Menopause the Musical
Encyclopedia
Menopause, The Musical debuted March 28, 2001 in Orlando, Florida
, in a 76-seat theatre that once housed a perfume shop. The original cast members were Shelly Browne as the Power (later Professional) Woman, Patti McGuire as the Iowa Housewife, Pammie O'Bannon as the Earth Mother and Wesley Williams as the Soap Star. The show was directed by Kathleen Lindsey.
The cast of four women shopping for lingerie at a Bloomingdale's
sale sing 25 songs about chocolate cravings, hot flashes, loss of memory, nocturnal sweats, and sexual predicaments. The lyrics parody popular music from the baby boomer
era, with notable numbers "Stayin' Awake" and "Puff, My God I'm Draggin'."
Written by Jeanie Linders, the show appealed to menopausal women, a market Linders felt neglected by mainstream fare, who helped the show blow the lid off the "silent passage" by flocking to the show in large numbers, often taking advantage of group sales promotions. The show's ensuing success Off-Broadway
led to a number of productions across the country produced both by Linders' TOC Productions (in such cities as Detroit, Chicago
, and Los Angeles
) as well as South Florida theatrical producers GFour Productions (in Boston
, Denver, and Las Vegas
, where it is currently housed at the Luxor Las Vegas).
Within a few years, international productions became commonplace, with shows in Australia, Canada, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea. Local references in the show are customized to the location of the performance; for example, the 'Iowa
Housewife' became 'Dubbo Housewife' in Australia and 'Waikato
housewife' in New Zealand; America's Bloomingdale's became Smith & Caugheys in New Zealand and Marks & Spencer
in London.
The show's official website claims that eleven million people have seen the show. A significant percentage of its audience consists of members of the Red Hat Society
.
The show is also known for its contributions to the fight against ovarian cancer, for which it staged a national fund raising tour, as well as raising awareness of menopause-related issues, most notably through the creation of the Jeanie C. Linders Fund. Donations toward the fund are collected at performances of the show through the sale of souvenir "hot flash fans."
, Great Britain
, Italy
, Australia
, New Zealand
, Canada
, and South Africa
.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, in a 76-seat theatre that once housed a perfume shop. The original cast members were Shelly Browne as the Power (later Professional) Woman, Patti McGuire as the Iowa Housewife, Pammie O'Bannon as the Earth Mother and Wesley Williams as the Soap Star. The show was directed by Kathleen Lindsey.
The cast of four women shopping for lingerie at a Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
sale sing 25 songs about chocolate cravings, hot flashes, loss of memory, nocturnal sweats, and sexual predicaments. The lyrics parody popular music from the baby boomer
Baby boomer
A baby boomer is a person who was born during the demographic Post-World War II baby boom and who grew up during the period between 1946 and 1964. The term "baby boomer" is sometimes used in a cultural context. Therefore, it is impossible to achieve broad consensus of a precise definition, even...
era, with notable numbers "Stayin' Awake" and "Puff, My God I'm Draggin'."
Written by Jeanie Linders, the show appealed to menopausal women, a market Linders felt neglected by mainstream fare, who helped the show blow the lid off the "silent passage" by flocking to the show in large numbers, often taking advantage of group sales promotions. The show's ensuing success Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
led to a number of productions across the country produced both by Linders' TOC Productions (in such cities as Detroit, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
) as well as South Florida theatrical producers GFour Productions (in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Denver, and Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
, where it is currently housed at the Luxor Las Vegas).
Within a few years, international productions became commonplace, with shows in Australia, Canada, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea. Local references in the show are customized to the location of the performance; for example, the 'Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
Housewife' became 'Dubbo Housewife' in Australia and 'Waikato
Waikato
The Waikato Region is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula, the northern King Country, much of the Taupo District, and parts of Rotorua District...
housewife' in New Zealand; America's Bloomingdale's became Smith & Caugheys in New Zealand and Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer
Marks and Spencer plc is a British retailer headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, with over 700 stores in the United Kingdom and over 300 stores spread across more than 40 countries. It specialises in the selling of clothing and luxury food products...
in London.
The show's official website claims that eleven million people have seen the show. A significant percentage of its audience consists of members of the Red Hat Society
Red Hat Society
The Red Hat Society is a social organization originally founded in 1998 for women age 50 and beyond, but now open to women of all ages. As of August 2010, there are over 40,000 chapters in the United States and 29 other countries.-History:...
.
The show is also known for its contributions to the fight against ovarian cancer, for which it staged a national fund raising tour, as well as raising awareness of menopause-related issues, most notably through the creation of the Jeanie C. Linders Fund. Donations toward the fund are collected at performances of the show through the sale of souvenir "hot flash fans."
Musical numbers
- Overture - Orchestra
- Change, Change, Change - Professional Woman, Earth Mother & Girls
- I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Professional Woman & Soap Star
- Sign of the Times - Earth Mother & Iowa Housewife
- Stayin' Awake/Night Sweatin' - Ensemble
- My Husband Sleeps Tonight - Earth Mother & Girls
- Hot Flash - Soap Star
- Drippin' and Droppin' - Earth Mother
- I'm Flashing - Professional Woman
- The Great Pretender - Professional Woman, Iowa Housewife & Girls
- Sane and Normal Girls/Thank You Doctor - Ensemble
- Lookin' for Food - Soap Star, Iowa Housewife & Girls
- Please Make Me Over - Soap Star
- Beauty's Only Skin Deep - Ensemble
- I'm Flashing (reprise) - Professional Woman
- Puff, My God, I'm Draggin' - Earth Mother
- The Fat Gram Song - Professional Woman & Girls
- My Thighs - Iowa Housewife & Girls
- Don't Say Nothing Bad About My Body - Soap Star & Girls
- I'm No Babe, Ma - Ensemble
- Good Vibrations - Earth Mother & Soap Star
- What's Love Got To Do With It? - Professional Woman & Girls
- Only You - Iowa Housewife & Girls
- New Attitude - Ensemble
- This is Your Day - Ensemble
- Exit Music - Orchestra
Reviews
- Leslie Fischer at chicagocritic.com recommends you "bring the waterproof mascara because you’ll laugh so hard, you’ll cry. With humor and compassion, writer, producer and lyricist Jeanie Linders has captured the experiences of Everywoman in her 40s and 50s. Remember all those great songs of the 50s, 60s and 70s--full of love and teenaged angst? Linders has rewritten their lyrics to reflect our mature experience, exploring the ways in which our bodies, our emotions and our spirits change with the Change. When you don’t recognize yourself in these hilarious lyrics, you’ll recognize a friend."
- Genessee Kagy of the Daily Californian wrote that "Menopause's collection of great oldies, clever tongue-in-cheek lyrics and entertaining dance routines prevented me from making any I-Need-Air trips to the restroom despite the fact that I hadn't felt like such a fraud since I turned eighteen-years old. Over 90 percent of the audience were women more than twice my age ... Linders' humorous new lyrics coupled to old favorites provide a good laugh. When the show ended, the entire audience was still clapping their hands to the final number, yelling and letting out whoops of approval."
- From the Baltimore Times-Herald: "'My Guy' becomes 'My Thighs,' 'I’m Sorry' transforms into 'I’m Flashing,' 'The Great Pretender' laments brain collapse, and 'A Sign of the Times' is 'looking in the mirror and seeing my mother.' Get the picture? It’s hilarious, good fun and the perfect destination for a girls’ treat out. (Judging from their guffaws, the handful of guys in the audience were enjoying it, too.)"
Notable Performers
- Megan CavanaghMegan CavanaghMegan Cavanagh is an American actress who portrayed the roles of Marla Hooch in A League of Their Own , Broomhilde in Robin Hood: Men in Tights , Essie in Dracula: Dead and Loving It and was the voice of Judy Neutron in Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Hilary Higgenbottom in The Mighty B!...
, best remembered as Marla Hooch in the Penny MarshallPenny MarshallPenny Marshall is an American actress, producer and director.After playing several small roles for television, she was cast as Laverne DeFazio in the sitcom Laverne and Shirley...
film A League of Their OwnA League of Their OwnA League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League . Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell...
has played the role of "Iowa Housewife" at Chicago's Apollo TheaterApollo TheaterThe Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
and overseas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as well as on various national tours.
- Paige O'HaraPaige O'HaraDonna Paige O'Hara is an American Broadway singer, actress, and Disney Legend best known for her voicework as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.-Personal life:...
, best known as the voice of Belle in Walt DisneyWalt DisneyWalter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
's Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast (1991 film)Beauty and the Beast is a 1991 American animated fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The thirtieth film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series and the third film of the Disney Renaissance period...
, is an original member of the Las Vegas cast, playing the role of "Soap Star."
- Stand-up comedian Judy TenutaJudy TenutaJudy Tenuta is an American entertainer, actress, comedienne, author, producer and accordionist.-Early life:...
has guest-starred in the Los Angeles and Chicago productions.
- 1980s pop star Cheryl BakerCheryl BakerCheryl Baker is an English television presenter and singer. She is most famous for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, and has performed for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, winning it the second time.-Early career:After leaving school and a series of secretarial jobs, Cheryl...
starred as "Earth Mother" in a 2009 UK tour.
- Queen Emily, a singer from Stockton, CA, who placed fifth in the 3rd season of America's Got TalentAmerica's Got TalentAmerica's Got Talent is an American reality television series on the NBC television network, and part of the global British Got Talent franchise. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of...
headlined the Las Vegas cast in 2009.
- Actor/recording artist Susan AntonSusan Anton-Youth:Anton attended Yucaipa High School in Yucaipa, California, and graduated in 1968. After high school, Anton attended San Bernardino Valley College...
, known for her work in film (Cannonball Run II) and television (Baywatch) appeared in the Las Vegas cast in the winter of 2010-11.
Other performance locations
The original Orlando production has played more or less continuously since the show's origin, most recently at the Plaza Theatre. The Off-Broadway production officially opened at Theatre Four on April 4, 2002, after a month of previews, and closed in the spring of 2006, logging more than 1500 performances. The show is running worldwide in diverse locations throughout the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.