Menopositive! an inspired exploration of our frailties

By Brad Bird
Oceanside Star
October 15, 2009

Relevant, intelligent, delightful -- that's Menopositive! The Musical in brief.

This witty show, written by a Canadian radio reporter, sparkles with energy and insight.

It almost had me in tears twice on opening night, once when Marilyn Holt (who nailed her role as Marnie) sang her piece about sexual abuse in foster homes.

And lest you men out there think Menopositive! is an exercise in male-bashing, there is an element of that. But listen closely and you also hear the gratitude expressed by Zsuzsu (Sharon Klassen) for the integrity of her late husband in "Why did you have to go?", another tear-jerker.

The writing is inspired, and this applies to both songs and dialogue.

Playwright J.J. McColl, born Joan Humphrey, leaves a solid legacy here. The Vancouver resident died a year ago of Lou Gehrig's disease at age 71, and the cast is performing this work, her only musical, in her honour. Single most of her life, the CBC producer liked to refer to herself as "the ancient bridesmaid." She did marry late, however.

This is the kind of writing we need to see more of on Oceanside stages -- Canadian writing of substance that reflects our own reality. Art is meant to mirror and provoke and instruct. Menopositive! succeeds.

The appeal of this show, however, transcends the writing and embraces also the acting and singing. Director Mary Ann Kennedy presents us with a gift -- of four local women at the pinnacle of their powers.

Marilyn Holt as Marnie -- born in Oldham, England, raised in Hamilton, Ont., sang in a theatrical rock and roll band for 12 years, and it shows. To think this is her first play is stunning, given her presence, confidence, timing. A wonderful performance.

"We all have our little weaknesses, Cynthia," she says at one point, well-delivered. "I have toy boys and tobacco. You have brains."

And can this lady sing the blues. Give us more, Marilyn. (McColl's husband attended the show and was deeply impressed by Holt's performance.)

Betty Ann Courtney as Kate -- this Port Alberni gal is a veteran stage performer who pulled at our heart-strings with her song "Who in the World Am I?" as she ponders her life as a recovering and unemployed alcoholic. Yet Courtney does humour well, too, including a totally unexpected yet successful 'Cremation of Sam McGee'-like song, "Put Parsley on his Plate." Well done.

Debbie Ryan as Cynthia -- Ryan grew up on a farm in Coombs and is known to many from the 1950s band The Rocking Rebels. As Cynthia, no doubt with help from Kennedy's direction, Ryan's character grows from the dense doormat wife of a philandering lout to the clued-in, empowered and happier person we see at the end.

"Every day I'm twisting myself to suit him, and every day he's out screwing another woman!" she laments at one point. (There is some swearing and vulgarity in this show. I made a mistake in my advance story by saying there was not. I am sorry. The F words etc. do arguably work, however, though some may be offended.)

An abortion at 17 ended Cynthia's child-bearing days, and we feel Cynthia's grief because Ryan makes it real.

And that's the key. Without a strong bond of empathy between audience and actor, a play is only so much chatter. This is one reason why Canadian stories matter. We tend to connect with them more deeply, for example, than with the tale of a New York City egotist who thinks she can sing.

Sharon Klassen as Zsuzsu -- this performer, who has sung for years at Errington Hall and with Coombs Country Opera, is to my mind the production's glue and catalyst. Klassen both incites the conflict among the characters but also, in a twist of genius thanks to McColl's writing and Kennedy's direction, brings about the gradual rapprochement of the crew with each other and their troubled lives.

Watching this magic unfold is pure joy. Only a performer of rare ability and presence could pull off this role, and Klassen is Zsuzsu.

The story in brief concerns a musical revue prepared by the women for a 35th high school reunion. Initially it's Kate's show, but Zsuzsu the cleaning lady and former Hungarian stage star takes charge in more ways than one.

"Leave your private parts at the door!" she tells them, in one of her funnier lines, when personal issues intrude upon their rehearsals, but at the same time she helps the women deal with their demons.

We all have issues, it seems, and Menopositive! shows us that a proactive and positive approach can help us overcome them. At the same time it's worth noting, especially for you youngsters, that good personal choices in life can avert many troubles. As the old saying in snooker goes, it's not what you make (that matters most), it's what you leave (the effects of your actions).

Bonnie Stebbings' first-rate musical direction, Mick Banks' sets, Margie Chivers' stage management (always tricky, getting people in and out with proper props and costume), Ken McCready's lighting, Mary Blair's costumes and Gaynor Spiers' makeup all add value.

The show continues until Oct. 25 and is well worth seeing. Phone 752-3522 for tickets.