'Menopause the Musical' returns to the Lyceum Theatre in April

Friday, February 22, 2008

Back by popular demand, the national tour of "Menopause The Musical" returns to Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, April 16-20, 2008.

Since March 2001, the hilarious show "Menopause The Musical" has entertained and inspired women from coast to coast and internationally. The work of writer Jeanie Linders, "Menopause The Musical" is a 90-minute production, which includes 25 re-lyricized tunes from the '60s and '70s and culminates with a salute to women who are experiencing "The Change."

Set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance, the musical pokes fun at things such as hot flashes, memory loss, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and eating binges.

The show's intended message is that menopause is a passage, but it should no longer be "The Silent Passage." It is a stage in every woman's life that is perfectly normal.

"Menopause The Musical" has entertained audiences across the country in more than 100 cities, as well as internationally in 10 countries including Australia, Canada, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, United Kingdom, South Africa and South Korea. Each week nearly 35,000 women of all ages and stages of life find their spirits lifted by the show's light-hearted look at menopause. It is estimated that nearly 9 million women in 11 countries have attended a performance since the show's opening in Orlando, Fla., in 2001.

"Menopause The Musical" encourages a healthy dialogue about issues of aging and women's health and provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness with female audiences.

"'Menopause The Musical' was the first touring production ever brought to the Lyceum stage in its 47 year history" said Artistic Director Quin Gresham. In late 2006, Gresham and Managing Director Steve Bertani were collaborating on ways to use the 408 seat theatre during the off-season. TOC Productions, Inc., contacted the Lyceum in January 2007, and discussions began about the possibility of bringing the show to the Lyceum.

"Audience attendance exceeded our expectations, as the four-performance run nearly sold out," said Bertani.

"The show was an obvious hit and it just made sense to bring it back for a second year," said Gresham.

Tickets go on sale Feb. 4 at the Lyceum Theatre box office. Call (660) 837-3311 or visit www.lyceumtheatre.org.

The Lyceum Theatre's 2008 Season includes: "Cats," "West Side Story," "Big: the Musical," "Proof," "Arsenic and Old Lace," "Little Women, the Broadway Musical," "On Golden Pond" and "The Mousetrap."

Season tickets are available by calling (660) 837-3311.