February 27, 2009


Feminism hailed in 'Vagina Monologues'

Everything you always wanted to know about women, but were afraid to ask (in public, at least).
That's right, "The Vagina Monologues" has returned to the Vandivort after a five-year absence to amuse, enlighten and perhaps even shock local theatergoers. (I can't even quote the best lines in this review.) Eve Ensler's controversial play about the joys of the female anatomy gets a stylish staging courtesy of director Rick Dines and his skilled quintet of free-speaking, shape-shifting actors Leslie Ballew, Kristin Farr, Stephanie Judkins, Chelsea Russell and Maxine Whittaker.
Each woman adopts several personas during the 95-minute piece, ranging from Ballew's intimate account of a young girl's first successful sexual encounter to Whittaker's poignant reflections of a 72-year- old who gave up sex altogether after a disastrous early experience. In between, there's Farr's chilling report of crimes against women in Bosnia; Judkins' witty portrait of a well-read Brit who overcomes her skepticism about feminist issues; and Russell's virtuosic and hilarious survey of female "moans" in all their permutations.
The subject matter can seem overly reductive at times. Declarations like "It was me, the essence of me" and "It's who you are" are either empowering or limiting, depending on your point of view. But part of Ensler's intention is to provoke discussion of primal matters that have been kept under covers for millennia. The Vandivort's provocative staging reaffirms the success of her endeavor.
Larry T. Collins reviews the performing arts for the News-Leader.