THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES written by Eve Ensler – EXPLORES
THE MYSTERIES OF "DOWN UNDER"
THE
WAY JACQUES COUSTEAU PROBED THE SALTY SEA
Review by Freelance Writer-- Eugenia Wright
 “Oh
my God, oh My God” is all I could utter as I sat there
stunned by the performances in The Vagina Monologues, Thursday,
March 17th @ The Wilshire Ebell Theatre. The unique piece,
which has been performed in the US and Europe, was directed
this night by Penny Marshall and delivered by some of the
finest actresses in the biz. Every seat was filled and outside
the streets were jammed with heavy traffic. As I circled the
area to find parking because the lots were filled to
capacity all I could see were women in droves scurrying to
the theatre as if TD Jakes was preaching a sequel to his famous
sermon “Woman Thou Art Loosed.”
Well,
The Vagina Monologues, one of the most powerful plays I have
ever seen will loosen you up, shake you down, stir you up
and spit you out with earthquake laughter and serious reflection.
It takes you on an adventure to boldly examine the mysteries
of the deep as thorough as Jacques Cousteau explored the salty
ocean floor!
First
of all every woman has one and yet it remains a complex taboo
subject. However, The Vagina Monologues will set the record
straight. In the beginning of the play, the word Vagina is
conjugated but the first roar of laughter from the house comes
when “show stealer” Comedian Annie McKnight takes
center stage and shatters the audience calling the word what
it is with all feline ferocity….Pussy! And that’s
just the opening (no pun intended).
As
the adventure continues, Veteran actress Marla Gibbs tells
the story of “The Flood.” She portrays an old
woman who shares with us her first date experience and how
she wet the seat of her boyfriend’s car because of her
reaction “down there” to his kiss. Embarrassed
by the situation and fearing future floods from "down
there", she vows never to engage in a relationship again
and ends up an old maid living a life of wet dreams with Burt
Reynolds, soaked knee deep in the reservoir of her
affection.
The
Vagina Monologues also takes us to a V workshop that further
enlightens, what it is, what it does, how it looks, how it
works and how we react. Actress Wendy Raquel Robinson gives
an excellent performance in this hysterically funny segment
of the play.
Lisa
Rinna delivers a biatchee monologue about short skirts and
her right to wear them and flaunt her calves. She reminds
everyone that what’s underneath belongs to her and her
alone and that her short skirt is not license for debauchery.
Tracee
Ellis Ross, portrays a young girl whose first sexual encounter
and seduction was by an older woman, who becomes her “L”
teacher/lover. Ross handles the humor and serious aspect of
the story with ease.
Mo’nique
gives an unforgettable divalicious performance as a “dominatrix.”
She shares her experiences by vocalizing a variety of sexually
gratifying sounds that emanate from her subjects. She had
so many sounds on her menu, Verizon would be envious. I didn't
know Mo'nique had such flexible vocal ability. In-control
wearing a black satin negligee she paced on stage like a sexy
Black Panther.
Loretta
Devine, further shed light on the V subject with her monologue
“Reclaiming Cunt.” She must have said the word
a zillion times stressing the first consonant. Devine gives
a strong performance.
In
between the longer monologues, a chorus of actresses perform
and share their on-going tales. They include Desiree Coleman-Jackson,
Annie McKnight, Renee Elaine, Gigi Bolden and Sophie Comet.
Although all the ladies were extremely talented, each and
every time well established comedienne/Actress Annie McKnight,
opened her mouth and delivered her lines, she made the house
roar with bellyache laughter. McKnight was undoubtedly the
standout of the group.
The
entire cast, Erika Alexander, Gigi Bolden, Anne Cobbin, Loretta
Devine, Denise Dowse, Renee Elaine, Tracee Ellis-Ross, Desiree
Jackson-Coleman, Sophie Comet, Marla Gibbs, Teri Hatcher,
Annie McKnight, Mo’nique, Lori Petty, Lisa Rinna, Wendy
Raquel Robinson, Sommore, and Jamie White gave a uniformed
excellent performance. Director Penny Marshall put it all
together and did it superbly.
The
Vagina Monologues is a must see play. It's quite an education.
A stunning piece written by a woman named after the first
woman of creation... Eve (Ensler), the first woman of the
universe. This night’s performance produced by Kenadie
Cobbin benefited Speak Out Against Domestic Violence.
At
the end of the show, women in the audience who had been abused
were asked to stand up. A third of the house stood up. Then,
the audience was asked if you know of a woman who has been
abused, stand up and the entire house stood up.
You
may write to Eugenia Wright @ kleogirl117@yahoo.com
Photo Credit: Clinton Wallace (Photomundo)
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