‘Menopause The Musical’ Review: Great laughs, ton of fun
Cindy Williams, best known for playing Shirley Feeney on Lavern & Shirley, hosted the evening. She warmed up the crowd with a quick menopause driven stand-up routine. Hand fans in the fashion of which I remember from church as a child were sold to the audience before the start of the show. The proceeds from the sale of these “hot-flash-helpers” will be donated to Susan G. Komen®.
Four women with different backgrounds are brought together by a sale at Bloomingdales New York. The Professional Woman (Sandra Benton), Earth Mother (Ingrid Cole), Soap Star (Cherie Price) and an Iowa Housewife (Roberta B. Wall) begin their friendship with a tussle over a black bra. As they work through the floors of the department store they find that they have one big thing in common.
Common menopausal problems like insomnia, depression and moodiness, weight gain, and hot flashes are parodied with famous songs from our past.
“Staying Alive” becomes “Staying Awake” when the Earth Mother laments her insomnia. “I Wish They all Could be California Girls” transforms into “I Wish They all Could be Sane and Normal Girls” as they talk about depression and moodiness. “Help Me Rhonda” becomes “Thank you Doctor” when the pills come out. Cindy Williams and the Earth Mother win a mini-personal training session and “Puff the Magic Dragon” becomes “Puff, Good God I’m Dragging”.
There wasn’t a dull moment from the time Cindy stepped out till the very end when she invited all the women who have experience the joy of the change to join her and the cast on stage. The hilarity of it all was not missed by this late 30 something although I have not personally experienced this yet. Many of the women in the crowd have, and their peals of laughter were as contagious as the punch lines.
Menopause the Musical was great fun that will make you laugh so hard you’ll cry.
Overall Menopause the Musical receives 4 stars out of 5 stars
Add a star if you are a Menopause “survivor” – you may laugh yourself silly.
The runs at the Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall June 3- June 7 – get more information, buy tickets here
There are ton of great events slated at the Straz and other venues on campus: Get details here