The highs and lows of menopause might be cause for concern in real life, but at least in “Menopause: The Musical,” the actresses on stage know how to make you laugh about it. And laugh, and laugh, and laugh some more.
That’s what Alhambra Theatre & Dining’s latest musical is all about, after all — four women coming together at the giant Bloomingdale’s location (which they lovingly refer to as “Bloomie’s”) in the heart of New York City and finding common ground about their experiences with menopause in a lighthearted way. The kind of way that involves singing about hot flashes, dancing through the midnight cravings and an eye-opening experience at an intimates store.
It’s a slightly raunchy, rowdy and riveting exploration of the communal experience that these four characters share in a department store bathroom, where they’d otherwise be completely unconnected with one another.
The jukebox musical features altered versions of classic songs, such as “My Husband Sleeps at Night,” a parody of The Tokens’ song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” and “Babe,” a parody of Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe.”
Despite two full acts and several changing set pieces, this comedic display of womanhood only features four characters and four cast members. There’s the “Professional Woman,” played by Millicent (Penny) Sylvester, who deals with the pressure of her high-powered New York career while experiencing the beginnings of menopausal memory loss. Then there’s the “Soap Star,” played by Cathy-Merkel Roddy, who’s an aging television starlet that struggles with losing roles to younger actresses. There’s also the “Earth Mother,” played by Lisa Valdini Booth, who takes a more holistic approach to menopause. Lastly, there’s the “Iowa Housewife,” played by Dina Barone, who comes to New York City from her small town and shares her familial changes, amid the changes happening in her own body.
Executive Chef DeJuan Roy whips up an exciting three-course meal full of salads, tomato bisque, sweet tea poached salmon, chicken piccata, chocolate cake, ice box pie and much, much more.
You can catch “Menopause: The Musical” at Alhambra now through Feb. 15.
