‘Monologues’ open hearts and minds

For two nights at the Whittenberger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union, a large ensemble of women opened not only their hearts, but the hearts and minds of an audience packed to capacity. \nEve Ensler’s witty and powerful story, “The Vagina Monologues,” closed Friday at IU. \nThe show tells the stories of women and, as one audience member stated prior to entering the auditorium, “the emotional connection, physical connection, mental connection and sometimes the abusive connection women have with their vaginas.” A cast of 20 beautiful and energetic women told these stories with the power to hold an audience and the conviction to make them laugh and cry almost on cue.\nOne of the most wonderful aspects of the show was that there was no lighting, just a dark stage with a spotlight and the cast wearing all black. There were no gimmicks or props to get in the way of the raw and real stories being told. One felt as if this cast of young women were these actual women – not actresses. \nThirteen different scenes intertwined with interesting “vagina facts” brought the audience on emotional roller coaster. Amity Pecenka’s performance of “My Angry Vagina” was, no doubt, one of the crowd favorites. Her commitment to her character and her wonderful enthusiasm and sense of humor was simply spectacular. On the other hand, “They Beat the Girl Out of My Boy (Or So They Tried),” performed by Jen Gross, Whitney Christiansen and Katie Golonka, tore into the hearts of the audience. Their story of three boys who knew they were meant to be women was truly spectacular.\nThis show was not only wonderful to watch, but 10 percent of the production’s earnings will go to the V-Day Campaign, which helps teach about violence against women. The rest of the proceeds are given to Middle Way House.