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Whatever you think about the Vagina Monologues, you can’t argue that they don’t contribute to a good cause. The super-fem event’s activist aspect was evidenced on quite a few occasions during its run in the Pauley Ballroom this weekend. From the moment attendees arrived on the scene–entering the venue through a rather, erm, euphemistic set of gauzy, pink and red curtains–they were provided with opportunities to support V-Day, a “global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness.” A silent auction, along with several announcements about the organization’s charitable intentions, made it clear from the start that we were doing good.
That being said, we couldn’t help but notice that while most of the monologues were either hilarious and insightful, or heart (and vagina)-rendingly depressing–some felt a little like massive group therapy. But we don’t want to step on any toes, so we’ll leave that review type stuff to the pros. Hey, we made a rhyme!
What was almost as interesting as the show itself was the audience. Yep, we had a real field day watching us watching them. The first character we came across wasn’t technically an audience member, but rather, a somewhat misguided protester. He was holding up a sign riddled with spelling errors and a couple of obtuse sentences that (we think) were about The Vagina Monologues being some kind of over-extended metonymy in which women are self-objectified. Of course, the sign didn’t phrase it like that at all, so we really can’t be sure.
Once everyone settled down considerably, we took better stock of who was out there. We expected the audience to be predominantly female—and it was. Nevertheless, the male contingent was out in greater numbers than we originally anticipated. And believe it or not, they were reasonably enthusiastic–especially when it came time for “audience participation,” which took the form of repeatedly yelling, “Cunt!” One such little band of men was sitting directly in front of us. Three pretty professorial-looking dudes (one with a mature lady friend) were enjoying the show to a degree that we might have thought impossible for folks without female genitalia. It was way cute.
Unfortunately, the refreshing mirth so confidently exuded by the gentlemen in front of us was mildly counterbalanced by the slight “My vagina is so enlightened,” smugness that was given off by a good smattering of audience members, including a couple of snapping pirates also sitting in our vicinity. The appreciative Beatnik snaps, we’re told, are “a co-op thing.” We’re still not sure that justifies being so self-satisfied that you can dress up like pirates (who, as a friend pointed out, are a group known for pillaging–if you catch our drift) and act like you own the place.
All the other stuff aside, the show was totally worth the ten dollar tab. We think even the most skeptical of women felt pretty empowered and inspired to do what she can to help the cause of her fellow female. If nothing else, at least playwright Eve Ensler’s production wasn’t Interior Scroll. That might have been a bit much–even for Berkeley.
V-Day [Website]
Carolee Schneemann [Website]
Comments:
Feb 20, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Did they have any women with disabilities in the monologues this year?
I’m still pissed about last year, when two of my crip friends were told that their auditions were amazing, but “that’s not really what [they're] about.”
It angers me and makes me laugh all at the same time.