Go See The Gateway’s Sizzling Revival of ‘The Full Monty’

Tired of Long Island's cold 2026 Arctic winter? Then The Gateway's hot, hot, hot production of the hilarious and heartwarming musical comedy "The Full Monty" is just what you need to jumpstart the spring season. This show features the beloved, Emmy Award-winning television star Sally Struthers, who received a massive round of applause when she stepped onstage. Struthers' incredible star power, combined with the over-the-top talents of Director and Choreographer Keith Andrews and the herculean efforts of the entire ensemble and creative team, made this an unforgettable night of theater!

"The Full Monty," a 2001 Tony-nominated Broadway musical, was adapted from Simon Beaufoy's 1997 British cult classic film. The movie was set in the struggling industrial city of Sheffield, England, and centered on a group of laid-off steelworkers desperate to find new ways to support themselves and their families. With a powerful score by composer and lyricist David Yazbek and a well-crafted book by the legendary Terrence McNally, the setting was moved to Buffalo, New York, making the characters' employment struggles more relatable to American audiences.

The show started off with a bang with Franco Bianchi's smoking-hot portrayal of Buddy "Keno" Walsh, a professional male stripper who dazzled the women of Buffalo during a Girls' Night Out at Tony Giordano's club. During one funny scene set in the men's room, the girls performed the showstopping cabaret tune "It's a Woman's World."

In contrast, while the girls just want to have fun, their disheartened men congregate at a union meeting to pick up their unemployment checks and break into a darkly comedic song, "Scrap," in which they share one depressing fact after another about the bleak state of their emasculating circumstances.

Broadway star Rory Max Kaplan, a phenomenal actor with impeccable comedic timing, excelled in the role of Jerry Lukowski, a laid-off steelworker eager to strengthen his relationship with his young son, Nathan, played by the rising star Gavin Gronenthal, who shares this pivotal role with Theo Crossley. Jerry's pragmatic ex-wife, Pam, brilliantly performed by Dakota Mackey-McGee, continually pressures him to pay his child support, prompting him to devise an outrageous plan to launch a male striptease act with a motley group of five other unemployed men. Kelly MacMillan was outstanding as Estelle, Jerry's hot-to-trot friend with benefits. Kaplan showcased his strong vocals throughout the evening, and his heartfelt rendition of the reflective solo "Breeze Off the River" was one of the show's highlights.

Clayton Howe delivered a memorable performance as Jerry's best friend, Dave Bukatinsky, whose feelings of inadequacy and body dysmorphia earned the audience's sympathy. Howe, a natural physical comic, drew some of the biggest laughs of the evening with his awkward dance moves, and Kaplan and Howe mesmerized the audience with their outstanding duet, "Man." Mia Gentile rocked the role of Georgie, Dave's adoring but frustrated wife.

Alex Fullerton was perfectly cast as the painfully shy Malcolm MacGregor, who Dave and Jerry rescued from gassing himself to death in his car. Fullerton, Kaplan, and Howe's spot-on delivery of "Big-Ass Rock," a catchy song jam-packed with gallows humor, had the audience roaring with laughter.

The audience got a kick out of the kind but dim-witted Ethan Girard, played by Justin Wolfe Smith, who commanded the stage with his high-octane performance. Fullerton and Smith had strong onstage chemistry, and their tender duet, "You Walk with Me," was one of the most poignant moments in the show.

Broadway veteran Ian Knauer delivered an award-worthy performance as Harold Nichols, a proud, educated man who hides his unemployment from his free-spending but loyal and devoted wife, Vicki, convincingly portrayed by the energetic and vivacious Emily Brockway.

E. Mani Cadet stole the show with his memorable portrayal of Noah "Horse" T. Simmons, a man whose actions proved that age is no barrier to joy or performance. Cadet captivated the audience with his smooth, sultry dance moves during his soulful delivery of the hilarious R&B-inspired song "Big Black Man."

Sally Struthers gave a flawless performance as Jeannette Burmeister, a chain-smoking, wisecracking, piano-playing retired showbiz veteran who understands that desperate times call for desperate measures. With her deadpan delivery and sassy attitude, she encouraged the men to step out of their comfort zones, shed their inhibitions, strut their stuff, and strip off their clothes. Act II started on a high note with Struthers belting out musical one-liners in a riotous rendition of "Jeanette's Showbiz Number."

Knowing that the original movie was set in England explains the meaning of the show's title: "The full monty" is a British idiom meaning "everything," "the whole nine yards," or "the whole shebang." In this show's context, that would mean the steelworkers strip down to their birthday suits, right? Perform butt naked? Do they? Go see for yourself! Just remember, this musical is known for having one of the most spectacular finales you'll ever see on any stage. This triumphant onstage moment, when the "Hot Metals" perform the celebratory striptease routine to "Let it Go," represents steadfast resilience, true courage, and a deep sense of camaraderie.

The entire ensemble brought their A-game to this stellar production, and a big round of applause goes to Miles D. Hanna, Timothy Hearl, Lance Jewett, Katie Luke, Franco Tomaino, and Crystal Renée Wright.

Content Warning: "The Full Monty" contains adult content and language and may not be suitable for all audiences. With that in mind, invite all your fun-loving, grown-up friends and family to come enjoy a fabulous, adult-focused theatrical experience! Performances run through April 12, 2026. For tickets, show schedules, and additional information, visit TheGateway.org or contact the Box Office by phone at 631-286-1133.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of "Grant Me a Higher Love," "Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships," and "Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic." Her full-length Music Drama, "Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music," is published by Next Stage Press.