By Elise Speiser.
“Change, Change, Change…” The opening song of Menopause the Musical, put on by the The
Westchester Theatre at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center sets the tone for this high-energy,
tongue-in-cheek musical. A parody of the 1967 song “Chain of Fools”, this version is sung by the show’s
cast of four women from different walks of life who all bond over their shared experience of menopause
– the ‘change of life’. This production by GFOUR Productions is directed by Seth Greenleaf and is running
until June 25 th .
Set in New York City’s Bloomingdale’s department store, the show follows a Soap Star (Adrianne Hick),
an Iowa Housewife (Terry Palasz), an Earth Mother (Amy Jo Phillips), and a Professional Woman
(performed by Enga Davis, Tauren Hagans, or Joy Lynn Jacobs, the last of whom this reviewer had the
pleasure to see) who all come together one fateful afternoon. Their journey up and down the various
floors of the store parallels the ups and downs of their shared journey through “The Change” which is
hilariously conveyed through musical parodies. Packed with twenty-four pop songs from the 60s, 70s,
and 80s, this show keeps a steady pace that leaves you no time to get bored. With such a wide variety of
songs, each of these ladies’ voices is given the chance to shine in various solos that highlight their
strengths and on occasion all four of them come together in beautiful and powerful harmony. Hick is
especially impressive in the hot flash-inspired parody of “Heat Wave”, and Phillips in “The Lion Sleeps
Tonight” which hilariously ribs at marital sleeping arrangement during menopause. Jacobs had several
moments with exceptional high notes, and Palasz continually slays with her physicality and
comedic timing.
The simple set transforms from department to department with the efficient use of moveable prop
pieces against an art deco inspired backdrop of doors. Theatrically, the show builds in the second half
with an increase in costuming, choreography and even lighting choices that keep things visually
interesting.
In the tradition of many musical compilation shows, it is narratively light but that is no detriment to this
endeavor. The point here is to bring people together, which it does on the stage with the characters and
off the stage with the audience. Whether you are a man or a woman, whether you are in this time of life
or not, you can’t help being drawn into the humor of what these ladies experience. So much more than
just observational humor about physical changes, this show also makes use of physical comedy, visual
gags, and even a touch of audience involvement. Whatever your style of humor, there’s something here
that is sure to make you laugh.
For those with families, it does bear noting that this show is not suitable for children due to the nature
of explicit sexual references.
Running Time: 90 minutes.
Menopause the Musical is playing at The Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Chappaqua, New York
until June 25th.