Ingrid Cole
This week I had the pleasure to ask Ingrid Cole a few questions about her current role in the play as well as some of her past performances and more! She plays “Earth Mother” in Menopause the Musical.
Menopause The Musical® is a groundbreaking celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change.” Now celebrating 14 years of female empowerment through hilarious musical comedy, Menopause The Musical® has evolved as a “grassroots” movement of women who deal with life adjustments after 40 by embracing each other and the road ahead.
Q & A With the “Earth Mother” in Menopause the Musical
Life Family & Fun: Can you describe your role as ‘Earth Mother’ ?
Ingrid Cole: I play the part of earth mother. She is the nurturer and caretaker of the group. She tries also to be the peacemaker but struggles with her own issues throughout the show. I always enjoy when people come up to me after the show and tell me that I reminded them of themselves or their sister or someone else in their lives. I think everyone will be able to relate to all the women on stage at some point during the show.
Life Family & Fun: This is not your first time in the role. How has your portrayal as the character changed throughout?
Ingrid Cole: I have really relaxed in this character over the years and have grown to love her. She and I are so much a like and I like that.
Life Family & Fun: What do you hope audiences will take from this play, “Menopause the Musical”?
Ingrid Cole: When you come into the theater and noticed that you’re surrounded by people just like you who are going through the change something magical happens. You walk in not knowing anyone and leave as family. During the 90 minutes you laugh and cry and sometimes both at the same time. You end up celebrating the thing that you’ve been dreading the most. It doesn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democrat or White or black if you’re a human being walking on the earth you will experience menopause. Men love the show because they can relate. Everyone has a mother or sister or aunt or coworker or know somebody who will be going through or has gone through the change. The songs are parodied from the 60s 70s and 80s and everyone loves the singing and dancing. It’s a high energy show that empowers people.
Life Family & Fun: What are some of your fondest memories when preparing for this particular play?
Ingrid Cole: All the talented women I’ve gotten to call my sisters over the years has to be the best part. As well as all the women who come up on stage and tell us through tears that they thought they were going crazy. They felt alone. Thank you for making me laugh. I haven’t laughed in over 2 years. Thank you.
Life Family & Fun: What are some of your best past performances you were a part of?
Ingrid Cole: I recently did my one woman show Cole sings Cole in Atlanta.
Life Family & Fun: How long have you been performing on stage?
Ingrid Cole: Since Middle school. However I sang my first solo when I was 8 in church.
Life Family & Fun: What about being ‘on stage’ that interests/excites you the most?
Ingrid Cole: I love the feedback from the audience. The energy.
Life Family & Fun: What is your dream role?
Ingrid Cole: Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard
Life Family & Fun: Being from metro Atlanta, what are your theater preferences or acting troupes that are a “can’t miss” for audiences?
Ingrid Cole: There are over 60 theatres in ATL that do wonderful great shows. People don’t realize how much is going on near them. They know about the Fox (which is great) but new shows are opening weekly here in the ATL. I like to tell people to go to http://www.atlantaperforms.com/Companies to see what’s playing.
Ingrid Cole is a critically acclaimed actor/singer based in Atlanta, GA. In 2010 and 2012, she was honored with a Suzi Bass Awards for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for A Catered Affair at the Aurora Theatre, and for her portrayal of Rose in Gypsy with the Atlanta Lyric Theatre. She has toured the US extensively with Menopause the Musical.
Other regional credits include Matron Mama Morton in Chicago, See What I Want to See (Suzi Bass Award for Best Ensemble and Atlanta Theatre Fan Winner Best Actress in a Musical) Music Man, Grand Night for Singing (Curtain Up Award Best Actress in a musical) The Medium, Into the Woods,Fiddler on the Roof,Call Me Madam, Ragtime, Pirates of Penzace, Iolanthe, The Mikado, Cinderella, A Funny Thing Happened…Forum, and Nunsense www.IngridCole.com
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