THE FULL MONTY, an independent British film, was "the little movie that could" at the 1998 Academy Awards, receiving nominations for Best Picture, director and screenplay. The small tale of a group of down and out guys was an international phenomenon, becoming, at that time, the most successful film in British history.

While the movie, set in the industrial town of Sheffield, had a decidedly English feel, the creators of the stage musical decided to change the locale to Buffalo, New York, which shares many of the same working class characteristics as Sheffield. Book writer Terrence McNally felt more comfortable with American lingo and locale. Joining McNally on the creative team were veteran director Jack O'Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who had started on Broadway as a performer, but was now making a name for himself as a choreographer. The one inexperienced member of the group was composer David Yazbek who was heretofore best known as the composer of the theme for the popular children's televison show Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?. Yazbek was suggested to O'Brien by another composer, Adam Guettel, who had passed on the project. Guettel knew that though Yazbek had never written for Broadway, he had the exact "edge" that the creators were looking for.

THE FULL MONTY had its out-of-town tryout at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego, where O'Brien also serves as Artistic Director. The show was generating such "buzz" that before it even opened, 98% of the tickets for the San Diego engagement were sold. On June 1, 2000, THE FULL MONTY opened to ecstatic reviews, and the same happened a few months later when it arrived in New York at the Eugene O'Neill Theater on October 26. Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote, "THE FULL MONTY is that rare crowd-pleaser that you don't have to apologize for liking. Memory-grabbing melodies, outlandish lyrics, delightful performers. Even those who go expecting to sneer are likely to be surprised by the smiles that keep sneaking onto their faces"

The original cast of THE FULL MONTY featured Patrick Wilson, Jason Danieley, John Ellison Conlee, Emily Skinner, Andre DeShields, Annie Golden and Kathleen Freeman. The show received 10 Tony Award nominations and played 770 performances on Broadway. In 2002, THE FULL MONTY opened in London's West End. It has also been seen in France, Italy and Canada, and throughout the United States on multiple national tours.

Highlights of Major Awards Won:

2001 Drama Desk Award Winner     Best Music -- David Yazbek

2001 Outer Critics Circle Award Winner     Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical -- Andre de Shields

2001 Theatre World Award Winner     Outstanding New Performer -- Kathleen Freeman

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Director (Musical) -- Jack O'Brien

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Actor (Musical) -- Patrick Wilson

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Choreographer -- Jerry Mitchell

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Orchestrations -- Harold Wheeler

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Actor (Featured Role--Musical) -- André De Shields

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Actress (Featured Role--Musical) -- Kathleen Freeman

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Book (Musical) -- Terrence McNally

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Actor (Featured Role--Musical) -- John Ellison Conlee

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Musical -- Producers: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Lindsay Law, Thomas Hall

2001 TonyŽ Award Nominee     Original Musical Score -- David Yazbek