The Good Body
When I saw Eve Ensler [wiki] do The Vagina Monologues [wiki] in D.C. oh so many years ago and a whole country away, I was a little blown away.
It wasn’t just the topic, although, that too was part of it. No, it was the language and the tone, and the way Ensler managed to strike a balance between being confrontational and yet comforting, shocking yet familiar. I found her amazing and intense and most importantly, smart. Also, I particularly like her folklorish approach of collecting stories and recasting them in her plays. I think it’s an interesting approach to theater. So, at no surprise to you after all this gushing, when I found out she’d be in town this weekend, I squeaked.
Yes, Ensler’s new show, The Good Body will be at The Moore this weekend (and this weekend only). The play – from what I’ve read – is about the complex and often negative relationship women have with their bodies. Again, Ensler takes a narrative approach – using her own and others stories to frame this issue in an amusing yet revealing light. As she’s said, she’s “moving her focus up a few inches.”
With only three performances (Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.), I wouldn’t be surprised if they sold out. But then again, some might feel this is a “girls only” event. I don’t agree, I saw the VM with a male friend who found it as good as I did. So, don’t let that stop you.
That said if you still don’t want to go, there is always the book route: Vagina Monologues [amazon] and/or The Good Body [amazon]. Stop resisting me and check it out!
