by Gil Benbrook
You have to hand it to Jeanie Linders. Her show Menopause, the Musical struck a chord when it first premiered in 2001 and has gone on to have countless productions across the globe ever. Linders’ simple lyrics adorn popular songs from the 1960s to the 1980s and the show is a fun, joyful experience. And the overall message of the musical of empowerment and owning up to what life deals you is something both women and men can relate to.
Linders’ premise for the show is very simple – four women meet when fighting over sale bras in the lingerie department of Bloomingdale’s, discover they have a lot in common, and bond over a day of shopping throughout the store. Over the course of the 90 minute musical, the ladies talk and sing about the many changes they are experiencing once they’ve hit the menopausal years – from night sweats to weight gain, lack of sex drive to hot flashes. Linders’ idea to use popular songs with rewritten lyrics is a good one, since familiarity of the music turns them into toe tappers. She turns "Chain of Fools" into "Change of Life," “Heat Wave” into “Hot Flash,” "Stayin' Alive" becomes "Stayin' Awake" and "Night Fever" is now "Night Sweatin'."
With topics that anyone can identify with, whether you’ve been through menopause or not, like memory loss, restlessness and mood swings, Menopause, the Musical manages to be a show for just about everyone.
The tour of the show comes to the Orpheum Theatre for five performances this weekend and two of the ladies in the cast sat down to answer some question about the show
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Anise Ritchie (Professional Woman):
How long have you been with Menopause The Musical?
16 years+
What do you think makes Menopause The Musical one of the most successful touring off-Broadway shows in history?
Many women can relate to what all women have to go through in their life. It becomes a sisterhood. When women come to see our show, they come in as strangers, but after the show they leave as friends. It’s truly exciting to see.
What is your favorite number to perform in Menopause The Musical and why?
There are many many moments. Here are two of my favorites…. “My Guy” (Temptations) to My Thighs -Menopause The Musical … “Heat Wave” (Peggy Lee) to Hot Flash-Menopause The Musical. Come out to see the show. There are so many…. all women can relate where they can pick their favorites. However, there is a song close to the end of the show I cannot tell you about… that will make the audience react with excitement!!!!!! Come see the show and find out!!!!!
What can audiences expect to take away from this show?
A sense of “Empowerment “ for women …to embrace what is going on in their life creating a sisterhood which cannot be broken for all women who will all go through the CHANGE and come out on the other side Enlighten as a Sisterhood.
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Nancy Slusser (Iowa Housewife):
How long have you been with Menopause The Musical?
"I’ve been with the show for 21 years. I joined the Off-Broadway cast in April of 2002 as the Dance Captain and U/S of Soap Star, Iowa Housewife & Earth Mother. I did take an 11-year break in 2008 when I got pregnant with my twins, returning to Menopause in 2019."
What do you think makes Menopause The Musical one of the most successful touring off-Broadway shows in history?
"Heart This show is filled with Love, empathy for ourselves and others and a joy at realizing we are all on this journey together. It’s such a clever, fun way of looking at real-life situations we all experience through a comic and touching lens. "
What is your favorite number to perform in Menopause The Musical and why?
When I’m playing the Iowa Housewife- Only You. It is Iowa’s finale to her journey through the show with the help of her newfound friends. It’s a song with pure fun and Joy. As Soap Star - it’s a tie. I’m Having A Hot Flash Reprise & Please Make Me Over. Soap realizes it is Ok to age & that she is still sexy and has a lot to offer. As Earth Mother - Puff My God I’m Dragging! Earth has fun realizing she can’t keep up with what the young ones are doing with exercise…but she’s Ok & is still on the game! She does it her way!!
What can audiences expect to take away from this show?
"Audiences will laugh & perhaps even tear up at some of the hilarious & poignant moments we explore as we talk about ourselves, our lives, and our families. They will take away a Pride in the Sisterhood we all share and they will feel better about themselves and their lives. And hopes as they encounter their lives in the future - they can chuckle and relax about all of life’s inevitable challenges and changes. It is a privilege to age with grace and humor! "
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