In a season of Valentine’s Day-induced romance and presidential primaries where “women’s issues” are hotly debated, The Vagina Monologues has returned to the Hippodrome this week. This benefit production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play based on interviews with over 200 women celebrates female strength and sexuality with humor, grace and spirit, all with liberal use of the word “vagina.”
This is the fourth year that the award-winning play has been performed in Gainesville under the direction of Keri Johnson, Emily Snider and Dean Carvalho. For the first time, however, the Vagina Monologues are incorporating the voices of transgender women. Three trans women will perform a piece that explores the process of transitioning and the experience of being a transwoman in our society.
“We’re really trying to work toward being inclusive for those women that identify as a woman but perhaps don’t have a vagina,” Johnson said.
In further support of the LGBTQ community, part of the proceeds of this year’s production will go to Wild Iris, a feminist and LGBTQ bookstore. Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network will also continue to be a beneficiary of the Vagina Monologues as in previous years. Included in the ticket price is admission to the Women’s Voices Art Installation with pieces by local artists.
Via Keri Johnson.
In an election year where the rights of women have taken center stage in nationwide discourse, the Vagina Monologues are picking up new momentum.
“Is that in correlation with the political sphere? It may be. But it may be that whether or not it’s a political year, we are just sick and tired of all these injustices,” Johnson said. “It grows and grows, and I think more people are getting tired of sitting back and letting these things happen.”
This year’s cast is also the largest yet, with 22 actresses in addition to Johnson and Snider, who will also perform.
Johnson said that the cast includes experienced actresses as well as members of the community who have had no prior theatre experience and got involved because they were passionate about the topics explored in the play.
“As we know, this isn’t about us. This is about coming together for a greater cause, something larger than all of us,” Johnson said. “I think that’s the biggest honor for me, watching all of these individuals from different paths of life come together to really work toward this movement.”
There are two remaining performances of the Vagina Monologues at the Hippodrome this weekend, on Friday, Feb. 19 (doors at 6:30 p.m., showtime 7:00-9:00p.m) and Saturday, Feb. 20 (doors at 12:00 p.m.; showtime 12:30-2:30 p.m.)
Tickets are sold out for Friday’s show but can be purchased for Saturday’s show here.
