In the Wings: Ingrid Cole of Menopause: The Musical

They’re having a hot flash! A tropical hot flash! The hit parody Menopause: The Musical, which features pop songs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, is returning to the City of Brotherly Love for an extended run at the Penn’s Landing Playhouse. We caught up with Ingrid Cole, who plays the Earth Mother in the outrageous comedy. She talks about her love of RuPaul, her crush on Glenn Close, and what she loves about performing in Philadelphia.

My name is … Ingrid Cole but my license plate reads “TheMerm”… after Ethel Merman.

I am … really a gay man trapped in a lesbian body. I love all things flamboyant and fabulous. RuPaul for president/ Latrice Royale VP.

On opening night … you can find me with the prettiest girl in the room, which is my wife.

My favorite part of the show … is our little secret song that we sing right at the beginning of the show behind the curtain.

To get into character for this show… It doesn’t take much. I play a middle-age matronly woman, which is pretty much my life. I’m the peacemaker. I play the hippie, so it’s not a stretch.

My first stage kiss … was in a show called Baby. I was 19 playing a 45-year-old woman at the time. I’ve been playing the Witch, The Grandmother, The Old Lady since I was 6. My first kiss with a girl was 26. (I was a little late).

My dream role … is Ms. Lovett in Sweeney Todd.

My surprising celebrity crushes … are Glenn Close, Betty Buckley, and Lea DeLaria.

The last thing I binge-watched was … Grace and Frankie.

To stay in shape I … eat low-calorie Oreos dipped in peanut butter over Kit Kat bars with skim milk.

The last time I dined out in Philadelphia, I ate … at the [Reading] Terminal. There’s a pork sandwich there that I keep dreaming about. I’ll be back.

The best show I saw in Philly recently … was Man of La Mancha at the Walnut. I was there a few years ago and my friend was in the production. I just thought it was wonderful.

The best thing about Philadelphia’s arts scene is … the variety. There so much to do there every weekend. I’ve also noticed working there in the past how sophisticated the patrons are who come see our shows. I guess it’s from being so close to New York that Philly audiences expect their actors and productions to be top-notch.

You can catch Ingrid and her fellow actors in Menopause: The Musical from September 30th through November 22nd. For tickets and more information, click here.