"MENOPAUSE: THE MUSICAL" RETURNS TO SOPAC

Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, Menopause: The Musical will return to New Jersey beginning Friday, September 17 (8 PM) at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (One SOPAC Way, South Orange) for a limited engagement September 17 through October 31. Presented by GFour Productions, single tickets for the tour-de-force revue are now on sale, with discounted prices for groups of 10+ available.

Written by Jeanie Linders, Menopause: The Musical has become an international phenomenon, having been seen by nearly 11 million people all over the world (13 countries and 250 cities!) since it debuted in a 76-seat perfume-shop-turned-theater in Orlando, Florida, in 2001.

Billed as “The Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change,” the original, off-Broadway musical begins with four women, “Professional Woman,” “Soap Star,” “Iowa Housewife” and “Earth Mother,” at a Bloomingdale’s lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace bra—and hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, chocolate binges, not enough sex, too much sex and day-to-day challenges with aging parents, aging children and aging partners.

The hysterical original South Orange cast will reprise their roles: Marsha Waterbury (housewife), Fredena Williams (professional), Sandy Rosenberg (Earth Mother) and joining the talented cast for this production, reprising her role from the Boston company, Kathy St. George (soap star).

They share their ups and downs through a collection of classic songs from the 60's, 70's and 80s. Disco hit “Stayin’ Alive” becomes “Stayin’ Awake,” Motown favorite “My Guy” is transformed into “My Thighs,” "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" switches to "In the Guest Room or on the Sofa, My Husband Sleeps at Night,” and “Puff The Magic Dragon” becomes the anthem to exercise, "Puff, My God I’m Draggin.’”

“It may not be Shakespeare, but our focus is different. We want to bring women together and empower them. This is an event—a happening,” says Kathi Glist, one of the show’s producers. “It resonates with just about any woman over 40, but it is enjoyed by all. And the younger women laugh just as hard,” she adds. “It’s a party every night!”

“The show has become a point of relating, a celebration of a life passage that launches women into a new exciting phase of their lives,” says Linders. “Most women know intuitively what every other woman is facing with the onset of the menopause. They talk about it with their friends and, on occasion with their spouses. But when they are in a theatre with hundreds of women, and they’re all shouting ‘That’s Me!’ then they know what they are experiencing is normal. They call it a sisterhood!”

Show times for Menopause: The Musical are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 PM with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 PM. Running time is 90 minutes without intermission. All tickets are $45 (service fees may apply). Purchase tickets online at: http://www.sopacnow.org/ or by calling: 973.313.ARTS (2787). Greater Discounts for Groups 10+ Call Group Sales Box Office: 1.800.223.7565. SOPAC is located at One SOPAC Way, South Orange.