A Man at "Menopause the Musical"

I have to admit that after finding my seat in the Jeanne Rimsky Theater on Thursday night, to watch a performance of “Menopause the Musical”, I did sneak a peek at the audience to see if I was the only guy in the place. (I wasn't, but it was close.)

The show, a comedy about four women who meet over the lingerie counter at Bloomingdale's, describes their lives after, “The Change of Life”. More cabaret than musical theater, there really isn't much of a plot, it consists of familiar songs from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's with cleverly re-written lyrics interspersed with hilarious set pieces. It's campy and over the top but with that title what else would you expect. Menopause, by the way, is not some sort of theatrical device or metaphor. You get songs about hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness, and food cravings. The ladies let it all hang out. The show is, at times, mildly risque so if you're on the prudish side, be forewarned.

The very talented cast of Stacie Greenwell as “Professional Woman”, Shorey Walker as “Soap Star”, Dee Etta Rowe as “Earth Mother”, and Lydia Gladstone as “Iowa Housewife”, sing, dance, laugh, and comfort one another through a high energy 90 minutes. While Ms. Greenwell's vocals stand out, all four are very, very funny. Highlights for me were, “The Great Pretender”, about memory lapses and “Puff, My God I'm Draggin'”.

The book and lyrics are by Jeanie Linders who says, “The show has become a point of relating, a celebration of a life passage”. Its strength is in the shared experience of the characters and the audience. As a much as I can sympathize, I'm not able to fully, “get it.” But that's OK. If you're a woman over, say 39, you will. My advice? Leave your husband at home in front of the tube, grab your girlfriends, and go see “Menopause the Musical”. You'll have a blast.


“Menopause the Musical” is playing at the Jeanne Rimsky Theater at the Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington, New York, through September 4. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. For tickets, $45 each, visit www.MenopauseLongIsland.com or call (516)717-3990. Group discounts are available.