Theater | Menopausia El Musical

The stage is set for one of the biggest nights in local Latino theatre as   Menopausia El Musical® makes its world premiere at a star-studded opening night charity performance at the historic Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday, October 17.

Featuring a Los-Angeles based all-Latina cast, Menopausia is a Spanish-language adaptation of the long-running international musical hit, Menopause The Musical®, that has toured more than 15 countries in the last 12 years.

The opening night premiere will provide checks in support to three deserving non-profit organizations that serve Latina causes – the East Los Angeles Women’s Center, who strive to help women find esperanza or hope in their lives, and empowers them to attain a quality life that is safe and healthy for themselves and their children. Amigas 4 My Soul, who inspire women to live positive, empower lives by way of yearly conferences, special events and online resources. Proyecto Herencia de Amor, whose mission is to build a free tuition, full-time school and sports center in one of the poorest neighborhoods, in Mercedes, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“We are very excited to bring all the fun and laughter of Menopause to Los Angeles in this hilarious new Spanish-language version” said Seth Greenleaf, Tony Award-winning producer with GFour Productions.  “This is the first major live show that has been adapted to Spanish for the U.S. Latino market and it fulfills Ricardo Montalban’s dream of presenting live Latino theatre in the heart of Hollywood.”

The show also provides a showcase for the talent of four local Hispanic actresses: Marabina Jaimes, an Emmy Award-winning actress for her work on Storytime on PBS with strong credits in musical theatre; Paloma Morales who began performing as a dancer, singer, impersonator and actress in several college and local plays and devoted herself to her singing career, achieving immense success touring in several American cities and Mexico; Graciela Valderrama, a veteran stage actress who has performed in The House of Bernarda Alba, Death and the Maiden, Sweeney Todd, Rocky Horror Show, The Crucible, Macbeth, In The Heights and Twelfth Night; and Diana Burbano, with credits in many popular productions, including Oliver, Brigadoon, and the Magical Musical Movie Machine and Sweet Peace.

Known and loved around the world as “The Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change®,” Menopause The Musical®, and now Menopausia, tells the story of four women with nothing in common but a black lace bra and memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and much more. The hilarious musical parody is set to 25 classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s that gets the audience cheering and dancing in the aisles.

Created by Jeanie C. Linders, Menopause was first presented in Orlando in 2001. Since then, the show has toured 450 cities throughout the U.S. and 250 international cities in 15 countries, delighting an estimated 11 million theater-goers. The show has also played continuously at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas for five years, making it the longest running book musical in the history of Sin City.

The Spanish version, lovingly adapted by VIVIS Colombetti, choreographed by Daria Melendez, with music direction by Alan Plado, casting by Orlette Ruiz of Mambo Casting, and under the direction of Seth Greenleaf, captures all the joy, laughter, and hilarity of the original production.

The show has been widely embraced around the world and drawn rave reviews from the New York Times (“It’s impossible not to laugh!”) and the Los Angeles Times (“Fresh, funny and simply terrific!”).

Menopausia El Musical® is the first theatrical performance presented at the historic Montalbán since the recent completion of renovations. The 970-seat facility is located in the heart of the thriving Hollywood entertainment district at 1615 Vine Street between Hollywood and Sunset boulevards. The show is scheduled for an initial run of four weeks.

The show launches with previews October 11 with performances Thursdays through Sundays with Saturday matinees for a scheduled run of four weeks. Tickets are available at the Montalbán box office or calling 323-870-3043 and visiting www.MenopausiaElMusical.com

AARP is a participating sponsor of the show and will have representatives at the performances with information about the organization.

To keep tabs on Menopausia El Musical® updates, please visit  www.MenopausiaElMusical.com, Facebook at   www.facebook.com/MenopausiaElMusical and Twitter at  @MenopausiaEM.