Robin’s career has allowed him to direct more than 200 productions across the country, including the Phoenix Theatre (AZ), Walnut Street (PA), TUTS (TX), Utah Shakespeare, Carousel Theatre (OH) and many Chicago venues, including Chicago Shakespeare, Drury Lane Oakbrook and Evergreen Park, Northlight, Steppenwolf and his home away from home, Marriott Theatre.

Marc Robin has received 16 Jeff Awards (42 nominations), 11 “After Dark” Awards, three Ari’Zoni Awards and a Light Opera Works Lifetime Achievement Award.

The reason we are talking with Robin is because he is currently director-choreographer of “The Full Monty” at Marriott Theatre.

GAY CHICAGO: As a choreographer what was your first show?

MARC ROBIN: That I got paid for? That would be “Godspell” at the Clock Tower Dinner Theatre in Rockford, Illinois which was 25 years ago.

What was your first job directing a play?

“Jerry’s Girls” at the Rose Theatre.

Where is that?

At the Westin Hotel over by the airport.

You have directed a lot of shows at the Marriott Theatre, do you tell them what you want to do or how does it work?

They say these are the shows that we are thinking of doing next season. Do any of them excite you? When they said last year they were going to do “Full Monty,” I said please put my name on it, because it isn’t the typical show I would direct, which is a big song and dance show which is what I tend to do.

I have seen the movie and the show when it was first downtown a few years ago. The Marriott is a very intimate theatre. I was always told if you see “Full Monty” at a big theatre, sit on the sides and you will see the full monty. I would think that you will see everything at the Marriott, whether there are lights in your eyes or not.

That is true.

So you are really seeing the full monty?

Let’s put it this way. We really are doing the full monty. Whether you really see it or not will be determined how it all works out. We are not holding back with this show. This show isn’t about stripping, however, it is about letting go and allowing all of your barriers down. Hopefully people will know that its called the full monty and might see something.

I assume people know what’s going on when going in. Have you had any problems with any of the old ladies who buy season tickets?

You would be surprised. I just buy a subscription and go to everything. There is going to be a huge amount of people who are going to come and see stuff in the first five minutes that will mortify them when this really hot body male stripper who is going down to a thong or dental floss. Hopefully by the time we get to the end they will have seen so much by then, what is one more penis?

It’s just another one. So what can you tell me about you “The Full Monty” cast?

Other than I am in love with them all, this is the first time I have ever done this show but have seen it many times. Every time I have seen the show, it’s always about the guys if I enjoyed the show. All six of the guys in my cast are so individual and so unique and so charming that you just root for them. It happened the first day of rehearsal all six of them came in with the attitude that we want this to be the best it can be!

I have to go back to the naked part. Did you have any problems getting the cast naked?.

We made it very clear that this is what the show requires. It’s kind of like the people who have to gain 50 pounds for a role. At the call-back, we made them take their shirts off and start to take their pants off. There are people who think they can do certain things but when the moment of truth happens, they really can’t.

So you didn’t have to see them get naked first?

No, actually, not at all.

You are so professional, Marc!

Honestly, it was far more uncomfortable for me than it was for them, especially the auditions here. We did auditions in New York as well, because two of the cast members are from New York and with those guys I had no problems. Because I know the talent pool in Chicago so well, when guys I knew were taking off their shirts in front of me, it was creepy.

I have always been I don’t need to watch my friends have sex, but I am happy that you are.

Exactly. I don’t need to see them naked because I am never going to see them naked in full light anyway.

Since you have been awarded 11 “After Dark” Awards, what do you do with 11 awards?

You have your husband buy you a really pretty case and put them up in your office, and you brag about them! [Laughing]

I have worked at Gay Chicago for years, so when you hear that Marc Robin is directing a play, you just say I am going because it will be good!

You come to my house and walk into my office my awards are the first thing you see.

You are an honest person. People who say they keep them in their bathroom so they stay humble does not sound honest to me. Your resumé of plays that you have directed is like the who’s who of musical theatre. Is there anything you still want to direct?

I am sure there is. To this day, I have still not directed Hollis Resnick in a play.

How did that happen? Hollis is one of the hardest working girls in Chicago.

I know and she is a friend of mine. I have known her for 25 years. We joke about it all the time.

“The Full Monty” will be presented at The Marriott Theatre until September 21. To reserve tickets with a major credit card, call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847-634-0200 or visit www.marriotttheatre.com.

All questions can be sent to Danacaprina@aol.com.