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Nine years ago, when "The Full Monty" debuted on Broadway, it had the unfortunate timing of opening the same year as "The Producers" and never got the exposure it deserved. Happily, theatergoers can get a second look, thanks to the Paper Mill Playhouse's terrific production featuring the inimitable Elaine Stritch. This is a "Full Monty" that rises to expectations.

Based on the 1997 British film of the same name, the musical version moves the setting to Buffalo, N.Y., a depressed city where unemployment is rampant and money is scarce.

The protagonist Jerry, a newly laid-off steelworker who's divorced and in arrears, needs to make some fast cash or he loses custody of his young son. When he discovers one day that a Chippendales show draws a big crowd of women willing to pay almost anything for a titillating thrill, he recruits his best friend Dave to mount their own strip show.

Terrence McNally's book mines all the humor and pathos from this crazy scheme. Like a male version of Lucy and Ethel, the more foolish the plan, the more endearing Jerry and Dave become. Enter a motley crew of four equally desperate souls willing to bare all for the quick money, and "The Full Monty" takes off beautifully.

David Yazbeck's score is an added delight. Upbeat, offbeat and thoroughly hummable, it cleverly captures the nutty soul of this show with its variations on the themes of manhood, self-esteem and family.

The entire cast is excellent. Wayne Wilcox's Jerry and Joe Coots' Dave are super-sized talents. Jenn Colella and Michele Ragusa as a couple of spitfire wives also stand out and Milton Craig Nealy as Horse is sensational.

Elaine Stritch provides the icing on the cake, or rather the froth on the beer. In the tiny role of Jeanette, the feisty rehearsal accompanist, she is divine, devoring the spotlight with understated perfection. Her timing and presence are incomparable.

Hats off to director Mark S. Hoebee and Choreographer Denis Jones for shaping a Broadway-caliber production that bares all, most especially its great big heart.