coupon for alexander's on the bay

newsletter subscriptions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPOTLIGHT THEATRE February 2010


spotlight: theatre

The Heat Is On

Women celebrate the signs of menopause in world renowned
musical comedy.

By Kimberley Cuachon-Haugh

For years the topic has been taboo, but with the international success of Menopause The Musical, now in its ninth season, people are laughing lightheartedly at the inevitable truths of aging.

It all started with “a bottle of wine,” says writer and producer Jeanie Linders, “and a hot flash.”

This “meno-pausitive” theatrical production, coming to Virginia Beach’s Sandler Center Feb. 25–28, employs a cast of “real women who understand and can relate to the material,” says Linders. It presents four very different female personalities: the professional woman, who embodies the “you can be it all” Gloria Steinman attitude; the soap star, insecure with her aging appearance but proud as a peacock; the earth mother hippie trying to save the world; and the Iowa housewife who focuses on being a perfect wife and mother. Through each character, along with classic 60s, 70s and 80s musical parodies such as “Staying Awake” and “My Thighs,” the audience is given countless opportunities to laugh at the impossible things that your body expects you to keep up with.

The stage is set as a department store where the women meet at a lingerie sale. Poking fun at their new changes in life—forgetfulness, hot flashes, etc.—they come to realize that this new journey they are embarking upon should not be treated as a disease, but a joyous occasion.menopause the musical in hampton roads magazine

Besides being a hilarious show, Menopause has set the stage for the Jeanie C. Linders Foundation, which has produced and presented Outloud: Breaking the Silence of Ovarian Cancer tours to raise awareness about the disease known as the silent killer. Linders says she was inspired by a cancer survivor and Menopause fan to push through this initiative.

“Women tend to take care of everyone else other than themselves, and time is of the essence for survival with this disease,” she says.

And the popularity of her production throughout the world is another measure of her success.

“You should celebrate who you are and what you have become,” Linders says, “making the rest of your life, the best of your life.”

‘Menopause, the Musical’ will be at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Market St. in Virginia Beach from Feb. 25–28 with matinee and evening performances. Tickets start at $45. For show times and to purchase tickets visit www.sandlercenter.org or call 757-385-ARTS.HRM

 

 

facebook