Musical Laughs At Middle Age

By Jude Campbell
The Okanagan Saturday
Saturday, November 6, 1999

Like modern-day witches brewing a cauldron of trouble, the four 50-something actresses in Menopositive! The Musical, really stirred up the pot and their audience on Thursday evening.

They sliced through the curtain of middle-age crisis, lampooned men with their sexual foibles and fantasies, and brought the full-house audience to their feet in a final standing ovation.

Menopositive-playing in Kelowna for the last time tonight - tells the tale of four friends reunited after 35 years as they come together to stage what should be an entertaining comedy revue for their classmates.

All bring with them memories of the glory-days of high school, their expectations of life as it should have been, and pseudo-sadly, how life has really turned out.

What follows is a ribald, sometimes downright raunchy, compilation of songs, revelations and observations of "being a certain age."

Four strong performances were offered up, featuring original cast members Patricia Dahlquist as Marnie, the unflappable career woman; Sussin McFarlen as Kate, unemployed author of the revue; Candace O'Connor as Cynthia, a prissy who settled for a posh living with a womanizer; and Ann Warn Pegg as Zsu Zsu, the indomitable spirit of the bunch.

As the crew bounces through the play, each brings up simple and provocative issues that plague every woman, and seem highlighted by the onset of raging hormones and hot flashes.

From dealing with being 'just somebody's mother or wife,' to realizing your sex has always been lacking, or worrying about old-age poverty, the four kept the action moving forward to the end.

The most giggles were bestowed on a quasi-Christian support group for women feeling the menopausal crunch, which turns into a frenzy of chair humping hilarity; and a western-drawl number about an ancient grandma trying to convince women that keeping a man happy is as simple as "puttin' parsley on his plate."

In-between the lines, the reality of life seeps through, just as it was intended by playwright J.J. McColl.

A special place was carved out by the gutsy character of Zsu Zsu, whose pliable mouth and unique directness of delivery kept everyone in stitches. Her one-liners and sidelong glances punctuated many a statement made by the others, and her voluptuous voice was let loose in several numbers.

Coupled with the raw and wry comments on life as a middle-aged woman, the play touches many a heart with its witty music and commentary. In all, it served as a great reminder that life is a grindstone, but it's up to you whether it polishes you up, or grinds you down.

Menopositive! The Musical, a Sunshine Theatre-sponsored production; shows tonight at the Kelowna Community Theatre at 8 p.m.