Menopause the Musical can lay claim to being the truest ladies’ night in Las Vegas. The longest-running scripted musical on the Strip is for ladies by ladies, exploring themes of bonding and maturing through parodies of classic songs. Bonding is important to the Menopause experience. The Professional Woman, Soap Star, Earth Mother and Iowa Housewife collide at Bloomingdale’s in New York City while competing for lingerie, but find common ground while musically recounting hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss and libidinous extremes. The audience, as “the fifth girlfriend,” is invited along.
Sometimes the audience becomes “the sixth girlfriend,” as Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley) is a regular guest performer. The songs remain the same though, as Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” Martha and the Vandellas’ “Heat Wave” and Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” are given new sisterhood contexts. A dance party breaks out at the end, with the barrier broken between audience and cast. For men, it can be an educational experience, but for women who have experienced the change, the humor hits home due to the familiar territory.
Harrah’s, 4 & 7:30 p.m. Mon. & Sat., 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri. (dark July 4), $50.15-$75.38 VIP plus tax and fee. 702.777.2782
