'Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical' is a hoot

Kicking and screaming into middle age? Have a friend or family member turning 40, 50, or beyond? "Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical" may be just the ticket for a great evening of fun. This sweet little musical, with book, music and lyrics by Bob Walton and Jim Walton, and directed and choreographed by Steven Flaa, is a gem of a show. It is a musical with very little dialogue, but in the hands of these talented performers, it works.

With a revolving set designed by Tom Hansen, the scene changes from sketch to sketch are pretty seamless. But one thing remains constant, and that is the piano accompaniment by Music Director Stan Collins. Seated at the baby grand, he bobs his head and moves around on the piano bench as his fingers work magic at the keyboard.

Through clever lyrics, six veteran performers take us through each stage of the mid life aging process, the good, bad, and ugly.

And there are a few moments that will tug at your heartstrings and bring a tear to the eye. One of those moments comes in Act II as Patti Eyler as Woman 1, Forrest Richards, as Woman 3, and Steven Flaa as Man 1 lament their experience dealing with aging parents in "The Long Goodbye."

But most of the show is lighthearted and hits surprisingly home with these insightful lyrics. From the opening number "Welcome to Mid-Life" sung by the entire ensemble, to the closing numbers "I'm Not Ready," and the reprise, these actors explore those nagging mid life issues such as mood swings, dry skin problems, underarm fat, loss of hair, divorce, and dating in midlife. Of course, there is plenty to sing about.

Steven Flaa as Man 1 sings "Turning 40," his revelation that he is becoming his Dad, as he repeats all the very same phrases with identical voice inflections. Melanie Souza (Woman 2) turns forty and delivers the hysterical and frenetic "Biological Clock," where she is willing to do anything to have a baby before she is too old.

Next we have "Weekend Warriors," as the three guys, Flaa, Tony Triano (Man 3) and Allan Baker (Man 4) go to the gym only to discover that they aren't the jocks they once were.

Richards as Woman 3 does a beautiful job with the tender song about the changes in her life following Lasik Surgery as she sings "When He Laughs," about the love of her life.

And no "Trip to the Doctor" is complete without a singing mammogram, performed by Flaa, Eyler, Souza, Forrest Richards, playing Woman 3, and Triano.3.

The sound effects add much to this scene, and anyone who has experienced a mammogram certainly can relate to this sketch. Later in Act II, we get "Another Trip to the Doctor," performed by Flaa and Triano, as they sing about their fear and dread of their pending exam. Triano's velvet voice is lovely as he sings about the "terrible loss of his hair."

Another clever sketch is "Mid-Life Translator," done by Allan Baker as Man 2, with Flaa and Eyler playing husband and wife, and Baker translating every comment and body movement.

Baker has the smooth voice of a television or radio announcer, and his strength appears to be comedy.

And of course, how many of us haven't experienced the pain of the "Empty Nest" syndrome, a very comedic sketch with Triano and Richards as husband and wife, with Baker standing in as their son. Closing Act I is "I Quit," a montage of various challenges each actor decides to give up. Eyler's southern accent is priceless in this sketch.

Act II begins with "What Did I come in Here For?" and moves right into the next decade, "Turning 50." "Boys Night In" is a hilarious sketch done by the three guys as they get a treatment guaranteed to make them look younger.

The ladies get their turn to shine at their 30th high school reunion, discussing their mid life divorces as they sing "He Got What He Deserved," with a little help from some weed.

The tight harmonies of the 'choir' in "Classical Menopause" is another show highlight as Baker turns to them for advice as he wrestles with the ever changing moods of his wife, played by Souza.

What really makes this little show such a success is not only the clever lyrics and music, but also the comradarie and synergy all six of these actors give back to the audience. These are seasoned actors who have worked together in other shows.

Each is a stunning performer in their own right, but as an ensemble, their combined talents are perfect for this type of show.

"Mid-Life! The Musical" will just continue to improve with each performance, and although not one of the big classical musical productions normally seen on stage at Show Palace, it is well written, and superbly performed, and should be part of your summer entertainment schedule.

Marsha Reiniers writes regularly for the Hernando Today Out & About section. She lives in Spring Hill and can be contacted at Marsha@LTC-FLA.com.

If you go

"Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical" runs weekends through Sept. 26 at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U. S. Hwy 19, Hudson. Doors open two hours before each show for dinner and cocktails. On Sundays, the doors open at 1 p.m. and show starts at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday night performances begin at 7:45 p.m. and doors open for dinner and cocktails at 6 p.m. Matinees are available on select Thursdays and some Saturdays and doors open for dinner and cocktails at 11:30 a.m. with show time of 1:15 p.m. Tickets are $48, plus tax, for dinner and show. Show only is $36.95 plus tax. Call 727-863-7949 or 888-655-7469 to reserve tickets. Website: www.showpalace.net