Melissa Etheridge has lived quite a lot of life. A lot in order that the early model of her autobiographical present was 4 or 5 hours lengthy.

“I needed to snip out quite a lot of the story strains,” Etheridge, 62, stated in a cellphone interview from her house in Los Angeles. “After which much more so for Broadway. It was taking out a few of my actually early childhood stuff, tightening up a few of the tales.”

However there was one second within the present, “Melissa Etheridge: My Window” — which may have its Broadway opening on Sept. 28 after a well-reviewed run at New World Levels final yr — that she knew she couldn’t minimize, although it’s the hardest half to get by means of: Her son’s demise at 21 from a drug overdose.

“I’m nonetheless working by means of it,” the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter stated of dropping her son, Beckett Cypher. “However that’s how I knew I needed to wrap it up — present folks what I’ve realized about myself, and being a mom, and about habit and never taking guilt on.”

Earlier than relocating to New York to start “My Window” rehearsals, Etheridge shared her cultural necessities, together with the album that made her a fan of Taylor Swift and her love for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. These are edited excerpts from the dialog.

1

Lululemon Pants

I used to be a denims woman, after which the pandemic hit, and I grew to become a sweatpants woman. Now my daughter and my spouse have gotten me hooked on Lululemon. I discovered this pair of pants — they’re sweatpants, however they’re actually skinny, however not like yoga pants which might be like “Oh, right here’s my ass” — and I used to be like, “These are implausible.” When you get into your 50s, it’s all about consolation.

2

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

I used to be born and raised in Leavenworth, Kan. I used to be 8 once we gained the Tremendous Bowl in 1970 and have been a fan ever since. I’m past loopy in regards to the Chiefs. My home is type of a Chiefs shrine — I’ve a pool desk with the workforce emblem on it and a Chiefs guitar strap.

3

Xeriscaping

Once we had our enormous drought in Southern California, I checked out my massive, lovely yard with all this grass and I’m like, “Why do I’ve massive, thick grass in a desert? And why am I watering it always?” So I turned to xeriscape, which goes again to native, drought-tolerant vegetation.

4

Quinton Hypertonic

I’m all the time in search of methods to get sufficient electrolytes and magnesium. My tour supervisor, who’s much more of a well being nut than I’m, stated “These are nice, do that.” Plus, it makes my water style actually delicate.

5

Esther Hicks

After I went by means of most cancers 19 years in the past, it was an enormous wake-up name about well being and life. I got here throughout her early regulation of attraction stuff — the concept that we’re creating our actuality and that our pleasure and our happiness creates extra pleasure and happiness — and it actually spoke to me. It makes extra sense than any faith.

6

My Gibson Chuck Berry Seventies ES-355 Reproduction Murphy Lab Guitar

I just lately went all the way down to Nashville with my band and my crew, and all of us went to the Gibson Storage. They took me again into the vault, which dazzled me. They stated, “Right here, you possibly can borrow this guitar on your tour,” and I began taking part in it and was like, “OMG, that is the best factor! I’ve to have it.” I believe I’ll use it in the previous few numbers of the present.

7

Smoking With Strangers Outside

I like that hashish is lastly authorized in New York Metropolis. The final time I used to be there over the summer time, in search of a spot to smoke, I noticed some ladies sitting on a bench in Washington Sq. Park smoking, and I requested, “Can we simply sit and smoke now?” And he or she was like, “Yeah, it’s nice.”

8

Taylor Swift

It was my daughter who acquired me hooked — I used to drive her as much as boarding faculty, and we’d take heed to the entire “1989” album. Then I went to a present in Chicago together with her in June, and I regarded round on the viewers and stated, “That is superb.”

9

Springbok Puzzles

I’m an enormous puzzler. It began 20 years in the past once I was present process chemotherapy and didn’t have the vitality to do the rest. It helps preserve my thoughts sharp and relaxed. I like Springbok puzzles not solely as a result of they’re from my house in Kansas Metropolis, however as a result of the items are distinctive — I don’t just like the puzzles the place all of the items look the identical — and the standard is implausible.

10

Dine-In Film Theaters

I like this new development of actually fancy theaters. Right here in Westlake we’ve got one referred to as Cinépolis the place they carry you dinner within the theater — and that is precise actual meals; you may get a hummus platter or a pleasant salad. I noticed “Barbie” on the street just lately at a dine-in theater in Lexington, Ky. I cherished it! It made me chuckle so laborious. I’m able to see it once more.