MPAA: Not Rated, 76 minutes, color

The Vagina Monologues originally was a one-woman off-Broadway show, starring the author herself, Eve Ensler, in a bravura performance of seven different segments, each of about 10 minutes in length, touching on various aspects of what it is to be female in today’s world. The topics range from the “V” word itself and its cultural euphemisms to other anatomical terms about the same geographic neighborhood (examples: the advantages to having pubic hair or the lack thereof, different ways an orgasm is communicated, and a classic piece on having women reclaim the word “cunt”.) Some of them are cute, some are shocking, but all are grounded in Ensler's clear intelligence, sardonic wit, and her crisp and supple voice. One cannot help but feel joy, disgust, pain, and awe when listening to these stories.

The simplicity of the performance is augmented by interviews with other women talking about their vaginas and interviews with Ensler herself. Ensler has a great stage presence and it is her embrace and obvious love of the subject that leads the audience to her real message: the need to rescue women worldwide from battery, rape, and mutilation.

Between the monologues, Ensler recounts the interviews she had with dozens of real women that led to the creation of the show. We see women-on-the-street interviews throughout the tape that re-enforce the accuracy and poignancy of the stories being recounted. Just realising that the source material comes from actual persons just touches your soul in some deeper way.

It's amazing that even in the 21st century many women are still uncomfortable with their sex organs, and hide such abuse behind walls of shame. Ensler tells the audience of her wish that the message of hope that runs behind the performance might change for the better someday soon.

Since its debut in 1996, The Vagina Monologues has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon with versions translated into many languages. In many cities, especially in college towns around North America, teams of women perform the different segments during a show. For the past several years monies collected from performances on Valentine’s Day are given to selected local charities, shelters, and counseling centers that assist women who have been battered or raped.

The Vagina Monologues isn't about vaginas per se, but about femininity and the taboos and myths that surround it. Through it, women can learn how to be proud of who they are, but more importantly the Monologues can help everyone –female as well as male - to find ourselves... and to love the person inside.

If you haven't seen this show and there's one showing near your area -- I strongly encourage you to go see it (and this is for both women and men alike). If you are as moved by it as I was, next go purchase a copy of the tape yourself and use it to sponsor a charity event next Valentine's Day.