Applaud for “Menopause the Musical.” The 90-minute musical offers baby boomers surviving “the change” a worthy soundtrack for their woes. Stellar comedic performances and re-lyricized pop songs from the ?60s, ?70s and ?80s drive the cheeky musical penned by Jeanie Linders.
“Menopause” opens in a Bloomingdale?s sale frenzy when the four characters meet over a black lace bra. As promised by the title, the show reveals the notorious sleepless nights, mood swings, memory lapses, libido downers and, of course, hot flashes or “personal summers” associated with menopause.
Characters share their “change of life” experiences throughout a day in Bloomie?s salon, ladies room and specialty departments. Written in caricature form for the stage, the characters are never named other than in the playbill as the Iowa Housewife (think Rose Nylund of “The Golden Girls”), the fierce Power Woman (suited up, of course), the Earth Mother (waving peace signs) and the Soap Star (cleavage up and out).
Their relatively quick journey from strangers to friends is believable thanks to a well-developed script, credible acting and the actors? chemistry. “Menopause?s” casting agents deserve a chocolate binge for their choices. The musical?s basic choreography, influenced by ?60s girl groups, occasionally borders on the mundane. However, the clever lyrics, strong voices and humorous G- to X-rated props and accessories outshine the limited steps.
Highlights include when the ladies swarm the Earth Mother to dance as Wild Kingdom beasts and the Power Woman?s rump-shaking Tina Turner impersonation.
A three-piece band offstage occasionally drowns out the players? voices, but the sound level rescinds in time for the hysterical, show-stopping numbers: “Only You,” sung by the housewife, Monica Lijewski, and a sultry “Heat Wave,” by the aging vixen, Soap Star Jennifer Timberlake.
All four menopausers get laughs, but Lijewski stands out as true comedian of the group. She wrestles with a black teddy and demurely learns the way of a vibrator, inciting roaring laughs from the entire audience ? including a handful of men.
As most comedies do these days, “Menopause” occasionally thrusts audience members into the spotlight for surprised giggles and genuine cackles. Because a night with menopausing ladies isn?t complete without a teary moment, the actors flex their dramatic muscles for a number about aging parents.
More than 8 million women have seen “Menopause the Musical” since its Florida debut in 2001. After seeing the Baltimore version, it?s easy to understand why.
IF YOU GO
?Menopause the Musical?
» Venue: The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center?s M&T Bank Pavilion 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore.
» Time: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays
2 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays
Through Sept. 2
» Tickets: $65 ticket includes dinner and cocktail table seating
$45 ticket includes reserved theater seating
