There's more than 20 women gathering together to talk Vagina Monologues at the Prince George Playhouse April 5 and 6 in honour of V-Day as Prince George joins the global effort to stop violence against women and girls.
"The nice thing about the Vagina Monologues is that one of the rules is everyone who wants to participate can, now whether it's cast, set crew or behind-the-scenes, we want to have as many strong, powerful, unique women involved as possible, so nobody is actually turned away," said Sandra Tanemura of Zahirah Middle Eastern Belly Dance school, who is helping organize the event.
Well-known locals Carol Gass, Ashley Hinton, Jessica Rankin, and Joelle Kress, are part of the show, along with belly dancers and singers, added Tanemura.
"Ladies who are young and old in the entertainment industry have banded together to be a part of this play, which is wonderful," Tanemura said of the production presented by Melissa Glover Productions and Zahirah Dance Studio.
Tanemura will be revisiting a familiar role she played two years ago when Melissa Glover, who directed then and will also direct now, partnered with the Northern Undergraduate Society to present the Vagina Monologues at the University of Northern B.C.
"My role is that of the woman who likes to make vaginas happy," Tanemura laughed. "This is such a great role and there's a lot of roles in the play that hit on very serious issues that we as women all over the world deal with, whether it's rape, or mutilation or abuse, it's all addressed during the show. For me, my role is a fun, comedy role and I love that and I give huge props to the women who are taking on these more serious roles as they get through them. There are other roles that are so beautiful as well like the one called I Was In The Room where a grandma talks about watching her grand baby being born. So beautiful. Every woman who watches the play can see themselves in one or more of the monologues and that's what is so great about the Monologues -- and we're hoping to educate men, as well."
All proceeds will go to women's shelters in Prince George. Half of the proceeds go to the Elizabeth Fry Society and half will go to Phoenix Transition House, Tanemura said.
The Vagina Monologues will be at the Prince George Playhouse, 2833 Recreation Place, Friday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $15 each at Zahirah Dance Studio, 2582 Queensway, UNBC women's society and Nuggs, Shhh on Westwood,as well as any of the cast members.
For more information on V-Day visit www.vday.org for more information about the Prince George play visit The Vagina Monologues Prince George 2013 Facebook page.
