‘If your vagina got dressed, what would it wear?’
‘Red high tops and a Mets cap worn backwards.’
‘What does your vagina remind you of?’
‘A pretty dark peach. Or a diamond I found from a treasure and it’s mine.’
It was a night full of the intricacies of the female genitalia, as Boston University’s Athena’s Players performed the third annual presentation of Eve Ensler’s ‘The Vagina Monologues,’ directed by Kathryn Cuca, at the College of General Studies’ Jacob Sleeper Auditorium over three nights this weekend.
The performances drew more than 1,300 people and raised more than $10,000, 90 percent of which will go toward the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, after the group pays itself back for minor production costs, according to co-producer Suzanne Hillinger. More than 600 people attended Saturday night’s show.
The monologues are based on more than 200 interviews of women of differing ages and backgrounds by the author, Eve Ensler. In one monologue, actors read a six-year-old’s reactions to being asked about her ‘special place.’
‘What’s special about your vagina?’ one of the questions asked.
‘Somewhere inside it has a really smart brain.’
Each of the 15 monologues is based on one or more true stories. The monologues are interspersed with ‘vagina facts’ and pieces incorporating the entire ensemble.
The monologues varied in tone and subject matter, ranging from sex and menstruation to domestic abuse and sexual assault. One of the first monologues, ‘The Flood,’ was based on the story of a 72-year-old woman who had experienced ‘a flood down there’ as a teenager.
Another monologue that elicited laughter from the predominantly female audience was ‘My Angry Vagina,’ about a ‘pissed off vagina.’ The actress, Rachel Gordon, expressed her anger against various tortures including tampons, douches and visits to the gynecologist. Several members of the audience said it was their favorite monologue of the night.
Solange Hai, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said that it was well-received because many women could relate to it.
”My Angry Vagina’ was my favorite,’ she said. ‘It was about what all women want to say but don’t.’
More serious monologues included ‘Under the Burqa,’ about women in Afghanistan who must survive in a world of darkness and solitude under black cloth burqas.
‘My Short Skirt’ shunned stereotypical beliefs that a woman with a short skirt is ‘inviting’ sexual advances.
Others dealt with sexual abuse. ‘My Vagina Was My Village’ dealt with sexual assault of female Bosnian refugees, and ‘Crooked Braid’ was about an abused Native American wife.
According to Liza White, a College of Fine Arts freshman, those monologues were important to open paths of communication about those violent acts.
‘I thought it was really good that they incorporated that,’ she said. ‘It was great that they took the opportunity to educate people.’
Hai also said the group used a powerful forum to raise awareness about serious problems women around the world run into.
‘It was a very powerful way to talk about abuse,’ Hai said. ‘It is very important that the issue is raised and an awareness is created.’
Cast members and audience members reacted strongly to all of the skits, with emotions ranging from laughter to tears. The audience reaction was extremely positive.
College of General Studies freshman Emily Varga said that she truly enjoyed the play.
‘I thought it was awesome,’ she said. ‘I have never laughed so hard in all my life.’
Cuca printed her feelings about the show in the production’s handbill.
‘This show is a message,’ she said. ‘Let us celebrate and relish the succulence of all women, and look forward to a day when, without violence, fear, or consequence, all women can be women. The power of the vagina.’
The production was part of Athena’s Players’ and the BU Women’s Center’s larger V-Day celebration. V-Day is celebrated at colleges and universities across the country, Hillinger said.
The group is planning a ‘Talk Back’ session Tuesday night, which people who saw the show can come share their reactions to the production. The session will be in the Kenmore Classroom Building at 7 p.m.
All proceeds from the play benefited the BARCC and V-Day’s Spotlight on American Indian and Canadian First Nations Women.