"The Menopause Monologues" that took LA by storm heads to NYC on 4/30! Join the Movement to Break the Silence

I had the privilege and pleasure of interviewing Menopause Monologues producer and director, Lulu Braunstein and Lisa Anne Morrison respectively. It's been a long time since I felt that kind of excitement, exuberance, exhilaration for a cause. This dynamic duo along with Menopause Monologues creator Carrie Vanhouten are a force to be reckoned with. The world is their oyster and they're ready to take on the fight to break the silence and stigma behind menopause.

Braunstein and Morrison expressed the need they feel to shed light on what women go through during menopause. They stressed the importance of bringing women and men alike into the conversation - as well as the medical community. Braunstein hopes that audiences take away that they are not alone, that they may feel crazy but they're not, and that they can fight for the help they need to be seen and heard as they are. She hopes the medical community will realize the urgency of teaching about menopause in schools to remove the taboo -A global analysis of medical textbooks found that 58% contained no mention of menopause.

Morrison concurred. "Men in the audience, even my 28 year old nephew, were moved by the performers' real life stories and appreciated the lack of male bashing. Empowering men to be there for the women in their lives, whether it is their mother, wife or sister, is intentional."

Both women talked about how honored they are to have medical professionals appear for a Q and A after each performance. Dr. Risa Kagan hosted the after show session and has been an advocate for 39 years pushing for menopause health benefits and a movement to educate health professionals. Lulu explains," So many women in our country don't have health care, so this is yet another difficult layer that women must navigate during this huge life change.

The commanding, compelling, captivating, charismatic cast involves women from their early 40's to late 70's and early 80's. Each show has a local component but some pieces remain, e.g. "Wise Women" performed by Jayne Taini here in L.A. Morrison stresses the importance of these stories which are all told from the perspective of women over 70 and how shamed they felt when they were going through menopause.

"It is critical to remember these stories, even while we watch the women in the next generations, share in our show. My generation (Gen X) is responding to the silence around women's health. We are doing this show to challenge stigma and foster open, compassionate conversation"

Morrison gives kudos and commendation to actress/writer Kirsten Vangsness (best known for her role as FBI Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia on CBS's Criminal Minds), for her commitment as an activist. "She's a die hard artist through and through." Kirsten performs her monologue, "Peri of the Pause of Meno," with the same vim and vigor as she does any role. Her impeccable timing and top notch skillset will keep you mesmerized, riveted, and intoxicated. Kirsten continues a monthly showcase called “BITS” at Theatre of NOTE for up and coming talents.

Another memorable moving moment is when local artist, Adria Becker paints, live on stage, her interpretation of a nude model - Julia Prud'homme. Morrison recalls, "Julia, a brilliant actor, is just so incredibly brave. She, like all of us in this industry, can be very down on herself and her post-menopausal frame. But after modeling onstage with Adria, Julia began to see herself through Adria's eyes." She could admire and appreciate her body as it is. I was inspired by

Prud'Homme's cool calm collected confidence, wishing I had a similar respect and reverence for my body. She was not just a nude model on stage but a role model for many.

Braunstein, Morrison, and Vanhouten are all on the same page regarding combining art, creativity, and the cause. Morrison expounds, "Our show as a whole allows performers and audience alike to leave feeling seen. The three of us are fueled by doing work at the intersection of social change and art.”

Braunstein brought to light how this premiere purposeful project came to fruition. "The three of us were on a hike talking about what was happening in our worlds, i.e. the confusion and frustration around this whole menopause thing. We're all storytellers, so Carrie said, ‘What about menopause monologues?’ I don’t think we even let her finish the sentence before we said- "YES."

Morrison declared, "We, as women're still decades behind in the healthcare we receive especially when we're done having babies."

Braunstein echoed these thoughts, "When you're done having babies, you're no longer useful. In the UK (Braunstein's birthplace) they're ahead of us in recognizing menopause care as crucial. The US has always felt to me to be more suppressive with anything that has to do with sex or our bodies."

This pristine proficient production arrives in NYC on April 30 playing thru May 3. Coincidentally, Menopause Monologues will be playing at HERE Arts Center, 145 SIXTH AVENUE, NY, NY 10013, the same 99 seat theatre where V Ensler first created and performed The Vagina Monologues. Although Ensler is not connected to this project, both women paid homage to the acclaimed activist/playwright with applause and accolades. "We were inspired by Vagina Monologues and wouldn't be here without her."