The Vagina Monologues

It’s been a few weeks since the show, but here is my review of The Vagina Monologues.

From the bill: “The award-winning play is based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women. With humor and grace the show celebrates women’s sexuality and strength. Through the liberation of this one word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. For more than twelve years, The Vagina Monologues has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public.”

The first act was, for the most part, full of humor. “Hair” performed by Heidi Gunio pointed out the hypocrisy of making women shave their vaginas. Of course anatomically speaking women can’t actually shave their vagina, but that’s beside the point, I suppose. She laments over how her husband wants her to be smooth but it makes her feel like a child. Their couple’s therapist tells her that marriage is about compromises and she should do it for him! In the true spirit of feminism, she says Hell No!

“Because He Liked to Look at It” performed by Hilda Myer was about a man that loved vaginas and a woman that absolutely hated hers. She thought it was hideous and when having sex, she would pretend it was something else. Then someone special came along. This man, Bob, adored vaginas. He loved just to sit and look and examine and admire them. He helped this woman overcome her hated of her vagina and learned to celebrate its beauty.

For me, the most moving piece, “My Vagina Was My Village” performed by Leslie Cairns and Nicole King was the most moving. Referencing the Bosnian and Kosovo wars (1992-1995 and 1996-1999, respectively), the two women are meant to be one, describing the damage that war rape has on women. The two actors contrast how one woman felt before and after the atrocities performed against her. Before, she had a healthy, loving relationship with her vagina and with sex. It was beautiful and happy. Then she describes being raped with rifles, glass bottles, and broom handles for 7 days by men covered in sweat, blood, and bodily fluids. She goes on to describe how these rapes hurt, define, and changes a person.

Each performance was entertaining and informative in its own way. While the audience was pretty full, if not sold out, I do wish they could perform for a larger audience. The taboo around the word “vagina” is really astounding. Of course the taboo around sex that still remains still tends to surprise me, though I can understand this taboo. The word “penis” could turn me beet red just a couple of years ago. I wish I could have taken all of my friends and family and my boyfriend to see and perhaps get a glimpse of the things I try to accomplish as a women’s study minor. Acceptance of vaginas and women as beautiful and sexual people, rather than just objects to be lusted over is something that we all need to work towards.

The women in this play did an absolutely fantastic job, and if you ever have the opportunity to see the play in the future, I highly recommend you take advantage.

Victoria Rader - EC Post (Post...9?)