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Merely Players to assist in V-Day project

3 performances of 'Vagina Monologues' set for Feb. 26-28

02/23/09

by Beth Wilberding
Messenger-Inquirer

A local theater group is planning a show that will help raise funds and awareness to stop violence against women and girls.

Merely Players will present three performances of "The Vagina Monologues" at the end of the month as part of the international V-Day campaign.

Part of the funds raised will go to the V-Day project and Owensboro's New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services.

"'The Vagina Monologues' is geared toward providing awareness to organizations like ours who focus on sexual assault and sexual abuse," Karla Ward, executive director of New Beginnings, wrote in an e-mail.

"It is a way of drawing public attention to the world of violence against women whether it be rape, incest, domestic violence, etc." Ward wrote. "The agency was thrilled that the Merely Players were willing to bring an international program to the community and raise awareness on sexual assault.

Previous performances of "The Vagina Monologues" held in Owensboro have also helped raise money for New Beginnings.

"The Vagina Monologues" is the first show in Merely Players' 2009 season. Other shows include the previews for Graham Farrow's "Pure Morning" and Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet," which will be performed at Legion Park.

Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" were the catalyst for V-Day. Ensler wrote the play after interviewing more than 200 women, and "with humor and grace the piece celebrates women's' sexuality and strength," according to V-Day's Web site.

"V-Day stages large-scale benefits and produces innovative gatherings, films and campaigns to educate and change social attitudes towards violence against women," the Web site states.

Randi Shamsabadi has been involved in past performances of "The Vagina Monologues" with both the Merely Players and the Theatre Program at Kentucky Wesleyan College. She is directing the upcoming production.

Shamsabadi said she wanted to bring V-Day back to Owensboro.

"The charity and the mission behind it is very important to me as a woman," she said. "Women's rights (have) always been something I felt needed to be addressed."

Rachel Simmons is a first-time performer in "The Vagina Monologues." She's never seen a production of the show, but she has read the play.

"I have two daughters," she said. "I think the more awareness we have about women, the better we are."

"The Vagina Monologues" features pieces that are both humorous and heartbreaking.

"There are some in rehearsals I have a hard time sitting through," Simmons said. "You're just really emotional. You feel for these women even though you've never met them. We know going into it, (these are) actually women's stories."

The cast features 12 women, and Shamsabadi said it was the largest turnout in Owensboro so far. "The Vagina Monologues" features the original script, which was written in the 1990s, along with a new monologue written to reflect the spotlight for that year's V-Day.

This year, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the spotlight. Ensler also has additional selections that can be added to the production.

To Attend

Merely Players will present "The Vagina Monologues" at 9 p.m. Feb. 26, 27 and 28 at Equals, 1006 W. Fourth St. The show is open to ages 21 and older. Tickets are $5. Tickets are available on Merely Players' Web site or at the door.

For more information, visit www.merelyplayers.org or www.vday.org. To learn more about New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services, visit www.newbowensboro.org.