Menopause the Musical

The regional premiere of a musical about—of all things—menopause is now being performed at Capital Repertory Theatre. Menopause the Musical, by Jeanie Linders, is a celebration of women who are going through the infamous “change of life.” The audience is given insight into this natural phenomenon through the story of four women who meet and bond in the lingerie department of Bloomingdale’s; they share their anecdotes via more than 20 song parodies like “My Husband Sleeps Tonight” and “Puff, My God, I’m Draggin’.” Critics have touted the show’s hilarity; Liz Smith of the New York Post seemed to have summed up the critics’ response with her remark: “It’s impossible not to laugh.”

Menopause the Musical opened last night (Wednesday, June 13) at Capital Repertory Theatre (111 N. Pearl St., Albany) and will continue through July 29. Tickets for the performance is $41 to $46. For more information, including a full schedule and times, call the theater at 455-SHOW (7469) or visit capitalrep.org.

Juneteenth Celebration

We’re delighted to report that the Hamilton Hill Arts Center-sponsored Juneteenth Celebration is back and bigger than ever, in Schenectady’s Central Park this weekend. A commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth is a celebration of African-American life.

Saturday’s events will include a barbecue contest, children’s activities, a chess competition, 3-point and slam-dunk basketball-shooting contests, musical guests and the Black Cowboys. On Sunday, there will be a “Tribute to Fathers” (it’s their day, after all), gospel concert and interfaith service, art exhibit and the Black Cowboys.

The Juneteenth Festival will be held Saturday (June 16) from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday (June 17) from 11 AM to 5:30 PM in Schenectady’s Central Park. Admission is free. For more info and a detailed schedule of events, visit www.hamiltonhillarts center.org or call 346-1262.

Rooney

SoCal’s Rooney are back. Their new album is Calling the World and—on the advance copy that arrived over the transom, anyway—the cover shows the band marching along a sand dune, waving their flag high. Well, it’s the California state flag, with “Rooney” in place of “California Republic,” but you get the drift: It’s Rooney, saying: “We are here! We are back! Love our riffs!”

Well, good for them. A quick listen to the disc reveals the same propensity for catchy melodies and hooky hooks that enchanted the pop-rock world in 2003. And these California boys are still all about the girls. The musical references go a little farther afield this time, though. Seasoned listeners will be forgiven for jaw-drop reactions to intros that sound like . . . Hall & Oates? Don Henley? Holy s#!t, is that Kansas?

It’s all in good fun, however. The Kansas-influenced song turns out to be more Styx-influenced.

Rooney will perform Saturday (June 16) at 9 PM at Revolution Hall (421-425 River St., Troy). Tickets are $12. For more info, call 274-0553.