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Now normally I wouldn’t pick this type of musical to go to, but I found myself laughing out loud along with the other audience members in this charming stage romp. If you have your parents in town for a visit, this would be the musical I would suggest you take them to.

“Menopause” showcases the day in the life of 4 shopping ladies who are all going through “the change”. Now surely I couldn’t relate, but I was caught up in the silly storytelling and catchy musical parodies. There are lots of send ups of your favorite 50’s, 60’s and 70’s tunes with funny new lyrics expressing the hell that is “menopause”.

I had a fun time with the folks when watching this musical, and really isn’t that all you can ask for? “Menopause” delivered with it’s witty lyrical parodies, simple set design and under an hour and a half running time. It was worth the trip down to the hectic “Fisherman’s Wharf” area of San Francisco.

If you are looking to please the parents, and get some genuine laughs in at the same time than this holiday season go see “Menopause: The Musical”. Your folks will get a kick out of it and you’ll have a good time.

I have never been to an opera before attending “Carmen” this past Thanksgiving weekend. And now, I am very glad to say I have been. At first my mind raced with torturous thoughts of trying to stay awake, not getting the story or plot and being surrounded by annoying, stuffy white people. But, in reality I was taken over by the sweet story and holiday vibe of the whole outing.

Well, not only did I follow the story, I laughed and I was moved. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. The grand scale of the production was very impressive. The set design and mobility of the set pieces was fun to look at. The many, many characters didn’t seem crammed onto the stage. At one point it looked as if there were 50+ cast members on stage.

The first act did come off a bit slow, but that was full of plot development and character studies. It helped to establish the slapstick like drama that was soon to come. We learn in the first act that Carmen is the most popular girl in town, and she is the most reviled by some. She has a sultry, lazy ease about her that people either love or hate.

The second act picked up momentum and I heard very familiar arrangements of classical music and singing that was reminiscent of a Looney Tunes cartoon, and that was a good thing. The story gained a gradual excitement that kept my interest throughout. “Carmen” is three and a half hours long, which I thought would kill me. But I enjoyed the three split up acts with intermissions. When the fourth act started the pacing was super fast, the story flowed with a comedic charm.

As the opera ended the audience is left with a tragic ending, but a realistic impression/view of the times, the battle for Carmen’s love and of the tormented soldiers that chased Carmen. This opera seems to be the blueprint for every romantic comedy that Hollywood puts out today, but with much better results. and for those that are skeptical, there is a screen with sub-titles for us folks that don’t understand French opera.

I will most likely go see another opera after viewing the entertaining and charming “Carmen”. The scope of this opera was huge and impressive. I thought the actors and vocal sound were amazing. This was a great new experience for me, and I am very glad I was treated to this majestic spectacle.