Courtesy https://mhmtheatre.com/

By Lisa Parent

‘Moments of brilliance’ in Medicine Hat Musical Theatre’s upcoming production, says director

Sep 28, 2023 | 5:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat Musical theatre will once again be taking the stage this fall. In just under a month, they will be showcasing “The Full Monty.”

Becky Grewer is the director of The Full Monty and has been working to bring this production to the stage for a year.

“There are just some prize moments in this show. I don’t want to give anything away, but aside from the three seconds at the end that everybody talks about, there are just some moments of brilliance,” says Grewer. “This show has an awful lot of glimmer points.”

The musical follows men working in a factory that have been laid off and struggling to make ends meet.

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“I just thought that’s as poignant and important a concept now as it was in the 80’s when it was written. I think it means every bit as much now as it did back then so I thought well, it’s time to hear that story again,” explains Grewer.

However, the story takes a turn when the laid-off factory workers turn to stripping to make some extra cash.

“There is a lot of adult themed humor and a lot of innuendo within the show,” says Grewer.

One of the characters in the show is Dave, who happens to be played by Dave Cannon from Medicine Hat.

“My Dave character, as well as most of the male characters in the show, we’re all out of work steel workers,” explains Cannon.

Cannon says the show is set a few years ago, which means there are older ideologies. The men in the story have to be the “providers” and bring money in for their families.

Medicine Hat Musical theatre puts on about four shows each year between October and May. Tristan Glasier is a member of the tech team and says this show may offer a unique experience.

“We do have upgrades, especially to the lighting and sound more recently. So if you’ve been to the playhouse before and now you’ve come to see another show you’ll say, ‘oh, this sounds really good.’”

Glasier says countless hours are spent behind the scenes creating the set and rehearsing to create a smooth show for spectators. All of these hours of work, worth it to those who love the arts.

“It’s only to really receive the applause as a volunteer,” Glasier says. “Of course, we don’t get paid. So we just get to put our stuff out there and receive that applause from our audience.”

All ticket sales fund future productions and theatre improvements. The show runs October 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 and November 2, 3, 4. Shows start at 8:00pm.

“I just think everyone should come out to see it, cause it’s just a feel good show,” says director Becky Grewer.

Tickets can be purchased here.