If you were desperate enough, would you bare it all?

That is the question the six men in "The Full Monty" face after the Buffalo, N.Y., factory where they work closes and they are forced to deal with the challenges that come with being unemployed.

Family, friendship, money, growing older, increased responsibilities, the search for love, following your dreams -- these are themes almost anyone can identify with. And this is exactly what makes "The Full Monty," now playing at the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford, N.Y., such an enjoyable time at the theater. And that's without even mentioning the cast of lovable characters who populate this vision of Buffalo.

When the guys, led by Jerry Lukowski, a father at odds with his ex-wife over unpaid child support, see how much their wives enjoy a "girls' night out" watching strippers at a local club, an idea is born for them to do their own stripper act, one that will appeal more to the ladies because they are more "real" than the glossy, toned Chippendales' bodies their wives have been watching. They see this as the chance to make enough money to get their lives on the right track.

Jerry and his overweight best buddy, Dave Bukatinsky, assemble a ragtag group to beef up their striptease act. Among the best they round up are "Horse," an over-the-hill "big black man"; Malcolm, a mama's boy who is on the verge of self-discovery; Harold, their former boss at the factory; and Ethan, who can't sing or dance, but makes it into the show after proving that he has the "goods" to impress the ladies.

The scheme to strip down to their birthday suits is devised after the women challenge the guys as to what they will offer that the Chippendales don't. This leads the men on a road to conquering their self-consciousness and fears, and improving other aspects of their lives along the way.

"The Full Monty" is a show with a lot of heart, and the heart of this production is the tender, yet comic performances of the six down-and-out men. Peter James Zielinski, as Jerry, brings warmth to his character's love for his son, the driving force behind his plan to drop trow. The relationship between father and son is unorthodox, as little Nathan helps plan the strip show, yet seen through a child's eyes, the boy is doing what he needs to do to help his father succeed. This provides for several tender moments that Zielinski plays with great compassion. And musically, the actor pulls off all the show's witty, poignant tunes, a highlight being "Big-Ass Rock," during which Jerry and Dave sarcastically offer to aid Malcolm in his attempted suicide by beating him over the head with said object. Zielinski really shines, though, when he is allowed to belt at the top of his lungs, sounding like a young Ted Neeley.

And not to forget the women behind this story: Georgie (Caroline B. Younger) and Vicki (Amy Barker) are forces for their husbands to reckon with. At the same time, they help their men overcome their insecurities. Barker is a laugh a minute as the former factory boss' wife who has been kept in the dark about her husband's layoff. Her obliviousness is both charming and sympathy-enducing. And Younger's '80s-inspired wardrobe sets the tone of her character perfectly.

Constant comic relief is provided in Brian Gligor as Ethan, who is more than excited to tear his clothes off knowing that he is packing more heat in his pants than the rest of the men, and Jeanette as the showbiz vet who provides piano accompaniment and acts as mother hen to the boys. Patti Mariano plays the role like a more glamorous Sophia from "The Golden Girls," always ready with a witty story about the past and never afraid to share an off-color comment. She sums up the importance of what these men are about to do during the auditions when she tells Jerry, "You're offering them more than a job. You're offering them hope."

Director and choreographer Richard Stafford expertly reins in the production for the smaller theater. It felt like nothing was compromised in the show's translation from Broadway to this smaller stage.

And the question that everyone wants the answer to -- do they or don't they? The answer is yes, and no. Let it just be known that when the time comes, the G-strings drop to the floor in a hysterical and tasteful ending.

"The Full Monty" is based on the 1997 British film of the same name. In 2000, it was made into a Broadway musical, with the setting changed from Sheffield, England, to Buffalo.

The production, with a book by Terrence McNally (best known for "Love! Valour! Compassion!" and "Ragtime") and music and lyrics by David Yazbek, opened in October 2000 and ran for two years. It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning none.

"The Full Monty" runs through Nov. 19 at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford, N.Y. Dinner-show package prices, $59.06 to $77. Bar and new specialty dessert menu, served during intermission, are extra. Tickets and performance times, 914-592-2222; www.broadwaytheatre.com. Note: The show will have a return engagement Dec. 28-Jan. 20.