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Written by: Sindu Palaniappan
It’s that time of year again! The Women’s Center is hosting their annual presentation of The Vagina Monologues.
Christine Malloy, a sophomore who is on the E-Board for the Women’s Center, is running the show this year and agreed to be interviewed about the performance.
The show is based off of real stories that came up across the nation and around the world. Eve Ensler is the original playwright, an activist who interviewed women around the world, in order to raise awareness regarding feminine issues.
The monologues are based on both positive and negative stories about women and their experiences regarding sex, rape, orientation, and other taboo topics.
As Malloy puts it, some stories are funny, some are in your face, and some are sad. It “shocks you, and then pulls you back. You won’t leave too overwhelmed,” she promises.
What you will leave with, however, is knowledge about a subject that usually isn’t presented in a manner such as this.
The audience in past years has always been about half and half, that is half male and half female, Malloy points out.
The feedback from the male half is that they always learn a lot, usually in a pleasantly surprising way.
The stories themselves are incredibly powerful, some are shocking, and if you are easily offended by strong language, you might want to be a little careful. Some argue the acting and the way the stories are presented is a reason in itself to go. Each of the girls presenting their story does an outstanding job.
Marla Pascucci, the faculty member who is helping out with The Vagina Monologues, says that it is “a story that needs to be told.” As a faculty member, she told me that she wanted to take an unbiased standpoint in the play, but firmly believes that it is a topic that needs to be less taboo.
Ariel Yoffe, a freshman here at Bentley, says that, “It’s for a really good cause, and it’s not talked about enough.”
Sonia Sedova, a senior here, points out that “It’s important to discuss taboo subjects regarding sex, and raise these types of female issues.” Lily Montemayor, another senior, stresses that it simply “has to be said.”
The overwhelming consensus of the cast is that although it may be a difficult thing to talk about, it must be talked about more because these issues are very prevalent, both in the country we live in and around the world.
The play is on February 17 at 8:00 p.m. in the Koumantzelis auditorium. It is $1.00 for an organized floor program (tell your resident assistants to contact Christine Malloy) and $2.00 for students with a Bentley ID.
Based off of the cast rehearsal, it’s a safe assumption to say it might be the best $2.00 you spend here at Bentley. Not only are The Vagina Monologues funny and entertaining, but they are also shockingly informative as well.
For any extra information, please contact Christine Malloy at malloy_chri@bentley.edu.
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