Feb. 16-24: Benefit performances of ‘The Vagina Monologues’ hit three Central Vermont stages
February 15, 2024 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Cast members in 'The Vagina Monologues' rehearse a scene. Left to right: Elizabeth Wilcox, Maura O'Brine, Maeve McCurdy, Emme Erdossy. Photo by John Lazenby
Eve Ensler’s groundbreaking, humorous, eye-opening production, “The Vagina Monologues” will make the rounds to three stages across Central Vermont from Feb. 16 to 24.
Lost Nation Theater and Mosaic Vermont present benefit performances starting Friday-Saturday, Feb. 16-17, at Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier at 7 p.m. It then goes to the Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield on Friday, Feb. 23, and finally to the Plainfield Opera House on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Lost Nation’s staged reading production of the play, directed by Jeanne Beckwith, is performed as a high-energy yet intimate, comfortable conversation between actors and audience.
Written in 1996, the story portrays a diverse gathering of women including a 6-year-old girl, a septuagenarian New Yorker, a woman who witnesses the birth of her granddaughter, a Bosnian rape survivor, and a woman who found a man who “liked to look at it.”
Cast members range in age from 16 to 70+ and include Emme Erdossy, Jessica Goodlin, Kathleen Keenan, Maeve McCurdy, Maura O'Brien, Parvathi Rajaram, Elizabeth Wilcox, Shanda Williams and Alex Yahm-Halberg. Stage manager is William Pelton; production design by Kim Bent and David Orlando of SJB Lighting Design.
This is Lost Nation’s fifth production of the play after a 10-year hiatus. Director Jeanne Beckwith reflects on the choice to bring the still-relevant play to audiences again: “Eve Ensler went where no one had gone before, at least not on such a public and open avenue. This play gave voice to women in a revolutionary way. It has grown. It continues to challenge us to keep our minds open. It is a truly amazing achievement.”
Lost Nation has partnered with the nonprofit Mosaic for this series of performances. Mosaic works with survivors of sexual violence and runs support and educational programs. Mary Mackie, Mosaic’s advocacy director, comments on the role the production can play alongside Mosaic’s work.
“Through the art of theater, we aim to create an inclusive space for reflection, empathy, dialogue, and joy. Beyond the stage, we want to find creative ways for our community to engage with us, to not just watch a play, but be part of the conversation and participate in changing the culture.”
In creating “The Vagina Monologues,” playwright Ensler also created V-Day, described as “a 22-year-old global activist movement to end violence against all women (cisgender and transgender), those who hold fluid identities, nonbinary people, girls and the planet.”
The show is recommended for mature audiences of all genders.
Cast members of 'The Vagina Monologues.' From the bottom, left to right: Maeve McCurdy; Parvathi Rajaram, Maura O'Brien, ShandaWilliams; Kathleen Keenan, Emme Erdossy; Elizabeth Wilcox and Jessica Goodlin; missing from photo is Alex Yahm-Halberg. Photo by John Lazenby
Tickets are by donation (suggested $5-30) with proceeds benefitting Mosaic and Lost Nation Theater. Purchase tickets for all of the performances and venues online at lostnationtheater.org/the-vagina-monologues. All performances are at 7 p.m.
Lost Nation Theater strongly encourages masks for in-person attendance, but they are not required.
Note regarding the Montpelier dates: Due to flooding last summer, the elevator at Montpelier’s City Hall is still inoperable. Audience members will have to climb stairs to reach the theater space. A livestream will be made available to anyone unable to attend due to accessibility issues. Contact Lost Nation Theater to make arrangements: at 802-229-0492 or info@lostnationtheater.org.