Review: MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL at Westchester Broadway Theatre
Many moons ago, my mother raved about a musical she experienced with a group of her closest gal friends. When she told me the title, "Menopause, the Musical," I burst out laughing. How could I relate to that concept and how would that constitute a good time at the theatre? Well, fast forward ten-fifteen years, and here I am, in the audience of Westchester Broadway Theatre's host GFOUR Productions' touring, often hilarious and entertaining, production - surrounded by compadres and relating to pretty much everything presented
.The fact that even in the program, Jeanie Linders, who wrote the book and lyrics, states that all the musical numbers are being "lovingly parodied." By taking songs from the '60s, '70s and '80s to spread the message of womanly changes after a certain age, Ms. Linders touches on all symptoms of womanly changes. Nights sweats, brain fog, weight gain. "I heard it through the Grapevine, just about to lose my mind." Who would think that those lyrics would work so well in that context?
The plot is quite simple. Four women from different walks of life meet at Bloomingdale's and proceed to fight over a black bra. The professional woman, Donna J. Huntley, who growls like Tina Turner when she lets her hair down, the earth mother, Megan Cavanagh, who is all namaste, the Soap Star, Debby Rosenthal, who tries to hold onto her youth, and the Iowa housewife, Roberta B. Wall, who always must go to the bathroom.
That pretty much sums of the plot. What is truly a hoot is watching them go through the creative choreography like John Travolta to The Supremes. Each actress has vocal stamina and dance moves that rival woman half their ages. The set design by Bud Clark gives the Westchester Broadway Theatre a backdrop to replicate Bloomingdale's. The structure of the stage is minimal, but Seth Greenleaf has directed his actresses to be the focal point.
"Menopause the Musical" is a rousing good time, if you are looking for a lively group night out with like-minded friends. The audience was clearly were eating everything up and even the groan-worthy moments were met with thunderous laughter and applause. The show runs with no intermission, but that did not matter. At ninety minutes, I learned and I laughed plenty!
NATIONAL TOUR OF MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL® PLAYS ELMSFORD, N.Y.
Limited engagement February 28 - March 24
at Westchester Broadway Theatre
Westchester Broadway Theatre |broadwaytheatre.com| 914-592-2222
Dinner & Show range between $59.00 to $89.00 PLUS TAX depending on the performance chosen.
Beverage Service & Gratuities are not included in the ticket price.
Discounts are available for children, students, and senior citizens at selected performances.
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