Menopause naturally happens in a
woman's life some time between the age of 45 to 55. In the case of chemo-induced
menopause, there is no traditional timeline. For younger women, menopause brought on by chemotherapy can be a
temporary phase or permanent transition. For women already nearing the age when menopause might start to occur,
chemotherapy can push them into it a few years early. But -- however a woman reaches the menopause phase of life -- the
experience of menopause is universally the same. Knowing this, Jeanie Linders, a writer, produced the first Menopause The Musical in 2001. According to information
provided on the show website, "Since its first performance, the show has evolved as a grassroots movement of women
who deal with life after 40 and all the challenges that result in the mental, physical and spiritual freedom of over 38
million baby boomer females." According to the audience, it is hilarious!Janet Rigdon wanted to see the musical, but it wasn't going to be touring anywhere near where she lived, so she emailed Linders to ask if the show could make a stop in her town. That's the beauty of email -- you can do that sort of thing. Rigdon told Linders she was an ovarian cancer survivor who felt the musical was something women cancer survivors like her and her support group of women friends could relate to when she said, “I told her we could go to dinner and then play, and take our minds off cancer for one night. We want to laugh too.”
After getting to know Rigdon through email conversations, Linders decided to use the show to raise awareness and research funds for ovarian cancer. Through the musical's Women Foundation, a national ovarian cancer campaign was launched under the banner Menopause the Musical Out Loud: Breaking the Silence of Ovarian Cancer. Rigdon and her friends got to see the show, and through the wonder of web email, a new campaign for cancer was launched -- in the form of a laugh out loud musical.
Thanks to Sue of My Menopause Blog for the introduction to a musical about menopause! Who knew.
1. My children bought me tickets to see Menopause the Musical Outloud in 2005 as a birthday gift. I have to tell you it was fantastic! I have never laughed so hard in my life. I could relate to everything. What a great cause, and an awesume way to get the message out. I have told everyone I know about it and that they have to see it. Do you know what their tour schedual is for 2006. I would love to see the play again. Thank you
Posted at 2:06PM on Apr 21st 2006 by Marilyn Schoder