Imagine Meg Ryan multiplied by 15. That will give you a bit of the sense of 15 women simulating orgasm on the stage of the Varsity Theatre.
The event was Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues," sponsored by the Women's Resources and Research Center, the Department of Theatre and Dance, and Campus Violence Prevention Program as a fund raiser for the upcoming "V-Day" (February 14). Funds raised during the run of this production will beneft the Family Protection Clinic of UCD Law School and the Hmong Women's Heritage Association.
This is the fifth time I've seen The Vagina Monologues in the past 12-15 months and the amazing thing to me is the wide variety in interpretation of the material. The piece, which grew out of interviews that Eve Ensler did with more than 200 women, recount the wide range of feelings that women have regarding that central portion of their anatomy.
Of the piece, Ensler explains, "I talked with hundreds of women. I talked to old women, young women, married women, single women, lesbians, college professors, actors, corporate professionals, sex workers, African American women, Hispanic women, Asian American women, Native American women, Caucasian women, Jewish women. At first, women were reluctant to talk. They were a little shy. But once they got going, you couldn't stop them."
The resulting script is funny, frank, poignant, and definitely contains "mature" material. The program explains that "performers read from the script to remind the audience that these are real women's stories."
Ensler performs it as a solo. Without Ensler, it has been usually done by three actresses sitting on the stage, each reading from the script. The UCD production, under the direction of John Lawton-Haehi (and assistant Shannon Davis) takes a different approach.
The curtain opens on fifteen women sitting in chairs or on the floor, dressed in shades of black accented by bright red feather boas (visually quite stunning). The material is then performed, sometimes by the group as a whole, each reciting a line or two, sometimes by individuals stepping out of the group to do a solo piece. The program does not list the names of the individual performers, which is a little frustrating for a reviewer.
This year's group consists of: Emily Grande, Jihna Ejan, Stephanie Sanchez, Marie Masson, sunny Nordmarken, Margaret McClellend, Antoinette Kohlmeister, Holly Rash, Keisha Sheffield, Jennifer Hoofard, Jaime Williams, Linda Rentner, Lauren Miller, Laura Gephart and Rebekah Piplo.
It's a more uneven assemblage than the previous cast. There are exceptional performances, and ordinary performances, and some who had difficulty with projection, so that their lines got lost in the vastness of the Varsity Theatre.
But, as the saying goes, "when they were good, they were very, very good."
Among the "very, very good" pieces was "The Flood," the story of a New York Jewish grandmother who is being asked about her "down there" for the first time in her life. The actress who brings this woman to life does so so skillfully that you forget she is a young college student and see, instead, the old woman she is portraying. The old woman is alternately appalled and delighted to be talking about her "down there," and in the end amazed that anybody would even be interested.
A piece I had not seen before, about the naming of vaginas was beautifully acted.
"My Angry Vagina" is very funny piece, given a bravura performance, about the indignities that vaginas are forced to suffer--everything from tampons to the "cold duck lips" of gynecological examinations. ("Why the rubber gloves? Why the flashlight all up there like Nancy Drew working against gravity, why the Nazi steel stirrups, the mean cold duck lips they shove inside you?")
Always a strong moment, "The Little Coochie Snorcher that Could" does not disappoint. A strong, striking actress recounts the story of a woman who grew up hating her vagina and how she learned to love it and herself.
The penultimate moment is a litany of types of orgasms, culminating in one gigantic triple orgasm for 15. The audience laughed and cheered.
The piece takes the audience to the depths of reality, with accounts of the rape of women in Bosnia and genital mutilation and then leads them out again with stories which are funny or just plain touching (such as the interview of a 6 year old girl. The actress playing the 6 year old is delightful).
While this year's offering does not have the impact of last year's, the sold-out house was on its feet cheering at the end and I don't think anybody went home unaffected. The cause is a good one. The play is a delight. And be sure to buy some of those chocolate truffles in the lobby before you go in!
Stars: 4
Showing posts with label "The Vagina Monologues". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "The Vagina Monologues". Show all posts
Thursday, February 06, 2003
Thursday, September 12, 2002
The Vagina Monologues
Several hundred women and a handful of men rose to their feet to give a standing ovation at the conclusion of opening night of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues," playing at The Crest Theatre in Sacramento for 7 shows only, through September 22.
This 90 minute cult classic celebration of womanhood has been performed in 40 countries and translated into 35 different languages. There are currently two professional companies touring around the United States.
The show is both a celebration of women's sexuality and a condemnation of its violation. It is a compilation of very empowering stories about women coming to terms with their sexuality. It frees the audience to say "the 'V' word" and brings sheer delight to feminism.
Ensler spoke with hundreds of women--old women, young women, married women, single women, lesbians, college professors, actors, corporate professionals, sex workers, African American women, Hispanic women, Asian American women, Native American women, Caucasian women, Jewish women. "At first, women were reluctant to talk," says Ensler. "They were a little shy. But once they got going, you couldn't stop them." The resulting script is funny, frank, poignant, and definitely contains "mature" material.
Performers read from index cards to remind the audience that these are real women's stories. Ensler believes the index cards provide a connection between the performers and those women.
This particular production, featuring Glynis Bell and Rhonda Ross is designed to feature a celebrity with ties to the local community joining the other two women, sitting on stage discussing the most intimate details of a woman's body. September 18-20, the third chair is occupied by The Zone's Monica Lowe. September 21-22 The View's Lisa Ling will join Bell and Ross.
There are 17 monologues ranging from interesting bits of information (e.g., there are twice as many nerve endings in a clitoris as in a penis) to the descriptive (a marvelous account of a gynecology exam. "WARM THE DUCK LIPS!") to a list of responses to questions like "if your vagina got dressed, what would it wear?" or "if your vagina could talk, what would it say?"
(Some set pieces from previous versions of the show, such as the dated "Under the Burqua," have been eliminated in this production.)
The actresses are at their best, however, when they tell the stories. Glynis Bell shines when reading "The Flood," an interview with a 72 year old woman who had never seen her vagina, never had an orgasm ("Down there? I haven't been down there since 1953."). Equally strong is her reading of "The Little Coochi Snorcher that Could," the story of a battered woman in a homeless shelter ("My Coochi Snorcher is a very bad place, a place of pain, nastiness, punching, invasion and blood. It's a site for mishaps. It's a bad-luck-zone.")
She is at her very best, however, in "The Women Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy," a piece which very definitely needs to be seen to be appreciated, and which generated the strongest reaction from the audience.
Rhonda Ross is very funny relating the R-rated "My Angry Vagina" which discusses feminine hygiene products, physical exams and underwear. She also reclaims some pejorative terms for female parts, leading the audience in a chant to remove the stigma.
As the guest performer, Monica Lowe was the weakest of the three, and the disparity was unfortunate. Though guest performers are not expected to have the script memorized (a deliberate instruction), the reading of her material was often hesitant, stumbling, and provided a contrast to the stronger actresses. She seemed much less comfortable on the stage.
This is a funny, moving, empowering play. Bring your teen age daughters, bring your elderly mother, bring your lesbian neighbor, and even bring your male friends, who will certainly learn a lot they never knew before. You will leave with a whole new appreciation of your body, your femininity, and your power as a woman.
A portion of the proceeds of this show will to directly to V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day will then pass the contribution on to Sacramento organizations: My Sister's House, a safe haven established for battered Asian and Pacific Islander women and children; WEAVE, established for women escaping a violent environment; and Citrus Heights Women's Center, which opened in 2000 to provide services for victims of domestic violence in the community.
Stars: 4
Remaining performances:
9/19 - 8 p.m. (Monica Lowe)
9/20 - 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Monica Lowe)
9/21 - 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Lisa Ling)
9/22 - 2 p.m. (Lisa Ling)
This 90 minute cult classic celebration of womanhood has been performed in 40 countries and translated into 35 different languages. There are currently two professional companies touring around the United States.
The show is both a celebration of women's sexuality and a condemnation of its violation. It is a compilation of very empowering stories about women coming to terms with their sexuality. It frees the audience to say "the 'V' word" and brings sheer delight to feminism.
Ensler spoke with hundreds of women--old women, young women, married women, single women, lesbians, college professors, actors, corporate professionals, sex workers, African American women, Hispanic women, Asian American women, Native American women, Caucasian women, Jewish women. "At first, women were reluctant to talk," says Ensler. "They were a little shy. But once they got going, you couldn't stop them." The resulting script is funny, frank, poignant, and definitely contains "mature" material.
Performers read from index cards to remind the audience that these are real women's stories. Ensler believes the index cards provide a connection between the performers and those women.
This particular production, featuring Glynis Bell and Rhonda Ross is designed to feature a celebrity with ties to the local community joining the other two women, sitting on stage discussing the most intimate details of a woman's body. September 18-20, the third chair is occupied by The Zone's Monica Lowe. September 21-22 The View's Lisa Ling will join Bell and Ross.
There are 17 monologues ranging from interesting bits of information (e.g., there are twice as many nerve endings in a clitoris as in a penis) to the descriptive (a marvelous account of a gynecology exam. "WARM THE DUCK LIPS!") to a list of responses to questions like "if your vagina got dressed, what would it wear?" or "if your vagina could talk, what would it say?"
(Some set pieces from previous versions of the show, such as the dated "Under the Burqua," have been eliminated in this production.)
The actresses are at their best, however, when they tell the stories. Glynis Bell shines when reading "The Flood," an interview with a 72 year old woman who had never seen her vagina, never had an orgasm ("Down there? I haven't been down there since 1953."). Equally strong is her reading of "The Little Coochi Snorcher that Could," the story of a battered woman in a homeless shelter ("My Coochi Snorcher is a very bad place, a place of pain, nastiness, punching, invasion and blood. It's a site for mishaps. It's a bad-luck-zone.")
She is at her very best, however, in "The Women Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy," a piece which very definitely needs to be seen to be appreciated, and which generated the strongest reaction from the audience.
Rhonda Ross is very funny relating the R-rated "My Angry Vagina" which discusses feminine hygiene products, physical exams and underwear. She also reclaims some pejorative terms for female parts, leading the audience in a chant to remove the stigma.
As the guest performer, Monica Lowe was the weakest of the three, and the disparity was unfortunate. Though guest performers are not expected to have the script memorized (a deliberate instruction), the reading of her material was often hesitant, stumbling, and provided a contrast to the stronger actresses. She seemed much less comfortable on the stage.
This is a funny, moving, empowering play. Bring your teen age daughters, bring your elderly mother, bring your lesbian neighbor, and even bring your male friends, who will certainly learn a lot they never knew before. You will leave with a whole new appreciation of your body, your femininity, and your power as a woman.
A portion of the proceeds of this show will to directly to V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day will then pass the contribution on to Sacramento organizations: My Sister's House, a safe haven established for battered Asian and Pacific Islander women and children; WEAVE, established for women escaping a violent environment; and Citrus Heights Women's Center, which opened in 2000 to provide services for victims of domestic violence in the community.
Stars: 4
Remaining performances:
9/19 - 8 p.m. (Monica Lowe)
9/20 - 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Monica Lowe)
9/21 - 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Lisa Ling)
9/22 - 2 p.m. (Lisa Ling)
Wednesday, February 13, 2002
The Vagina Monologues
Vagina, vagina, vagina, vagina.
If the words make you uncomfortable, "The Vagina Monologues" is probably not for you, though the producers feel that "everyone should see it, whether you have one or not."
Sponsored by the Women's Resources and Research Center, Department of Theatre and Dance and Campus Violence Prevention Program, "The Vagina Monologuse" is part of the V-Day 2002 College Campaign, a worldwide movement to stop violence against women and girls and proclaim Valentine's Day a time to celebrate women and demand the end to abuse.
Written by Eve Ensler, "The Vagina Monologues" is 90 minutes of women on stage, sometimes alone, sometimes in groups, reading the experiences of the more than 200 women Ensler interviewed and used as the basis for this show about women's most private of private parts. It is both a celebration of women's sexuality and a condemnation of its violation
Ensler explains, "I talked with hundreds of women. I talked to old women, young women, married women, single women, lesbians, college professors, actors, corporate professionals, sex workers, African American women, Hispanic women, Asian American women, Native American women, Caucasian women, Jewish women. At first, women were reluctant to talk. They were a little shy. But once they got going, you couldn't stop them."
The resulting script is funny, frank, poignant, and definitely contains "mature" material. The program explains that "performers read from the script to remind the audience that these are real women's stories."
The Wyatt Pavillion was filled with laughing and cheering women of all ages, from young college students to elderly women, all clapping enthusiastically. There was a sprinkling of men, but they were definitely in the minority. (Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding, we arrived 30 minutes late, and missed the first 7 segments of the 17 presented.)
Director John Lawton-Haehl has assembled a cast of fourteen remarkable actors: Amy Avina, Sharon Braden, ShaDonna Chambers, Jessica Ehr, Chelsea Kashin, Christine Khoo, Sharon Porter McAllister, Sunny Nordmarken, Jennifer Owens, Rebekah Pipolo, Holly Rash, Linda Renter, Jill Schmitz and Ivanna Wood.
Individual actors are not identified for the specific segments in which they were featured, which is in part too bad because it would be nice to give kudos where they are deserved, but this is such an ensemble show with all performances so strong that perhaps it's for the best.
The play runs the gamut from two very moving pieces about women under Taliban rule and women raped in Bosnia to a simulated orgasmic experience. There is also a very moving description of the author's presence at the birth of her grandchild.
Particularly enjoyable was "My Angry Vagina," describing society's assault on vaginas (tampons, gynecology exams, thong underwear). Likewise "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy" was outstanding, as much for the performance as for the material itself. And as for the depiction of orgasm--you just have to see it. Meg Ryan may have met her match.
But the play is not all fun and games. It makes a powerful statement about subjects such as genital mutilation, rape, and oppression. The material about Taliban rule and burkas is, of course, dated, but it is still important to be able to understand what it must have been like for woman living under Taliban rule.
"The Vagina Monologues" is an empowering play. If any woman came hesitantly to the theatre, I'm certain she left with a whole new appreciation of her body, her femininity, and her power as a woman.
Two more performances of "The Vagina Monologues" remain - February 13 at UC Davis Wyatt Theatre and February 15 at the Varsity Theatre. Both performances begin a 7 p.m.
Stars: 5
If the words make you uncomfortable, "The Vagina Monologues" is probably not for you, though the producers feel that "everyone should see it, whether you have one or not."
Sponsored by the Women's Resources and Research Center, Department of Theatre and Dance and Campus Violence Prevention Program, "The Vagina Monologuse" is part of the V-Day 2002 College Campaign, a worldwide movement to stop violence against women and girls and proclaim Valentine's Day a time to celebrate women and demand the end to abuse.
Written by Eve Ensler, "The Vagina Monologues" is 90 minutes of women on stage, sometimes alone, sometimes in groups, reading the experiences of the more than 200 women Ensler interviewed and used as the basis for this show about women's most private of private parts. It is both a celebration of women's sexuality and a condemnation of its violation
Ensler explains, "I talked with hundreds of women. I talked to old women, young women, married women, single women, lesbians, college professors, actors, corporate professionals, sex workers, African American women, Hispanic women, Asian American women, Native American women, Caucasian women, Jewish women. At first, women were reluctant to talk. They were a little shy. But once they got going, you couldn't stop them."
The resulting script is funny, frank, poignant, and definitely contains "mature" material. The program explains that "performers read from the script to remind the audience that these are real women's stories."
The Wyatt Pavillion was filled with laughing and cheering women of all ages, from young college students to elderly women, all clapping enthusiastically. There was a sprinkling of men, but they were definitely in the minority. (Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding, we arrived 30 minutes late, and missed the first 7 segments of the 17 presented.)
Director John Lawton-Haehl has assembled a cast of fourteen remarkable actors: Amy Avina, Sharon Braden, ShaDonna Chambers, Jessica Ehr, Chelsea Kashin, Christine Khoo, Sharon Porter McAllister, Sunny Nordmarken, Jennifer Owens, Rebekah Pipolo, Holly Rash, Linda Renter, Jill Schmitz and Ivanna Wood.
Individual actors are not identified for the specific segments in which they were featured, which is in part too bad because it would be nice to give kudos where they are deserved, but this is such an ensemble show with all performances so strong that perhaps it's for the best.
The play runs the gamut from two very moving pieces about women under Taliban rule and women raped in Bosnia to a simulated orgasmic experience. There is also a very moving description of the author's presence at the birth of her grandchild.
Particularly enjoyable was "My Angry Vagina," describing society's assault on vaginas (tampons, gynecology exams, thong underwear). Likewise "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy" was outstanding, as much for the performance as for the material itself. And as for the depiction of orgasm--you just have to see it. Meg Ryan may have met her match.
But the play is not all fun and games. It makes a powerful statement about subjects such as genital mutilation, rape, and oppression. The material about Taliban rule and burkas is, of course, dated, but it is still important to be able to understand what it must have been like for woman living under Taliban rule.
"The Vagina Monologues" is an empowering play. If any woman came hesitantly to the theatre, I'm certain she left with a whole new appreciation of her body, her femininity, and her power as a woman.
Two more performances of "The Vagina Monologues" remain - February 13 at UC Davis Wyatt Theatre and February 15 at the Varsity Theatre. Both performances begin a 7 p.m.
Stars: 5
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