Hicks and Hollis Join Philly's Menopause the Musical

New cast members have been added to Philadelphia's hit production of Menopause The Musical, billed as "the hilarious celebration of Women and The Change."

The production, which recently re-opened for its third season at the Society Hill Playhouse this fall, will feature Juliet Hicks as Soap Star and Marnee Hollis as Earth Mother as its new additions.  Returning to the production are Lois Sach Binder as Iowa Housewife and CeCeLia Ann Birt as Power Woman.

Hicks joins the Philly cast after performing in the Seattle, Portland, and California productions of the show. She has starred in regional theatre and has a film debuting in January. Hollis lives in New York and has performed in the Off Broadway production of the show. She has extensive acting experience, touring nationally and starring in more than ten regional productions.  Binder has performed in regional theaters, including the Walnut Street Theater, as well as working Off Broadway and in television and movie roles. Birt has performed on stage and on screen throughout the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia. She is the founder and director of Birt's Repertory Theatre, which teaches African American history through the arts. 

Created by Jeanie Linders, the show is directed and choreographed by Patty Bender

"The production phenomenon, which celebrates the women's movement and life over 40, features a collection of 26 baby boomer songs from the 60's and 70's. Lyrics that take on everything from night sweats, hot flashes and mood swings to food binges, memory loss, wrinkles and more have women laughing, cheering and dancing in the aisles," press notes state.

Now enjoying its fifth year in production, Menopause The Musical debuted in a 76-seat perfume-shop-turned-theatre in Orlando, Florida. It subsequently opened off-Broadway where it ran for four years and will reopen soon.  The show has had such phenomenal success that it can also be seen in Atlanta, St. Louis, Las Vegas, Toronto, Seattle, Portland, Jacksonville, San Francisco, and Orlando in addition to Philly. Besides re-opening in New York In 2007, it will open in Birmingham, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, San Antonio, San Diego, Grand Rapids, Canton, Toledo, Madison, Australia, London, Wellington NZ, and Johannesburg SA.  Previous long running companies included Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles. The show's production company, G-Four Productions, has offices in Cooper City, Florida.

Show times for Menopause The Musical at Society Hill Playhouse are Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.  Tickets are $45.00 and are on sale by phone at 215-923-0210, online at www.ticketweb.com and at the Society Hill Playhouse Box Office at 507 S. 8th Street (near South Street).  Group rates, including special Girls' Night Out groups of 10 or more, are available.   

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