Seen by nearly 15 million people in more than 500 cities worldwide, the original New York and Las Vegas hit Menopause The Musical returns to Sydney in May 2020 for a strictly limited season at the Capitol Theatre.
Inspired by a hot flush and a bottle of wine, Menopause The Musical is a celebration for women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change”. The laughter-filled 90-minute production gets audience members out of their seats and singing along to parodies from classic pop songs of the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Set in a department store, four women meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing similarities among one another, the cast joke about their woeful hot flushes, mood swings, wrinkles, weight gain and much more. These women form a sisterhood and unique bond with the entire audience as they rejoice in celebrating that menopause is no longer “The Silent Passage.”
Starring in this hilarious production are four of Australia’s most iconic musical theatre personalities: Rhonda Burchmore, Silvie Paladino, Lara Mulcahy and Gina Hogan.
Rhonda Burchmore is one of Australia’s most loved and recognised entertainers. Her list of credits across stage, television and film is as impressive as it is exhaustive; Hot Shoe Shuffle on London’s West End, the Australian tours of Guys and Dolls and Calendar Girls, and TV appearances on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Kath and Kim, and Love Child.
Rhonda teams up again with colleague and ‘bestie’ Lara Mulcahy whose appeared in the role of Rosie in the original Australian tour of Mamma Mia! (alongside Rhonda Burchmore), and was then personally invited to recreate her role on London’s West End. She also performed the role of Madame Thenardier in the 2014 – 2016 Australian tour of Les Misérables. Lara is one of few actors who has featured in three Baz Luhrmann films including; Natalie in Strictly Ballroom; Mome Fromage in Moulin Rouge (S.A.G nomination “Best Ensemble” ) and box-office hit The Great Gatsby.
Silvie Paladino is known to have one of the finest voices in Australia. Her first theatrical role was Eponine in the Australasian tour of Les Misérables. She was then invited to perform the same role on London’s West End. In 1997, Silvie returned to London and performed the role of Fantine in Les Misérables for a successful two-year season. Additional musical theatre credits include Cats, Miss Saigon, and Mamma Mia!
Gina Hogan has performed in some of the most loved theatre productions of our time, including the Australian tours of Beauty and The Beast, Mamma Mia, and The Witches of Eastwick. Gina has a long association with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit production of CATS. She began with the around-Australia big top tour CATS – Runaway to the Circus (1999). After that came the big top tour of South Korea (2003/04) where she played the role of Jellylorum/Griddlebone, and finally the CATS world tour to Athens in 2005.
“Women all over the country have fallen in love with this show since it premiered in Australia in 2005, and we’re thrilled to be introducing a whole new generation of ladies to the show with this new production,” said Producer Sam Klingner .
The show, which is the longest running scripted musical in Las Vegas history, will open at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in May 2020 before commencing a nation wide tour, with additional venues and cities yet to be announced.
Ticketmaster pre-sale starts Wednesday 25 September. Tickets on-sale to public Friday 27 September. For more information, visit: www.menopausethemusical.com.au for details.
Image: Rhonda Burchmore, Silvie Paladino, Lara Mulcahy and Gina Hogan (supplied)