Menopositive a rich experience

By Tom McCoag
The Chronicle Herald
Wednesday, July 9, 2003

Who knew menopause could be so entertaining?

J.J. McColl did when she penned Menopositive! The Musical, her witty, funny, touching story of four middle-aged women who get together for the first time in years to stage a play for their high school reunion.

The women - Kate Phillips, Marnie Summers, Cynthia Sawyer and Zsu Zsu Herendy - are battling mid-life crises, aging bodies, dashed dreams and fears about their future. They go through a roller-coaster-like ride as they rediscover each other and themselves. It's a ride that makes the audience laugh and cry.

While McColl penned the words, it takes talented actors to make characters come alive. The actors gracing the stage in Live Bait Theatre's production of the work are gifted performers.

Judy Savoy as Kate, Judi M. McLaren as Marnie, Virginia O'Brien as Cynthia and Marlane O'Brien as Zsu Zsu not only breathe life into their characters but give them such depth and passion the audience can't help but become entwined in their individual stories.

Each has a powerful singing voice capable of performing the wide range of styles in the play.

McLaren sings Footsteps and Shadows, a haunting song revealing that her character was abused as a foster child, with raw emotion, leaving the audience teary-eyed and in shock.

Equally powerful is Savoy's singing of Little Bird, a song about her Alzheimer's afflicted mother. It's sung so passionately it sends shivers down your spine.

Singing isn't the cast's only talent. All have impeccable comedic timing and an ability to do slapstick.

The scene in which Virginia O'Brien's mousy character Cynthia learns how to stand up to her unfaithful husband is particularly well done. Other scenes are just as funny.

The dramatic scenes are equally impressive. The scene in which Marlane O'Brien's character Zsu Zsu relives her tragedy-filled life for her friends, yet portrays just how much she relishes life, is very powerful.

What makes these strong performances even better is the actors' ability to feed off each other, to bring out the best in their fellow actors. They seem to tackle the dicey subject of menopause - from the bloated bodies to sexual desires - with ease.

The play deals with menopause but is really about self-discovery and fulfillment.

Menopositive! The Musical, runs to Sunday at Mount Allison University's Brunton Auditorium, nightly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.50, $15.50 for senior and students.