Stage Capsule Reviews

Menopause, the Musical Let's see: hot flash strife, Lot's new wife —what else rhymes with change of life? Find out when Kansas City's cheeriest theater, the American Heartland, makes penance for last month's god-awful Duck Hunter Shoots Angelby reviving its well-received 2004 hit about women's lives after 40. The Heartland has scheduled a long run for the popular show — girls born this week will be able to identify with it before it closes. Through Oct. 29 at the American Heartland Theatre at Crown Center, 2450 Grand, 816-842-9999.

Tick, Tick ... Boom! Thin but engaging, this autobiographical musical by Rentcomposer Jonathon Larson is an all-singing-and-dancing portrait of the artist hitting 30 and feeling sorry for himself. The story is insular, and not all the songs register, but fine performances elevate everything. As Jon, John-Michael Zuerlein brings a shrugging charisma to a character that could seem self-involved, and Sarah Crawford and Tim Scott shine as a host of supporting characters. And the band comes as close as musical theater can to actually rocking without sounding like Meat Loaf. It's all proof that, with time, experience and a willingness to seek inspiration outside his own life, Larson might have been as great as Rent fans proclaim him. Through July 16 at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main, 816-531-7529, ext. 10. Reviewed in our June 22 issue.