Venice Theatre is setting the stakes high this season with its latest production of the bawdy musical, The Full Monty. Adapted for the stage from the Oscar-winning film following the comedic travails of six recently unemployed men who find their inspiration in a travelling band of Chippendales, VT’s take is an energetic, humorous and charmingly edgy performance with a boldness one can’t help but admire.

Swapping out England for Buffalo and injecting some song-and-dance, the story easily translates from the screen to the stage and VT director/choreographer Brad Wages deftly toes the line throughout with cheeky abandon, surprising the audience and making them truly wonder, "Will they go all the way?"

“Brad is an amazing talent. He understands the genre and everything that the show needs to be,” said actor James Bock, who plays Jerry Lukowski, ringleader of the misfit group. For Bock, the challenge wasn’t the light wardrobe but the emotional weight. “It’s not so much about stripping as it is these guys and how far will they go for their families.”

Just as central to the story is the growing bond among the disparate crew. Although their characters may be thrown out of their comfort zones, actors Rik Robertson, Joseph Giglia, Brian Graziani and others seem far from it as they sing, twirl and tease across the stage.

“It’s light and it’s fun, but there are also some wonderful moments and characters with a lot of heart,” said Bock. “Everybody here is just wonderfully talented and they’re doing as good theater here as I’ve done.”

The Full Monty runs until Nov. 30 on the Venice Theatre Mainstage.