“The Vagina Monologues” by Eve Ensler premiered for the first time at the Saville Theatre on March 12. The theatre was packed and the lobby was bustling with patrons bidding on silent auction items that ranged from jeans, to concert tickets, to posters.

Ensler’s award winning play is done as a part of V-Day, which was founded by Ensler, and is a global movement to end violence against women and girls. The hope is to raise funds and awareness for this cause.

On stage, 23 women assembled in two staggered lines with scripts in hand and the show began.

Over the course of a little more than two hours, the women presented monologues about issues such as rape, abuse, sex, love, humor, sadness, and yes, vaginas.

To say this piece is primarily for women is just too easy. Yes, the subject matter, the women’s screams in the audience, and the sheer fact that the women usually outnumber the men in the audience, is proof alone, but aside from those factors, the simple truth is, many people know a woman who has fallen victim to violence.

The show itself, for what it is, is very appealing for it’s audience. The audience was involved and seemed to enjoy the show.
The mix of experienced performers and non-experienced was obvious, but fitting. Those who had never been on stage, or seemed so, added a touch of authenticity to their pieces and their stories.

Some standout performances were Ellen Tilley, Mari Ridenour, and especially Rebekah Ensley. Her monologue had people cringing and laughing in all the appropriate places and she very subtly commanded her moment on stage.

And while, Diliana Deltcheva’s monologue was saved by the addition of hilarious one-liners from the cast, she sounded as though she had literally picked up her monologue minutes before she walked on stage and stumbled over most of her story.

Director Katie Rodda, moved her cast swiftly through the stories with ease, and even she herself, along with Casey Friedman, delivered one of the most heart wrenching moments of the night.

Hopefully this won’t be the last time we get to see Rodda’s directing talents at the Saville.

The Vagina Monologues hopes to be an annual event at City College and while most men may not return for a second time, judging from the turn out this year, that wouldn’t hurt sales in the least.