I am not the kind of woman who goes to Chippendale's shows or enjoys male strippers. The few times I've been at bachelorette parties and seen them it's been sort of, well, gross -- and kind of embarrassing. I mean, dude, get a real job.

So, when I found out I won tickets to see "The Full Monty" at the Erie Playhouse, I had mixed emotions. Sure, I love the Playhouse and I love live theater, but...a show about male strippers? One thing was for certain; I wasn't taking my mom...or my husband. Fortunately, I have a good working-mom friend who was in need of a girls' night out.

To be honest, I expected to feel uncomfortable and embarrassed for the guys on the stage. I couldn't have been more wrong. It was positively hysterical. I laughed to the point of tears on at least three occasions. Really, is there anything funnier than an obese man in a red "banana hammock" g-string?

Until yesterday I'd have said, "Yes...about a 10,000 things." But, now I've seen The Full Monty and I have a whole new respect for male strippers and -- to paraphrase the show's final song -- for letting go and having a little fun.

The Full Monty is playing at the Erie Playhouse through next weekend -- including a special "Ladies Night" on Thurs., June 21. Tickets are just $12. Be aware that the show is -- obviously -- adult themed and contains brief nudity and more than a few F-bombs.