Menopause The Musical, the longest-running scripted musical in Las Vegas history, is exactly what you think it is: a musical about hot flashes, mood changes, sleep problems and all that good stuff that comes with menopause. And being a musical, it is all set to music. Great music, if I must say: all of the songs you know and love from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
I recently had the chance to see it in the National Tour at The Westchester Theatre, playing at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center and had a blast singing along to some of my favorite songs. The story centers around four women who meet by chance at Bloomingdale’s. They are: a housewife from Iowa, a soap opera star, an “earth mother” and a businesswoman. The women realize they are all at various stages of menopause and share laughs, angst and everything in between.
Although the plot isn’t very heavy, the songs are what make the show such a hit: over two dozen famous hits, with the lyrics changed to reflect various symptoms that women of a certain age go through. Hits such as “Staying Awake” instead of the Bee Gees’ hit “Staying Alive,” and “Thank You Doctor” instead of “Help Me Rhonda” by the Beach Boys. You get the point.
Nothing is glossed over in this show. Hot flashes, anti depressants, and even some pretty raunchy stuff that can’t be printed here. It’s all discussed and laughed at – because we might as well laugh. The show was incredibly funny and the energy was contagious. The audience, which was mostly women, roared with laughter. Leaving the show, you couldn’t help but feel a camaraderie with the other women. We may all go through this, but at least we’ll go through it together and laugh at it.
Menopause The Musical is playing until June 25 at The Westchester Theatre at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center (480 N. Bedford Rd, Chappaqua, NY.) Performances are Wednesday, June 22 at 2pm and 8pm; Thursday, June 23 at 2pm and 8pm, Friday, June 24 at 8pm; Saturday, June 25 at 3pm and 8pm. Price is $49 and up. Masks are required.
Visit www.thewestchestetheatre.com to learn more and to purchase tickets.
Photos courtesy of GFour Productions
I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary tickets. All opinion is my own.
Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 15, 13 and 9.
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