‘Menopause’ with a bit more
IF YOU GO
What: “Menopause, the Musical”
Where: Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Cost: $34, $44 and $49 (applicable fees may apply)
To purchase: Available at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, and at the box office
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
“Menopause, the Musical” has been the backdrop for some of Teri Adams’ greatest highs and lows.
Adams plays Iowa Housewife – one of the four characters – in a touring production of the ever-popular show that comes to Packard Music Hall on Tuesday.
The Packard show is part of what has been dubbed The Survivor’s Tour. Three of the four leads – including Adams – are cancer survivors, and the fourth cared for a cancer survivor. Two dollars from every ticket goes to the Susan G. Komen cancer research organization.
Adams was starring in the show when she was diagnosed with cancer. She talked about her life’s intertwined relationship with “Menopause” in a phone interview.
“It was rough,” she said. “I was just 40, had just gotten married, and then seven months later I was diagnosed with cancer. That was in 2008, and I had started with the show in 2006. ... I had a double mastectomy in July of 2008, then went back for rehearsal the next month. I had good mobility the first few days, but then my body gave out. It was too soon. Looking back now, it seems insane that I had the notion that I could do that. I was hoping that ‘Menopause’ would be my light at the end of the tunnel, but it didn’t end up that way then.”
Wells would undergo 12 surgeries and chemotherapy over the next five years, and is now recovered. She rejoined the show a couple years ago.
“It feels like I have come full circle,” she said. “Seven years later, my body has changed and my outlook has changed. I am a stronger person and a better performer.”
Then another life changed happened that makes the story complete: Adams began to undergo menopause.
“Having beaten cancer, I don’t sweat the small stuff, but I do sweat, because, my God, the hot flashes!,” she said. “When I first joined the show at 40, I thought I’m way too young to be doing ‘Menopause.’ But cancer takes you to early menopause. I turn 48 this month, but I am full-on hot flashing.”
When it’s pointed out to her that she is literally living the life of her character, Adams responded with dry wit and a little sarcasm: “I’m living the dream.”
“Menopause, the Musical” has been around for about 15 years, but its humor and universal theme keeps women coming back. It has been seen by 11 million people worldwide and draws a lot of repeat customers.
“Women really do relate to these characters and identify parts of themselves in each role,” said Adams.
Although the tour has a cancer survivor undercurrent, the show on the stage does not. “Neither the script nor the songs have been changed,” said Adams. “We don’t want to make it a show about cancer. We just want to celebrate survivors. And we want to encourage women that the best years of their life are not behind them. We say take control of your lives now and it will be a glorious thing.”
The musical is set in a department store where four menopausal women – Iowa Housewife, Soap Star, Earth Mother and Professional Woman – meet while shopping for lingerie. It has dozens of song parodies set to the tune of baby boomer pop hits. These include “Stayin’ Awake” (“Stayin’ Alive”), “Hot Flash” (“Heat Wave”) and “My Thighs” (“My Guy”).
“It’s 90 minutes of singing and dancing and fun,” said Adams.
While “Menopause” is a bonding experience for women, how do the men in the audience feel about it?
“Men love it,” said Adams. “We are finding more and more men in our audience. It’s not just a girls’ night out anymore.
“A lot of husbands are coming,” she continued. “We always talk to patrons after the show, and some men say, ‘I really did learn some things. I figured out why she does this or that.’ One guy in Seattle said, ‘This should be a mandatory workshop for all men.’”