Plan a ‘Girls Night’ Out
By Randall G. Mielke For Sun-Times Media May 15, 2012 6:00PM
"Girls Night: The Musical," written by Louise Roche, follows five friends in their 30s and 40s during a wild girls' night out at a karaoke bar.
‘Girls Night: The Musical’
Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
8 p.m. May 19
$41.50 and $47.50
Visit www.geneseetheatre.com or call (847) 263-6300
Updated: May 16, 2012 10:48AM
Although actress Tina Jensen, who plays Carol in the stage presentation of “Girls Night: The Musical,” believes that many audience members appreciate the great songs in the show, she also thinks there is a bit of a message.
“I think it speaks to women and girlfriends
who go through a lot of ups and downs,” Jensen said. “But through thick and thin, you find that your relationships are stronger. I think we find that we are not always perfect, but we have always been there for each other.”
“Girls Night: The Musical” will be presented at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Karaoke night
“Girls Night: The Musical,” written by Louise Roche, follows five friends in their 30s and 40s during a wild girls’ night out at a karaoke bar. The narrator, Sharon, is an angel because she died many years ago. Her closest friends are gathering years later to celebrate the engagement of Sharon’s daughter, Candy Rose. Friends since their teens, these women have had their share of heartache, joy and success.
In addition to Sharon, the characters are Carol, the party girl; blunt Anita, who tells it like it is; Liza and her “issues”; and Kate, the designated driver. Together, they reminisce, celebrate their current lives and look to the future.
“The show is about these five best friends who are together for an engagement party for one of the daughters,” Jensen said. “It is in a karaoke bar. Throughout the night they get up and dance and get the audience involved.”
During the course of the show the women sing such songs as: “Lady Marmalade,” “It’s Raining Men,” “Man, I Feel Like A Woman,” “Say a Little Prayer,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “I Will Survive,” and “We Are Family.”
Audience helps
Jensen said that having audience members participate during the show is part of the show’s appeal.
“What is fun about the show is that we encourage the audience to get involved,” she said. “It is set in a karaoke bar, so the audience is in the bar with you.”
But the aspect of the show that is appealing also makes it risky.
“Sometimes the audience is not shy and you never know what will happen,” Jensen said. “Sometimes it is a game of ad lib. One time a woman got into it so much that during a song she slapped me on my butt.”
But despite the possibility of unruly audience members, Jensen enjoys performing in the show.
“Sometimes it is tough, doing eight shows a week,” said Jensen of the work schedule. “It’s work. But the minute you are on stage and the audience is enjoying the show, it is all worth it.”
