This Christmas, we didn't fall prey to the 3 millionth showing of It's a Wonderful Life, or sit through another mind-numbing edition of the Nutcracker. Instead, my wife and I, with her family in tow, caught the hilarious musical, "Menopause", at the Las Vegas Hilton, and enjoyed it a great deal. The comedic show covered all aspects of this womanly change, from night sweats to hot flashes, forgetfulness and weight gain - and the four performers, who carried the show on their own, were very good.The play centered around four women, one, an African-American businesswoman, two ladies from the country, one being a nature-loving hippie, the other an Iowan farmer's wife, and the last, a soap opera actress on the backside of her career. The foursome found one another while bickering over ladies lingerie in a New York Bloomingdales, and through the show, commiserated with one another around their shared experiences - on how family didn't understand their mood swings, how their husbands often slept on the couch, or were disinterested in sex. Making the show even better, each scene featured one or more song parodies, stretching from the Bee Gees' Staying Alive and Night Fever to Sonny and Cher's I've Got You Babe.
In our small group of five, we featured two women who had already undergone menopause, one who may in the next decade or two, and two men - who will only have seen the change from the sidelines, thank goodness for us. Yet, despite our differences, we all found it very funny, and applauded. While some families circled around tables to carve up traditional turkey or ham, or toyed with the latest gifts, we were laughing at the hysterics.
That's not to say we didn't have a traditional Christmas. We exchanged some gifts this morning, we had an early dinner with beef wellington, and plenty of Christmas treats - from cookies to ice cream pie. It's been a treat here in Vegas, even after yesterday's airport ordeal. If you're heading to Vegas, or have already made it and are looking for entertainment, the show Menopause is a must-see. Don't miss it.