2008 Woodie Awards
She said, he said: Vaginas!
"In some states, guns are legal, but vibrators aren't!"
Beth S. Elliot
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
I had never seen Vagina Monologues, but I had been wanting to for a while. Saturday's performance did not let me down. Candid, hilarious, sad, engaging, enlightening, entertaining and oh so true, this play was unlike anything I had seen before - and I loved it!
One of my favorites was the monologue titled "My Angry Vagina." Jasmyne Walton did an outstanding job spouting fury at the injustices done to the vagina.
"My vagina's not going away. It's pissed off and it's staying right here!" But my favorite line of all:
"Don't believe him when he tells you it smells like rose petals, when it's supposed to smell like pussy."
Although most of the cast were amateur actors, they each did a fabulous job. I have to say, these women are braver than most. But that's the whole point, isn't it? To talk about things we normally don't?
Adrienne Ione's "Outrageous Fact" taught me something. Did you know it is illegal to sell vibrators in five U.S. states? Can you believe that? Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Virginia all have anti-indecency laws that prohibit the sale of vibrators. Yet it is perfectly legal to sell guns. Go figure.
"My Vagina Was My Village" is a piece where a Bosnian woman discussed her vagina before and after being raped while in captivity. It was the most emotional performance, in my opinion, done splendidly by Melinda Ausserer.
One of the funniest monologues was "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy." It is the story of a former tax lawyer turned dominatrix who only works with women and has a fascination with hearing them moan.
Cast members gathered onstage to demonstrate the different kinds of moans. I watched in shock while the actors performed a variety of moans. The Mountain Top Moan was demonstrated with yodeling, and the Catholic School Girl Moan had actor Blythe Oliver on her knees, hands together,
screaming, "Oh, yes, oh yes, forgive me father, oh yes, for I have sinned!"
Other subjects discussed in Eve Ensler's play were female genital mutilation, transgender discrimination, giving birth, and pubic hair. (Oh, gosh, did I just say "pubic hair?") It was a wonderful play that men and woman of all ages seemed to enjoy. If you didn't get a chance to see it, don't worry, the play will be back next year, as will I. It makes a great Valentine's Day gift.
One of my favorites was the monologue titled "My Angry Vagina." Jasmyne Walton did an outstanding job spouting fury at the injustices done to the vagina.
"My vagina's not going away. It's pissed off and it's staying right here!" But my favorite line of all:
"Don't believe him when he tells you it smells like rose petals, when it's supposed to smell like pussy."
Although most of the cast were amateur actors, they each did a fabulous job. I have to say, these women are braver than most. But that's the whole point, isn't it? To talk about things we normally don't?
Adrienne Ione's "Outrageous Fact" taught me something. Did you know it is illegal to sell vibrators in five U.S. states? Can you believe that? Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Virginia all have anti-indecency laws that prohibit the sale of vibrators. Yet it is perfectly legal to sell guns. Go figure.
"My Vagina Was My Village" is a piece where a Bosnian woman discussed her vagina before and after being raped while in captivity. It was the most emotional performance, in my opinion, done splendidly by Melinda Ausserer.
One of the funniest monologues was "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy." It is the story of a former tax lawyer turned dominatrix who only works with women and has a fascination with hearing them moan.
Cast members gathered onstage to demonstrate the different kinds of moans. I watched in shock while the actors performed a variety of moans. The Mountain Top Moan was demonstrated with yodeling, and the Catholic School Girl Moan had actor Blythe Oliver on her knees, hands together,
screaming, "Oh, yes, oh yes, forgive me father, oh yes, for I have sinned!"
Other subjects discussed in Eve Ensler's play were female genital mutilation, transgender discrimination, giving birth, and pubic hair. (Oh, gosh, did I just say "pubic hair?") It was a wonderful play that men and woman of all ages seemed to enjoy. If you didn't get a chance to see it, don't worry, the play will be back next year, as will I. It makes a great Valentine's Day gift.
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