Posted on: Wednesday, December 12, 2001
Tip-off
'The Vagina Monologues' plans O'ahu, Maui shows
By Wayne Harada,
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
"The Vagina Monologues," a provocative play by Eve Ensler that has become a world phenomenon, will have its Island debut Jan. 22 through Feb. 3 at the Hawai'i Theatre.
The play also will tour Maui Feb. 7 to 10.
The work has given voice to a chorus of lusty, outrageous, brave and highly original human stories, based on interviews with a diverse group of women. The play has entered the public consciousness on widely-viewed TV series, such as "Will and Grace," "Sex and the City" and "Ally McBeal."
The text of "The Vagina Monologues" has been used in four wildly successful benefit performances, called V-Day, which have raised millions of dollars to fight violence against women and girls.
At V-Day 2001, a sellout at New York's Madison Square Gardens, playwright Ensler was joined by a bevy of stars — the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Glenn Close, Calista Flockhart, Marissa Tomei, Teri Hatcher, Rosie Perez, Queen Latifah and Amy Irving. The Honolulu cast has yet to be announced.
"Having seen 'The Vagina Monologues,' no one — woman or man — will look at the world the same way again," said Steve Traxler, president of Jam Theatricals, which is bringing the production here.
Plans are under way for V-Day events here to benefit Hawai'i charities that help woman and girls who have been sexually abused, raped or suffered other violent acts. Included will be the O'ahu Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets for the O'ahu performances go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Hawai'i Theatre box office and at Ticket Plus: weekday and Sunday night shows, $35, $30 and $20; Friday and Saturday nights and Saturday and Sunday matinees, $45, $40 and $30. Discounts are available for students, senior citizens and military personnel; discounts are also available for early purchases and for shows on Jan. 22 to 24. Charge by phone: 528-0506 or 526-4400; group discounts: 732-7733.
On Maui, it will play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday ($35, $30, $25, $10), 8 p.m. Friday ($45, $40, $35, $10), 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday ($45, $40, $35, $10), 2 p.m. Sunday ($45, $40, $35, $10) and 7 p.m. Sunday ($35, $30, $25, $10). On sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the theater box office. Charge by phone: (808) 242-7469.
