Photo Flash: THE FULL MONTY Singapore

"The polished nature of the production is testament to the amount of experience, professionalism and talent of the people involved. Everything from the music, the sets, the lighting, to the acting exceeded all my expectations and set a very high standard for all future Pangdemonium! Productions," Kirsten Han of The Online Citizen said in her review of the Broadway musical "The Full Monty" playing Drama Center Theatre in Singapore 'til Sunday, July 4, 2010.

"The Full Monty" is the Americanized stage adaptation of 1997 British film turned sleeper hit of the same title, featuring a fascinating and brutally frank book written by Terrence McNally, and a jazz-tinged score created by David Yazbek.  The musical is set in Buffalo, New York, which follows the everyday struggles with poverty of six desperate and unemployed steelworkers, and the greatest sacrifices they have to make for their families.

The Tony-nominated musical premiered at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California. It subsequently opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on October 26, 2000 playing 770 performances.

Although the piece had been staged in other Asian countries like Korea, Japan and Hong Kong already, the production that opened at the Drama Center Theatre on June 18, 2010 was the first one in Singapore.  "The Full Monty" here is mounted by real-life couple and UK-trained theatre practitioners Adrian and Tracie Pang under their newly-established family enterprise christened as Pangdemonium Productions Pte Ltd.  The company sets its eyes on "creating English-language works which are accessible, relevant, inspiring, challenging, and above all, of the highest artistic and entertainment value - (the company) aims to bring their work to a diverse audience, in a league with the very best of theatre internationally."

In "The Full Monty", Mr. Pang also assumes the male lead role of Jerry Lukowski. This production, interestingly, features the Pangs' real-life sons Zac and Zander, who alternately play the role of Jerry's child Nathan in the musical.

Apart from the Pangs, the musical showcases professional theatre talents from both the UK and Singapore stage that include Andy Hockley (Dave), Hossan Leong (Malcolm), Daniel Jenkins (Harold), Lim Yu-Beng (Ethan), Ebi Shankara (Horse), George Tan, Celine Rosa Tan, Denise Tan, Carina Hales, Candice de Rosario, Jo Tan, Seong Hui Xuan, Richard Sia, Darius Tan, Andrew Lua, Rishi Budhrani, and Filipino musical theatre actress Sheila Francisco (Jeanette).

Directed by Mrs. Pang, the production team is comprised of Babes Conde as musical director, Bill Calhoun as choreographer, Philip Engelheart as production designer, Mac Chan as lighting designer, Shah Tahir as sound designer, and Haslina Ismail as hair and makeup designer.

For tickets to "The Full Monty" in Singapore, contact SISTIC at 6348-5555 or visit www.sistic.com.sg.