We braced ourselves when we heard that a musical version of the popular movie The Full Monty was in the works--recent movie adaptations have not exactly set new quality standards for Broadway. While Terrence McNally did a fine job with the book (transferring the action from industrial England to Buffalo), special kudos should go to newcomer David Yazbek, who wrote a versatile and gloriously fun score. A million miles away from the higher brows of a Michael John LaChiusa or an Adam 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