Co-producers talk about hit show that sheds light on four women at a lingerie sale.
SURREY — When a show called Menopause The Musical comes to town, one might be led to think it’s very much a “women’s night out” kind of production.
Not entirely so, say the co-producers of the musical parody, set to play Surrey’s Bell Performing Arts Centre for two nights later this month.
“We like to say it’s MAN-datory for men to see the show,” said Mark Zimmerman in a conference call with Janet Martin, co-producer and actor.
“Every man who’s seen it, loves it,” Zimmerman raved, “and not only for the music but because it brings them closer to their spouse, their girlfriend, about what they’re going through.”
If you hadn’t heard, Menopause The Musical reworks classic old pop songs with the story of four women at a lingerie sale. In a department store, they have “nothing in common but a black lace bra and memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more,” according to the show’s sales pitch.
In a Canadian touring production, Martin plays Iowa Housewife, who doesn’t sing lead in a lot of songs but has plenty to say to Professional Woman, Earth Mother and Soap Star, the other characters in the show.
Of course, the familiar songs riff on the troubles of menopause, with titles such as “I’m Flashing,” “My Husband Sleeps Tonight,” “Stayin’ Awake/Night Sweatin’” and, in one of the more inspired lyrical rewrites, “Puff, My God, I’m Draggin’.”