'Menopause: The Musical' A Hilarious Delight At Smithtown PAC

SMITHTOWN, NY — When four women "of a certain age" meet at a Bloomingdale's lingerie sale, what ensues is both hilarious and heartwarming, as "Menopause: The Musical" delights at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center.

The show, which runs through April 6, is a sheer tour de force, with Christina D'Orta Muens, Tiara Solorzano, Debbie D'Amore, and Erica Giglio Pac bringing their combined talents to both powerhouse vocals and deeply memorable performances.

"Menopause: The Musical" touches upon the new world called "The Change" that women find themselves immersed in, complete with hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, irritability and tears, sex (and not-enough sex), but most of all, laughter, as they embrace their new realities with a healthy dose of humor.

The show features a stellar score, as the performers deliver parodies of classic 70s and 80s hits such as "Change, Change, Change," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Husband Sleeps At Night," "Hot Flash," "Drippin' and Droppin," "Puff, My God, I'm Draggin,'" the hysterically funny "Good Vibrations" and a spirited "This is Your Day" that had the audience cheering and dancing in the aisles.

But the show is not a musical just for women facing menopause. At its heart, "Menopause: The Musical" is about the power of friendship, the bonds we forge as we traverse common ground and face uncertain new futures with a sisterhood built on laughter, compassion, empathy — and, most of all, love.

That common chord of shared understanding is what's had audiences of 15 million celebrating women and The Change for more than 20 years — and the dynamic and accomplished cast at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center carries forth the tradition proudly, delivering a show that will linger in hearts and minds long after the lights have dimmed.

D'Orta Muens, as the soap star, gives a spot-on performance marked by the perfect mix of diva and dazzling vocals. Solarzano, as the professional woman, is someone audiences easily identify with and cheer as she finds her footing with new friends sharing her journey. D'Amore captures the very essence of her Earth Mother character in a brilliant and triumphant performance. And Giglio Pac, as the Iowa housewife, gives perhaps one of the laugh-out-loud funniest performances ever to grace a stage.

The dedication and heart poured into this show resonates: From Production Stage Manager Dorothy Bergmann-Haszinger, to Director Susan Jeffares, Associate Choreographer Kevin Burns, Music Director Samantha Free, Technical Director Michael Mucciolo, Audio Operator Dylan Hutchkins, Lighting Designer Daniel Caplan, and Spot Operators/House Assistants Megan Delmonico, Madeline Dobias, and Adam Gosline, all have come together to bring the brilliance of Broadway to the Long Island theater landscape.

According to a message in the show's program, the creator and writer of "Menopause: The Musical," Jeanie Linders, "was a passionate voice for a generation of women facing more than just hot flashes."

She was the recipient of the Veteran Feminist Medal of Honor presented by Gloria Steinem, and funded women’s education and housing programs from New Orleans to Kenya and Ghana, as well as raising over a million dollars for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, as well as other charities.

"We continue to honor Jeanie’s memory and legacy by sharing her humor, heart, and wit onstage each night, spreading her healing laughter across the world," the SPAC said.

The audience, captivated as they watch the jubilant gem of a show unfold on the bright and colorful floors of the Bloomingdale's department store — women's lingerie, evening wear and, oh, who doesn't love the shoe department? — finds themselves entranced not just by the soaring vocals and joyful humor, but also, by the show's powerful message: Despite hot flashes and mood swings, night sweats and the fear of change, change, change, life can be beautiful and meaningful at every stage. As long as you're sharing the powerful journey with your friends by your side.

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center is located at 2 E. Main Street in Smithtown. Performances continue as follows: Saturday, March 22, at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m.; Friday, March 28, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 29, at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 30, at 2 p.m.; Friday, April 4, at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m. Individual tickets cost $61.50; seniors cost $56.50; and groups of 10+ cost $49.50 per ticket with code MGROUP10. A SPAC member discount will be applied at checkout.

For questions, email info@smithtownpac.org. To purchase tickets, call 800-595-4849 or click her. To donate to the Smithtown Performing Arts Council Inc., a nonprofit organization, click here.