Once again, in celebration of the woman who gave you life, Camile Soper and Anne Clarkson’s musical comedy, 5 Hot Women, the Joys of Menopause is playing Mothers Day, May 14, 2:30 p.m. at the Stan Hagen Theatre in Courtenay.
With a cast of accomplished actors, Michelle Sinclair, Shelley Kvisle, Chandra McFayden, Karae White and Roberta LaCroix, the show centres on a group of five women who are locked in a fitness centre during a power outage. With nothing but conversation to occupy their time, the women bond over shared menopausal experiences.
Liberally interspersed with original lyrics set to familiar tunes, the musical touches on hot flashes, empty nests, loss, new beginnings but most of all, sisterhood.
“The best therapy in the world is to get together with a great bunch of women and laugh. Every rehearsal has been about learning, loving our differences, and laughing,” said White, who plays comically naive empty nester Peggy in the show. “(We’re) so grateful to be able to share the laughter with our audiences.”
First introduced to standing room-only audiences as readings in 2014, Clarkson and Soper quickly realized that musical would have to be fully staged. The following performances found sold-out shows for the Womens’ Business Network, the Stan Hagen Theatre, Nanaimo Fringe and a private engagement on Stuart Island.
“No matter who you are, you will find a woman you relate to in our cast. It may be your mother, your wife, your sister or yourself,” noted Clarkson.
“There isn’t a whole lot you can do about menopause. It’s going to happen sooner or later. You can cry about it or you can laugh about it and we chose to laugh.”
Following their tradition of supporting local charities, this year’s performance will benefit Lilli House. Donations of personal products will be gladly accepted.
Tickets are $17, available at Beltone Hearing, by email at fivehotwomen@hotmail.com or at picatic.com/5hotwomen.
