The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical
We braced ourselves when we heard that a musical version of the  popular movieThe Full Montywas in the works--recent movie  adaptations have not exactly set new quality standards for Broadway.  WhileTerrence McNallydid a fine job with the book (transferring the action from industrial England  to Buffalo), special kudos should go to newcomerDavid Yazbek, who  wrote a versatile and gloriously fun score. A million miles away from the  higher brows of aMichael  John LaChiusaor anAdam Guettel, Yazbek's  sensibility is unabashedly pop. His songs serve  narrative purposes but are also the kind of tunes you  can sing in the shower. And the cast gleefully sinks its teeth into Yazbek's  rock/pop/funk score: Emily Skinner is hilarious on "Life with Harold, and  André de Shields positively steals the show with "Big Black Man."  Finally, a new show where you're not ashamed to enjoy  yourself.--Elisabeth Vincentelli