Capsule Reviews

Menopause The MusicalThis sassy musical revue parodies songs of the '60s and '70s, focusing on issues of aging and hormone imbalance (to give you an idea: A disco medley includes "Night Sweating" and "Stayin' Awake"). Sandra Benton is a powerhouse singer whose Tina Turner brings down the house. Brooke Davis scores with "Puff the Magic Dragon" and Lee Anne Mathews delivers a sultry "Tropical Hot Flash," while Rosemary Watts has fun with the raciest number, a tribute to self-love. The only problem with music director Joe Dreyer's slick 90 minutes is that it's too loud. Open-ended run at the Playhouse at West Port Plaza, 635 West Port Plaza (second level), Page Avenue and I-270, Maryland Heights. Tickets are $44.50. Call 314-469-7529 or visit www.playhouseatwestport.com.
(DJ)

MetamorphosesReviewed in this issue.

White ChristmasReviewed in this issue.

Zombozo Can a zombie clown find true love? Eleven actors and eight musicians on one tiny stage search for the answer to this hitherto unasked but evidently vital question. Jason Lauderdale's wacky new script melds silent-movie conventions with zombie-movie fright effects, throwing in a few circus acts just for fun. This is a messy production, and it's not just the blood and guts tossed in the audience's direction. The transitions are often awkward and lots of the humor falls flat. Yet there's something strangely compelling about it, even beyond Damien Samways' John Cleese-like performance and Pteri Plotnick's fire-swallowing. Directed by Robert Strasser, the wordless show is accompanied by Irene Allen's original music and runs through July 30 at the Tin Ceiling, 3159 Cherokee Street. Tickets are $8. Call 314-664-1161 or visit www.tinceiling.org.
(DJ)