Leave the man at home for fun musical

• By EMILY KERN HEBERT
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: May 14, 2008 - Page: 1E - UPDATED: 12:25 a.m.

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Think just as funny and raunchy as “Sex and the City,” although definitely not as sophisticated.

The plot of “Girls Night — The Musical” involves a group of 40-ish friends who meet up at their favorite karaoke bar to celebrate a daughter’s engagement.

No one seems to mind that the bride-to-be never shows, however, and the old friends experience a wild night of singing, dancing and reminiscing about their teenage years.

Unlike “Sex and the City,” the audience isn’t drooling over the high fashion stiletto heels worn by the main characters.

In fact, Sharon, the narrator, playing a two-decades deceased friend watching over the group as an angel, wears a white denim jacket, white jeans rolled tight at the bottom and high-top tennis shoes.

“Girls Night” does provide that same feeling that the women in the show are more like sisters than friends.

Interspersed with dialogue, the characters take turns at the microphone belting out female anthems such as “I Will Survive” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

You definitely don’t want to drag the husband or boyfriend along for this one. They’ll thank you for taking the ladies and leaving them at home to watch the big game.

On opening night, only a handful of men were sprinkled throughout the audience of screaming, clapping, overly enthusiastic women.

Sharon, played by Crystal Kellogg, begins the show by pointing out the few guys and warning them, “You are very brave.” She then asks for a round of applause for them.

If you’re not convinced this show is better off girls only, consider that the nightclub set is bathed in pink light, pink upholstered chairs and pink drapery.

The comedic moments include an anatomically correct male blow-up doll used for a ring toss game, discussion of a mishap with a tampon and references to large breasts as “floor buffers.”

The show’s stars have their shining moments, including when Anita, played by Justine Hall, showcases her powerful vocals in “The Love of My Man.”