Filled with wit, humor and the occasional song, DIVA by DIVA is a cabaret-style affair that makes light of women growing old - showing its irrelatively to growing up.
Many have heard of Menopause: The Musical and its fresh view of the aging situation; now imagine taking a fresh view with every performance. This is the premise of DIVA by DIVA.
Created by Mary Kate O'Connell, the script is rewritten and changed before every showing. Drawing people from the area into its ranks, the cast rarely features the same faces twice.
Friday night's performance at the Allendale Theater of Youth (TOY) featured staff from the Buffalo News, as well as TOY members and other local talents. With the script geared to a Buffalo audience, DIVA delivered jokes about the life and city to receptive and understanding ears.
While the content of the musical speaks primarily to women over 40, the play is still remarkably entertaining to those who have a strong relationship with their mother or grandmother. However, the average masculine male (most likely dragged to the performance against his will) will undoubtedly find himself in a bored stupor.
And for those with short attention spans, the musical runs at about three hours in length and many may find themselves wondering when the show will end.
Although Friday's performance was lengthy and slow at times, there was a smooth progression throughout; an experience unexpected from a cast who received their scripts only an hour beforehand.
Set on a bare stage with stools reminiscent of those found in a high school science lab, and involving practically no movement, the play requires its colorful cast to hold the audience's undivided attention.
Dressed in customary black with sparkling jewelry, the DIVAs' personalities make up for their Spartan surroundings. Although the newest DIVAs (and there are several, with 250 women having come and gone over the years) don't bring as much acting experience to the table, the more permanent members help pick up the slack.
Rounding out the evening with an introduction of all the performers, the show covered everything from husbands and children to bathing suits and tummy tucks.
Starting 10 years ago, DIVA by DIVA is going strong and supporting their cause, giving proceeds to battered women and children havens throughout Western New York.
If you missed them Friday, DIVA by DIVA can be seen every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at The Cabaret in the Square Theatre in Snyder, N.Y.
