Theater Reviews

Mar 6, 2009 - "Menopause The Musical" about change is at Reno's Eldorado Hotel Casino

By Jack Neal

A day in the life of four women shopping at Bloomingdales “and” going through “the” change makes “Menopause The Musical” a must-see for women, and not a bad escape for men with a wife at home suffering from hot flashes - or exploding with a bad case of PMS.

The show - a beautifully crafted revue – is filled with loads of wit, bits of angst, and oodles of golden oldies (songs in addition to the cast) laced with humorous and timely new lyrics by Jeanie Linders.

The four first-rate performances by Skye Miles (Professional Woman), Lisa Fox (Soap Star), Dee Etta Rowe (Earth Mother) and Annette Verdolino (Iowa Housewife) are the icing – a rich, fabulous icing – on this hilariously entertaining show that most likely would have, during America’s long-past Victorian era, been banned in Boston.

The plot is paper thin, but who cares?

Four ladies go on a shopping spree at Bloomingdales and chat (gossip, really) via familiar pop and disco songs emboldened with Ms. Linders’ always delightful, occasionally brilliant new words. Judging from the reaction of last night’s audience (3/5/09) women go deliriously nuts over what happens to the four women on stage. But men, too, can enjoy the show for its great tunes, and great delivery of those great tunes by four show-stopping singers who act as magnetically as they belt.

“Menopause The Musical’s” inventive staging by Daria Melendez and marvelously creative choreography by Patty Bender are added pluses. Sue Hill’s colorful and succinctly appropriate costumes may not be available at Bloomingdales, but they are picture perfect for the occasions explored by this show. Bud Clark’s Art Nouveau take on Bloomingdales is a Technicolor scenic feast that adds punch to an already high-kick production.

Michael Larsen’s direction keeps everything moving along with a crisp, clean momentum that, unlike various body parts, never sags. Jonathan Bobo’s sound design allows receiving the precise diction necessary to impart a host of clever thoughts without smashing eardrums in the process. Thank you Mr. Bobo. Jean-Yves Tessier’s lighting pin-points the action and brings radiance to the stage. Although not preferable to a live orchestra, the three-piece recorded accompaniment is adequate enough to please.

It’s a production that embraces its five-star four stars and gives each lady a chance to shine: Ms. Rowe’s mood-swings from Flower Child to something approaching a fatal attraction; Ms. Fox’s “Heat Wave” reprise where perkiness gives way to sexiness; Ms. Verdolino’s encounter with undersized lingerie and an oversized vibrator-microphone; Ms. Miles’ smashing turn as pop-diva Tina Turner. This classy singing, acting, dancing quartet of all shapes and sizes is impressive. Each can manage various singing styles with ease, and steal scenes without upstaging one another, no small feat in a show with so many enticing possibilities.

“Menopause The Musical” moves in steady progression through phases of hormonal imbalance to a finale that suggests surviving is what life is about. Dressed in black sequined gowns for the show’s finale of events, these gallant ladies have made it through one of life’s biggest changes and they have done it in style. It’s a style enhanced by the intimacy and elegance of the Eldorado’s intimate showroom – the perfect place for this intimate show.

“Menopause The Musical” can be experienced Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Through May 10 (2009), at the Eldorado Hotel Casino, 345 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. $29.95, children and seniors $24.95. Dinner and show packages $39.95. For information call 775-786-5700 or 800-648-5966.