Vagina Monologues
 

Anybody out there see Vagina Monologues? My sister and her 18 year old daughter is travelling with myself and my 16 year old daughter to New York City in May. My cousin told me that we should see Vagina Monologues. I'm not sure if it's appropriate for our daughters. They are both fairly mature for their age, but I don'r want to do anything I'll regret. Thanks for your help.

I've seen it twice. It is very funny and moving at times. As far as whether it is appropriate for 16 and 18 year olds, I would say yes. Keep in mind I don't have children. I'm remembering when I was that age and I would've liked it. I might have been a little embarrassed seeing it with my Mother. As far as whether you'll regret it, you'll have to let me know what you could possibly regret about it and I'll try to help.

I've seen it. Your daughters will be<BR>able to handle it just fine.<BR>Consider it an honor to see it...it's been banned at our local womens college.

You'll love it. I saw it with my husband and he enjoyed it even though he was one of only about half dozen men present. Maybe you could get tickets two by two and let the girls sit together and you and your sister sit together. That way if there's any age difference embarassment, you can each have your privacy and recover before intermission.

I saw it at a matinee where there were a lot of young women of that age there. I think this is really a question about how comfortable you are about sexual matters with your daughter.

I think it's a great show for you to see with your daughters. It probably would be even better for your husband to go with you. I went with my wife and it was enlightening. Highly recommended.

Think you're making a mistake by taking your daughters to see this feminist garbage. There are lots of better wholesome shows to choose from.

Bob, have you seen the show? I'm against feminist "heavy" material also. I didn't think this show was like that at all.

I consider myself a liberated, but evenhanded woman. The show had its moments, but frankly after two hours of the same stuff, I felt like calling it "The Vagina Monotony." I think, however, your daughters will be fine.

It's so in-your-face rude, "vagina" anything, I just can't get past the name. Anybody else offended by this?

What's so rude about it? Are you offended by your vagina?

I find the whole matter offensive. You should be taking your daughters to see something wholesome.

To Real Woman:<BR>No, I love my vagina. It has served me well through two children and 23 years of monogamy. That's just it - I hold it (no pun intended) in reverence! It's the lack of modesty, and the device of using a graphic and sexual word to get attention. ...Something tells me this show would not be getting nearly as much attention without the provocative name.

Vagina is not a sexual word. It is a part of the body. It is no more graphic than leg. I assume "PoliteWoman" you are also offended by the word breast and breastfeeding.

Personally, I think this was one of the few shows I've seen that actually had something to say. If a purpose of going to a show is to open your mind that I highly recommend Vagina Monologues to women, and especially men.

In some ways I agree with xxxxxx , in that after about the first 45min - an hour I was getting pretty bored but then you're not asking for a review. Sure ,I think this is fine for your daughters. I find it curious that women would find the use of the word vagina rude though also agree that the title is the hook upon which this show is hung and if it were called "Talking about stuff DOWN THERE" it wouldn't have gotten as much response. I wonder if there was a show called "The Penis Papers: Prolific Ponderings of a Penis Proponent" whether people would find it as "rude and in your face" {not anatomically speaking of course.}

I've seen the show twice. Once with my husband &amp; once with a friend. I didn't find the show 'sexual', I found it informative &amp; rather funny. The readings cover topics ranging from genital mutilation in 3rd world countries, to war crimes of rape, ignorance &amp; self exploration. I think every woman who sees the show could relate to at least one of the stories or statistics. It isn't 'woo woo I have a vagina so let's get vulgar with it for a few hours'. However, I do believe it is an adult show &amp; not for everyone. Your daughters may prefer a more lavish, traditional 'theater' production. As a parent, only you can make the decision as to your daughter's maturity level &amp; ability to deal with the material. There is one segment where the actess feigns an orgasm on stage, and that is really the only 'blushable' piece, (think When Harry Met Sally - diner scene). I'm sure your girls hear &amp; see far more graphic sexual material in school, the movies, on walls, on television &amp; via the internet. Whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful time!

Went with my 17 year old daughter and we loved it. Agree that this is nothing compared to what is going on and being talked about at school , or so my daughter tells me. <BR><BR><BR>

I read in the NY Post that another playwrite has developed a new show called "Penis Envy" and will be in previews later this spring.I'm sure it will have its own set of controversies in our increasingly PC world.

I have not seen this show although I plan to. I am a 21 year old female and I think it is highly important that a mother has very open communication with her teenage daughter about sex. I don't think that vagina is a dirty word, I too hold mine in reverence. Four women of the same family would probably have a wonderful experience seeing this show together. It may also open communication with a conversation piece. I don't understand why anything that focuses on women is automatically feminist. Why can't people open their minds. To the original poster, please see this show, I'm sure you won't regret it. To those of you opposed to it perhaps you should give it a chance.<BR>cb

I just saw the show last week and all the newspaper reviews were right - it was cutting edge and great!

Regarding the use of the word vagina:<BR><BR>A thing is neither good, nor bad, but thinking makes it so...<BR><BR>

Though I have heard the production is quite good, I personally am offended by the title. I agree that the word "vagina" is placed only in the title for shock value! I do also think it is ill - mannered to use such in your face language. Its kind of like using the bathroom, everyone does it but it is certainly offensive to do so in public and in bad taste to talk about it in public. i certainly am not ashamed of my vagina, i just don't go around openly talking about it. Oh and by the way I am not an old woman either. In fact I am a very liberated professional 28 year old woman, I just have standards of taste!

To Ilisa:<BR>Vagina is not a sexual word?????? How much more politically correct can you get? And no, it is not really in the same category as "breast". I am not offended by any of these words "by themselves". It's the blatant and rude use just to get my $attention$ that offends me. Whether the actual production is quality or not, doesn't it annoy you just a little bit to be manipulated? Shock value has monetary value.

I suspect that demographics play a part in whether or not the name $Vagina$ Monologues shocks you. Being from NYC, nothing shocks me. As an avid theater goer, I have seen quite a few shows that had tons of nudity without advertising it, plenty of foul language,etc. When I read about a new show called Vagina Monologues, it was really just 'one more show' to make the time for, or not. It meant no more to me than Naked Boys Singing (another off-Broadway production). I've found that most people who frequent the theater will not be swayed either way by a title. Most of us are more concerned with content. How about the hoopla over the Blue Room? 3 seconds of a dimly lit, naked, rear facing Nicole Kidman made the show a sellout. Never mind that the play was ho-hum. Those looking for 'shock' will find it, no matter what the title of the event is. If the word 'vagina' shocks you, maybe you should get out more.

The fact that the word Vagina still has shock value in this day and age is what is truely shocking here. Oh my goodness, I feel the vapors coming on. I'll have to sign off and retire to my dressing room before I swoon right away.

My boyfriend and I saw "The Vagina Monologues" here in DC at the Studio Theatre and we both enjoyed it a lot. Eve Ensler performed it herself. It is a very thought-provoking piece, moving, and even funny in places. I think your 16- &amp; 18-year-old daughters are old enough to appreciate it. I would take them if I were you.

I thought this website was about traveling. Certain messages should not be posted. If you people want to post messages about broadway shows then go to that website. But I have to say now I want to see this show.

Mimi, how is posting messages about Broadway shows one is considering seeing when one TRAVELS to New York not about TRAVELING? Or, when you say "that website" do you have in mind a particularly superior forum about Broadway theater the URL of which you'd like to share?<BR><BR>Should people not post inquiries about restaurants or shops in the destinations they're traveling to, and instead go the "that website" (please tell us what that site's URL is) for those also clearly travel-related questions. <BR><BR>Yours is one of the most ridiculous and defenseless "admonitions" I've ever seen (among the many) on this forum. People frequently ask--and have answered--quesries about New York theater (and Las Vegas shows, and so on) here, as they should.

To Catilin:<BR>The postings totally got off the subject of TRAVEL. Did you read them? Obviously not! They were talking about the subject of the show (VAGINAS), not where to see it, or how much it costs, or who was the best performer, etc, etc. If you want to discuss the topic of this show then go to a broadway show website and discuss vagina's all you want.

Mimi and Traveler are same person, sorry forgot to change name.

I'm not even sure this rates an honorable mention in the "most ridicilous and defenseless admonitions" catagory but your point is well taken and the academy will take the nomination under consideration. Considering some of the "off travel" topics that people relish getting into here , this seems to perfectly suited to the question asked. I think what we are experiencing is "Vagina Phobia". But then again , that's what the show is about.

I'll pass on the Vagina Monologues. I'm waiting for the sequel: "The Penis Sololoquy."

Critic, <BR> <BR>Is that the one that starts out "to pee, or not to pee?"

Mimi/Travelr: <BR> <BR>Of course I read all the posts. More important, however, I now recognize the soundness of your judgment as well as your authority--as the owner and admistrator of this web site--to dictate how everyone else uses it.

Finally something other than Lion King which is original. It's a great show.

I've seen it twice. The first time was great, and the second time was very good. It depends which actresses in the show. <BR>

to the top for Marcie

Louise, thought you might want to see this thread.

<BR><BR>It's incredibly sad the number of women I've met who were taught by their parents -- usually their mother -- that their vagina was something &quot;dirty.&quot;<BR><BR>Why on earth do mothers do this to their daughters? What are they thinking?