People disagree about whether Eve Ensler’s play “The Vagina Monologues” is an enlightening work of brilliance or a vulgar harangue about the oppression of women. Some find its outspokenness brave and inspiring; others think it’s childish and amoral. But whatever you think about the play’s literary merits or its politically charged messages, it’s hard to argue with the enthusiasm and motivation of the ten student actresses who will perform in the USM Women’s Resource Center’s production of the show this week.
Ensler’s script is based on her “vagina interviews” with over 200 women and girls, ranging in age from six to 75. First published in 1998, “The Vagina Monologues” is just what the title says: people get up on stage and speak about vaginas. The play dives unreservedly into subjects ranging from pubic hair to masturbation, and it also deals frankly with issues like sexual and physical abuse, menstruation and sexual fantasies.
The straight talking play has definitely struck a chord with women around the country, and many who see it or read the book are inspired to take part in it themselves. Students now produce the play annually in hundreds of colleges and universities, including USM.
Why do so many women have the urge to speak publicly about a subject that is usually considered profoundly private? The answer seems to be that vaginas are so seldom spoken of in our society that the silence has come to imply that they are shameful, and talking about them has become taboo. The silence also carries over into the grave matters of sexual abuse and rape, thus allowing those crimes to continue more than if they were openly discussed.
Talking with some of the student actresses in this year’s show, one gets a sense that their participation lifts a great weight off their shoulders and gives them a feeling of freedom and openness. Even those who are a bit nervous about their acting parts seem to feel strongly that the rewards of taking part outweigh the challenges.
“This needs to be done,” said sophomore English major Lynne Somers. “It’s important to speak the truth about all things. Vaginas are often forgotten.” Somers is acting in the play for the first time this year. She is comfortable about playing her part, but admits to being nervous about performing before friends, family and acquaintances.
“I’ve never talked to my parents about things like stomachaches, let alone hairy vaginas,” she said. But she looks forward to performing in front of an audience and feels that once she gets to that point the nervous anticipation will subside.
Muskie School graduate student Roxanne Young also plays a part in the show. She first saw “The Vagina Monologues” while living in Eugene, OR, and she said it transformed her. She calls the play a “growth experience” for both performers and audience, in that it challenges assumptions and stereotypes about women’s bodies. Young feels that it is particularly important that the play reclaims words like “cunt,” which have long been used in a derogatory manner, and turns them into something dignified and beautiful that women can be proud of.
Clearly, the play has become more than just a play. It now serves the role of giving women a chance to talk about things that are seldom mentioned. It is also used as a vehicle to make people more aware of violence against women. Proceeds from the USM performances will go to Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine, Family Crisis Services and Spotlight of Missing and Murdered Women in Juarez, Mexico.
Although the show is obviously centered on women, the cast and crew are unanimous in urging men to see it. “I think a lot of it’s enjoyable for men,” said Somers, noting that much of the play is sexual in nature, and that it’s refreshing to both men and women to hear women talk openly about sexuality.
Director Amy VonVett, a senior theater major, and producer April Mulkern, a senior media studies major, both agreed that the show is as much for men as for women. VonVett said that people’s first impression upon hearing of the play is often one of a “feminist rallying cry.” But she asserts that the play has a strong storytelling element that will appeal to a wide range of audiences, even though some of the monologues are hard to listen to because of explicit language and subjects like rape and beatings. Other monologues, by contrast, have a light and humorous tone.
Mulkern feels the most important reason for men to attend is that they will learn things about women that they never knew, because women don’t normally talk about them.
“The Vagina Monologues” will play this Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. in 10 Bailey Hall on the Gorham campus; Saturday at 7 p.m. in Luther Bonney Auditorium on the Portland campus; and Sunday at noon, also in Luther Bonney Auditorium. The show runs about one hour and 45 minutes. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for non-students. Advance tickets are available at the Dean of Student Life’s office in Woodbury Campus Center, Portland campus. For information call 780-4996.
Brian O’Keefe can be contacted at [email protected]