DREW & CREW DELIGHT PACKED REVUE

February 15, 2008 by PT Rothschild.

V-DAY 10^TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW APPEALS TO OPEN MINDED AREA ADULTS

Temecula, CA – Though ‘Today’ host Meredith had to apologize to TV viewers yesterday when Jane Fonda, who was being interviewed about ‘The Vagina Monologues’, used the ‘c-word’ on air, there was no apology needed to explain the skit, ‘Reclaiming Cunt’, done by Laurel Mueller in an effort to make that word less of a denigrating term, to the sold-out theatre crowd last night at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Though there were a couple of cases of ‘opening night gitters’, the play and production moved smoothly through the ‘monologues’ or skits, receiving a standing ovation at show’s end from the adult men and women present, just as they had the night before when 75% of the theater seats were filled for the dress rehearsal. The official opening night had more males in attendance as women brought their husbands or lovers along with them.

Pre-curtain call talk centered mostly on the local controversy and buzz generated by the play in the press and through e-mails. There were six cars of T-town’s finest po-pos to make sure the vaginas on stage were allowed to flow with their personal essays that enchanted, enthralled, and educated the audience. Beside me sat a little white-haired lady who, with her daughter visiting from Michigan, had turned down a red carpet event up in Hollywood to be at the T-town presentation of the ‘monologues’. Neither she nor her daughter seemed appalled or outraged by the play’s content, or embarrassed to be sitting next to a man as private woman matters were discussed openly onstage.

Director Patti Drew and her fine cast of women of various sizes and ages gave a stellar performance as they ‘owned’ the monologues and became the women they spoke for. Hopefully next year on V-Day (the ‘V’ stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina) the same fine talent will present this play again and for more than a single night. Seeing and understanding the play’s content can only broaden one’s perspective and maybe diminish the violence that is directed against women in every form, fashion, and category. I myself wear a ring given to me by a friend who has asked me to ‘give’ her away rather than the dad who molested her as a child.

Mistreatment of women is too commonplace and hiding your head in the sand doesn’t treat the problem or bring a solution. In this case, ignorance isn’t bliss, but proper care and feeding of the vagina closest to you can bring about ecstasy, enjoyment, and harmony. As I commented to a male standing nearby before the curtain call, I never met a vagina I didn’t like. Last night’s performance of The Vagina Monologues was no exception.

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