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PAGE 2B - FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS Sunday, March JI. 2004 “The Full Monty” delivers, “Passion Play” at the civic center Hats off to the “The Full Monty.” The Broadway production based on the 1997 film gets it just right. Often hilarious and occa sionally poignant, the show quickly rose to the top of my Broadway scale. The ‘Average Joe’ Chippendale dancer sight-gags deliver, but surprisingly the dia log and lyrics are genuinely inspired as well. The show borderlines on risqud, but maintains its spirit of campy joy. Transplanted from Yorkshire to Buffalo, the Broadway rendi tion puts an American spin on the tale, but keeps its low-key charm. Six unemployed steel work ers are looking to find respectable jobs after the clos ing of their plant. After jealously witnessing their wives on a Chippendale "girls night out." they decide that if Buffalo women will fork over cash to see strangers, they would be willing to pay more to see ‘real men’ going the “Full Monty" The core six are great and there is something in each one that we can all relate to. The story is masterful as the characters must reclaim their masculinity through humilia tion and being willing to bare it all. All of us ‘normal’ people can relate. The result is three hours of genuine belly laughs and great music. While the cast occasionally under delivers on the promise of the music, you hardly miss a beat. In the end. “The Full Monty" turned out to be one of the best theater experiences I have had. with flawless execu tion and a great story that takes the film to the next level with out losing any of the charm. I highly recommend it. Broadway in Atlanta is on a roll, as their season ends with the blockbuster daddy of them Sawnee (Bailet ffieatre (Presents 51 Medfey of Classical & 'Modern 'Ba dets (Featuring guest artists Elena ‘Martinson & Andrei Ustinov And Broadway sefections from (grease, Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie more Tickets T" Performance Times Select Krogers I Friday, Mar. 26 ,b Humpus Bumpus I Bpm Sawnee School of Ballet tWm Saturday, Mar. 27 ,h sl2 Advance 2pm & Bpm sls At the door Sawnee Cufturaf Arts Center, Cumming (jeorgia For more information call: 770-887-0756 Ira Miller On the town Photo/Submitted “The Full Monty” is three hours of laughs and great music. all Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” which will play at the Fox Theatre on April 6-12 starring Lewis J Stadlen and Alan Ruck. Plus, they just announced their huge new 2004-05 season which features six more prom ising shows including "Oliver!," "Little Shop of Horrors,” "Hairspray," "Movin' Out," a Patti LuPone vehicle, and "Chicago” starting in October. Season Ticket packages start at $133 for all six shows and are on sale now at www.broad wayacrossamerica.com. • Whether you have experi enced Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of the Christ” or not, you should consider checking out “The Atlanta Passion Play” which plays at the Atlanta Civic Center during weekends through April 4. While the movie focused on Christ’ last day, this inspiring musical allows you to experi ence the life, death, resurrec tion. and ascension of Jesus Christ. The Passion Play is an incredibly professional produc tion with a cast of over 250 actors and a total of over 500 people involved in the produc tion, which is on par with the best of Broadway. It is very well done, and while the Crucifixion is promi nently presented, it is moving, but not to the level of the movie and may be a more palatable experience for younger kids that want to experience the Passion. I would still use caution, as the play is emotionally moving and may be too intense for those too young. It communicates the gravity and meaning of his death, but celebrates the joy that was his life as well. The Passion Play is a mis sion of First Baptist Church of Atlanta. Visit www.atlantapassion play.org for tickets and to see previews of this incredible event. The Atlanta Ballet return engagement of “Shed Your Skin - The Indigo Girls Project” opens Thursday. "Shed Your Skin” is one of the most coveted tickets in recent Ballet history and for good reason. The hour and 20 minute show is the most fun you will have at a Ballet and it is a true rare experience that must be had. Seeing the Indigo Girls per form live, accompanied by vibrant choreography by Margo Sappington is simply wonder ful. You will cherish every moment of the seven song pro duction and rumor is if you cheer enough. The Indigo Girls will perform an encore or two. The show opens with a mas terful performance of Allegro Brilliante. Get tickets while you still can. Philips Arena is being invaded by divas over the next week as Britney Spears with special guests Skye Sweetham and Kelis are coming on Tuesday, and the Verizon Ladies First Tour featuring Beyonce. Alicia Keys. Missy - ■ Town - Manta During th* H*>rt Two Woefa "1 S how DateVenuePrice Range The Full Monty Ends Today Fabulous Foxsls-$56 Babarthe Elephant Today Woodruff Arts Centersls Wolfsheim Tonight Masqueradesl9 Story of the Year , Tonight Cotton Clubsl4 Atlanta Passion Play Through 4/4 Allanta Civic Centerslo • S2O Brittney Spears w/ Skye Sweetnam 3/23 Philips Arenas4o,so - $76 The Altanta Ballet ■ Shed Your Skin The Indigo Girls Project 3/25 - 3/28 Fabulous Fox $23 54 - $67~4i Cirque Du Soliel Alegria 3/25-4/11 Cobb Galleria SSO-S7O Hot August Knights (Neil Diamond Cover Band) 3/26 Smith's Olde Barslo InSkPom 3/26 Wild Bill'ssl4-SIOO Blfe* Shelton 3/26 Cowboysslo-sls HI Nino 3/26 Masqueradesl4 Bejfonce_WAlicia_Keys 2 Missy Elliott, andTamia 3/28 Philips Arena $62 50 ■ $77 50 Elliot, and Tamia will be at the Arena next Sunday. Both shows are awesome spotlights of the best pop divas around and I am sure you will get more than your money’s Ejj j St. Columba’s Episcopal Church \l / at John's Creek J/e gave a lifetimefor you... Can jE you spare a Join St. Columba's Episcopal Church as we celebrate the most sacred time of the year Palm Sunday April 4,11:00 a.m. Blessing and procession of palms Maundy Thursday April 8,7:30 p.m. A quiet and moving liturgy Good Friday April 9,12:00 noon The Good Friday liturgy Easter Sunday April 11,10:00 a.m. Festive Worship Services Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00 am., Parish Reception 12:00 p.m. with brass quartet and soloists Temporarily Worshiping at South Forsyth Middle School at the corner of Old Atlanta and Sharon Roads 770-888-4464 www.saintcolumba.net I % Th! a * W’ | , , v ~ ißsßEKpff; S *JmAF » cfu/ftde &a//eiy Dont Miss This Rare Opportunity To Meet America's Most Beloved Artist Customers who purchase a new limited edition canvas in 2004 will receive: - 2 tickets to this exciting event. - Hear Thom’s inspiring message. - Have your canvas certificate signed. - Purchase special event merchandise. - Support World Vision charity. - A special signature & remarque on back. - A free gift at the event. Saturday, March 27th • 6:30-8:30 • Gwinnett Convention Center Tickets must be obtained at Parsons Gallery only! No tickets available at the door! Call Parsons Gallery for details about this exciting event. 770-888-9924 j ~~—< P kehnd Pl ’? Mon.-Fri. 10-7 Cumming, GA \vwvwpi GA 400 ® Hwy 20 ' _. 3 . Exit 14 Thomas KiNKWE Closed Sunday T < tynature buttery s 2 i worth in costume changes alone. For ticket availability and pricing call Ticketmaster at (404) 249-6400 or visit them online at www.ticketmaster- .com. Ira Miller may be reached by sending e-mail to ira.miller@adelphia.net. Ira Miller’s entertainent column appears every Sunday.