Musical takes funny look at middle age

Middle age is a nearly universal experience. And, if Carole Altman can convince just one local entertainment director of that, a hotel showroom will boast a new musical.

Altman, a psychologist, sex therapist and self-described theater aficionado, added the title of producer to her name when she brought the musical "I Know I Came in Here for Something" to town in May. It has had a handful of runs at local libraries and retirement communities since then. The show is scheduled for the Summerlin library at 3 p.m. Sunday .

After seeing it at summer stock in the Berkshire Mountains last year, Altman thought it was perfect for Las Vegas. She told the director as much. He agreed with her, but instead of packing his bags and heading west, "he told me to bring it to Vegas," Altman says.

The musical, written by Carl Ritchie with music by Wayne Moore, features a cast of four singing 24 songs about middle age. There are songs about memory failure, high school reunions and aging parents. "You just get involved emotionally, it's funny, it makes people laugh," Altman says. "We just felt so good when we saw it, we wanted to share it."

Altman enlisted the help of Camille Duskin, founder of the Gateway Arts Foundation, a local nonprofit that supports up-and-coming artists. Duskin directs; 10 percent of ticket proceeds go to the organization.

The ultimate plan is to land a gig at a hotel showroom, Altman says. They've hired an agent and reached out to entertainment directors around town. So far, they have had no luck.

"We've spoken to a lot of entertainment directors at hotels, and they are looking for 22 year-olds," Altman says. "They're not looking for the next 'Menopause.' All you can hope for is that one hotel will have an opening in the afternoon. The entertainment directors haven't been very kind."

That's not deterring Altman, however.

"This town is a retirement town, we must have a half-million retirees," Altman says. "We haven't really put any deadline on it, we're going to continue with shows at senior centers."

Tickets are $18 general admission, $15 for seniors. To buy tickets, visit gateway artsfoundation.org or call 360-8340.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@review journal.com or 702-380-4564.