I went to see Menopause the Musical with two family members. We all pretty much went into it with the same attitude. We expected it to be a light, humorous look at "The Change".

None of us expected what we actually got. It was the funniest production I have probably ever seen. It was laugh-out-loud-side-splitting-jaw-hurting funny from start to finish. I honestly can't remember laughing that hard and for that long ---- ever!

The cast consists of four of the most talented women I have ever seen. They sang with beautiful voices and with a clarity that let you understand every comical line in their parodies. The expressions on their faces were priceless, and most likely they were expressions we have seen in our mirrors. The dance steps and the choreography were without par - just so well done it is hard to imagine.

Let me introduce the ladies who brought us to these heights of laughter. There is Tina D. Stump who plays the Power Woman. She is in corporate America and has been in charge of everything for a long time. That was before her body took over. She is a dynamic singer and a delightful actor.

Then there is Maryann Nagel playing the aging Soap Opera Star. She's concerned about loosing acting parts because of younger women taking over. You can't help but believe her realistic portrayal and feel her pain as the "Change" enters her life. She is a lovely as she is talented.

June Lang plays the role of the Earth mother, a free spirited product of the 60's. All of us who lived through that time are as shocked as she is to realize we are now over half a century old and our bodies are betraying us. What an energetic and talented woman she is.

Finally, there is Dyan Beder playing a housewife from, of all places, Iowa. She is having a hard enough time learning about the big city (the play is set in New York) without the added burden of menopause. She plays the part so well and so cleverly that you just want to take her home and see her through this tough time.

There is someone that each of us can identify with and if we can't identify with the person we can certainly identify with the symptoms. These are enormously talented women.

I will never be able to listen to the original versions of the plays musical parodies without smiling - no laughing - again.

For all of you who have not seen it because you can't imagine it being more that slightly humorous I encourage you to take the chance. You will not regret it. It is just what the doctor ordered no matter what the diagnosis. Laughter is good medicine and this production provides a mega dose.