Positively hilarious

MENOPOSITIVE! THE MUSICAL OPEN VPP'S 2003 SEASON

By Deborah Creatura
The Observer
May 31, 2003

Not only men think about it all the time. So do menopausal women.

In the hilarious Menopositive! The Musical, women of "a certain age" straddle a saddle, ride a chair and curse out loud.

The honest and insightful look at menopause makes everyone in the audience aware that women over 50 can be just as sexy, prudish, smart and funny as females half their age.

The Victoria Playhouse Petrolia season opener runs to June 14.

The four-woman cast stars Catherine McKinnon who plays Hungarian cleaning lady Zsu Zsu Herendy. McKinnon's singing alone makes this show worth seeing, but her one liners make it irresistible.

Along with McKinnon are Charlotte Moore (Kate), Jayne Lewis (Marnie) and Karen Wood (Cynthia) who share the show but also give their own star performances.

The nearly three-hour show had the audience roaring with laughter from start to finish.

The opening scene shows three women in their 50s standing in their underwear examining their flabby arms and droopy boobs. The women are getting ready for their high school reunion where they will perform a revue for their classmates. The women are insecure about seeing each other and their classmates.

McKinnon's portrayal of Zsu Zsu, a former star of the Hungarian stage is almost a show stealer but then there is Moore's insightful portrayal of a recovering alcoholic, Lewis' sexy and funny go as a saloon waitress and Wood's hilarious transformation where she finally stands up for herself.

Anyone with inhibitions about seeing a musical about menopause should give their head a shake and see this amazing performance. This dazzling cast is bang on with their comedic timing.

Although there is one warning about the show - the language is coarse at times.