KITCHENER - Graham Duench is like the superman of community theatre: by day, mild mannered food inspector for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, by night a dynamic performer with an impulse to entertain.

Now, he's taken it a step further by adding stripper to his resum�. Though he's not divulging exactly how much of the naughty bits will be exposed in the upcoming K-W Musical Productions' The Full Monty - The Musical, which opens at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse on Thursday.

"I had a long discussion with my wife," said Duench, who performs the lead role of Jerry, a divorced dad about to lose access to his son because of his empty bank account. Taking on any role requires nights away from home, but The Full Monty had that additional requirement of doffing one's pants in public, hence he needed to make sure his wife, Jillian Duench, was in agreement.

"She's always been very supporting of my involvement with community theatre," he said. Perhaps because it is her fault he got into this business in the first place.

Jillian had been working backstage for the community theatre group since 1996 and was assistant stage managing Jesus Christ Superstar when she recognized an opportunity.

"One of the apostles got sick and my wife, then my girlfriend, said she knew someone who could sing," he said. "After that I was pretty hooked."

Duench already had a history in music.

At just three, his mother signed him up for piano lessons hoping to "keep me occupied." In high school, Duench grabbed every opportunity to be on stage and high school sweetheart, Jillian, knew he could belt out a tune. K-W Musical Productions provided a musical outlet.

Duench performed in K-W Musical Productions but took a hiatus while studying biophysics at the University of Guelph. After graduation, Duench was right back on stage. In fact, pretty much everything is a stage for Duench. When a good tune comes on his car radio, he sings along at full volume.

"I like to think I'm putting on a performance," said the 31-year-old father of an 18-month-old son. "I'm sure I look a little ridiculous."

Duench had limited formal vocal training. But according to Amanda Kind, singing coach and longtime K-W Musical Productions member, his talent is enormous. For this show, Kind is assisting music director Craig Fair on the difficult pop rock score.

"It's a blast getting these guys to channel their inner rock star," said Kind.

The Full Monty - The Musical is based on the 1997 British film The Full Monty, though this version takes place in Buffalo where Jerry and five of his misfit buddies decide the only way to make some quick money is mount a Chippendale type male strip show. The only problem is none of them have any experience.

In this case, art imitated life in terms of the guys' dancing abilities.

Roles are performed by an assortment of actors, each with varying levels of experience. Brenden Sherratt plays Dave, Dan Burjoski plays Harold, Khary Alexander plays Horse, Trevor Middleton plays Ethan and Eric Da Costa plays Malcolm.

Kind explained that Da Costa trained for musical theatre in New York, "so he is versed in most musical theatre styles. But the rest are totally green and it makes for some seriously funny stuff."

Choreographer Christine Watson is a professional dancer from Kitchener and was challenged with creating choreography that looks like dancing, but will be easier for these neophytes to pull off.

"I'm not a dancer," said Duench. "You hear of performers that are triple threats. I'm a double threat. That (dance) element, in my mind, is new to me. It's been a challenge."

Director Dan Payne is nevertheless impressed with the talent of the cast, particularly Duench.

"Graham is a natural talent," said Payne. "He's a genuine nice guy with the comedic charisma of Adam Sandler and a voice that gives Bon Jovi a run for his money."

Payne also talked about Duench's deeply moving solo, Breeze off the River, sung while watching a sleeping Nathan, played by Conor Bergauer, last year's Tommy in the Stratford Festival production of Tommy.

Duench said he really feels for his character, and can only imaging the terrible pain of being pulled away from a child you love. That song resonates with him, even off stage.

"I find myself singing to my son," he said.

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The Full Monty - The Musical runs for eight performances from Feb. 13 to 22.

"I enjoy my job, but this is my passion," said Duench.

K-W Musical Productions

The Full Monty - The Musical

Feb. 13 - 22, St. Jacobs Country Playhouse,

Tickets $35 + HST

Box office 519-747-7788 or online: www.kwmp.ca

