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Public controversy over private part
By: NICOLE SACK - Staff Writer
Upcoming play sparks community debate | ∞
TEMECULA -- When deciding to buy a ticket for the performance of "The Vagina Monologues," would-be theater goers should pay attention to the title.
Not to give anything away, but it's a monologue performance about vaginas, and the women attached to them.
And it's just that subject matter that has some local residents protesting the benefit performance that's set to take place next month in the city-funded community theater.
Although the production is known for being controversial, Patti Drew, the performance's director, said any publicity is good publicity, especially for a play that aims to raise awareness of domestic violence.
"I just figured most people would see the name of the show and understand what it was going to be about," said Patti Drew, director of the one-time benefit production. "A lot of what we have to say on stage is going to be shocking, uncomfortable, brutal and touching. There are some really amazing things in the show."
"The Vagina Monologues," a purposely provocative production, was penned in 1996 by Eve Ensler after she interviewed more than 200 women. Since 1998, Ensler has allowed her work to be reproduced as a way to raise money for organizations that work to end violence against women and girls.
The play is scheduled to make its debut in Southwest County on Feb. 14 at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater. As part of an orchestrated effort, performances of the play will take place worldwide on Valentine's Day.
Controversy has followed the performances in other cities throughout the years. And it's no different in Temecula.
Here, some residents have expressed outrage that the play is being staged under the roof of the taxpayer-funded facility.
A half-dozen residents took to the podium in succession at Tuesday night's City Council meeting to object to the production.
Before addressing the council, Julie Gilbart, a Temecula resident, waited as children were quickly ushered out of the council chambers and as parents watching the meeting at home were warned that offensive language and images would have to be used to support the group's rationale for opposing the theatrical production.
"I don't believe this play, in any way, is what our community envisioned when the community theater was built," Gilbart said.
Five speakers read passages from the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute's "V-Day Unveiled" Project booklet, which challenges some of the claims made by advocates for "The Vagina Monologues." Among the claims they challenged are that the play empowers women, raises awareness about violence against women and is not pornographic. In addition, they said the premise of the production did not fit into Temecula's image as a family-oriented community.
"This community is filled with citizens who share the values of family, faith and community," said Adele Harrison, another of the residents who spoke out about the production. "The community theater is paid for by our tax dollars and should not be showing a play as vile and pornographic as 'The Vagina Monologues.'"
Rick Reiss, who also addressed the council, compared the content of the play to heroin and cocaine.
"I haven't seen the play, but I have seen parts of the script," Reiss said. "But just like heroin or cocaine, I don't actually have to take heroin or cocaine to know that it is bad for me."
In a Wednesday phone interview, Temecula's director of community services, Herman Parker, said the city's attorney is in the process of drafting a written policy for the community theater that would address the types of performances that could be put on there. Parker said the details of the potential policy have not been determined.
"This is basically the first time we've ever had a problem with a performance at the community theater," he said.
It is unclear how content control would effect a play such as "The Vagina Monologues," which does not contain nudity, but rather graphic language.
Parker was quick to point out that the theater is being rented for the performance and the play is not being produced by the city.
Bruce Beers, manager of the theater, said Temecula-based nonprofit groups pay a flat rate of $350 to rent the theater space, but also pay between $800 and $1,600 for additional staffing and production needs.
On Wednesday afternoon, he said about half of the available 337 seats had been sold for the V-Day performance. Tickets are $25 each.
"We have such a variety, people come to the theater to see what they want to see and don't bother to spend money on tickets for what they don't want to see," he said.
Beers said that, because of the mature subject matter, workers in the box office are advising parents to exercise discretion when deciding if their children should attend.
"We've put disclaimers on the tickets and advertisements that the show may not by suitable for children," he said. "If people didn't realize what they were buying a ticket for, or if they bought a ticket for their children, we will refund their money. On the other hand, if you want your 10-year-old to see it, we won't stop you."
Drew and 28 actors with the Temecula Valley Players club are involved in the local performance. Some of the actors are domestic violence survivors, she added.
The local beneficiary of the Temecula performance is Safe Alternatives For Everyone, an agency whose goal is to prevent domestic violence. Melissa Donaldson, director of S.A.F.E., said domestic violence is a continuing problem in Riverside County.
She pointed out that Drew's motivation for staging the performance was to get the word out about domestic violence in the community.
Donaldson, who has yet to see the play, said she believes much of what has been reported as the negative aspect of the production has been taken out of context. She said she'll wait until she sees the performance to make a judgment, adding that she and the organization's board are still in support of the production.
"When you have a movement that has raised more than $50 million for women and children around the world -- we're just grateful to be a part of that," she said.
S.A.F.E. will receive 90 percent of the money generated from ticket sales, and the other 10 percent will be sent to the V-Day organization.
In 2007, more than 3,000 V-Day events took place in the U.S. and around the world, according to the V-Day Web site. The "V" in V-Day stands for "Victory, Valentine and Vagina." To date, the V-Day movement has raised more than $50 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it. It has funded more than 5,000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq.
-- Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or nsack@californian.com. Comment at www.californian.com
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cold666pack wrote on Jan 23, 2008 9:29 PM:South Dakota? Who knew there was an abundance of violence there? More than LA and Redneck states?
Duh! wrote on Jan 23, 2008 9:37 PM:With all the negative articles and comments this show is guaranteed to be a sell out. Enough has been written in the paper and you don't think children have been reading this???
Bill at FVE wrote on Jan 23, 2008 9:52 PM:This is insane! It is a play, seen around the world and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people - if you don't want to see it - DON'T GO!!! This is a play shown in a ticketed theater and not broadcast across the whole city. No one is forced to see this event. It is about time that we get some great plays and performances here in Temecula, and this one even supports a local non-profit. The reality is that not every person in Temecula is conservative to the point of finding this a "pornographic" play. Contrary to that thought, MANY people are thrilled to have edgy, modern performances at our local theater and I am certainly one of them. The greatest thing about our Nation is the freedom of speech and the constitution that supports that freedom. It would be an insult to the thousands of Temecula residents who support the arts as a whole to ban future performances like this because of a few people who have a conservative agenda and think they know what is best for everyone else around them. The fact is that it is up to each individual to make the choices that affect them and their families. I plan on buying a ticket to support this event and the wonderful work that S.A.F.E. does!!
FREEDOM AT ITS BEST wrote on Jan 23, 2008 9:55 PM:What is crude for one is art for another. America, she is a great country! No discrimination!!!
What? wrote on Jan 23, 2008 10:15 PM:I personaly want to wish the city attorney good luck writing a policy that passes First Amendment scrutiny. If only six people complained I don't think it is worth the time it took me to write this post. If you don't like it don't go see it. I have to wonder if any of these morality police have watched TV in the last decade or two.
Cooter wrote on Jan 23, 2008 10:23 PM:
Offensive-
Yep, only people could take offense to something we all owe our lives to.
I saw it once. Probably not for the juvenile among us, and there was one reference to sexual involvement with a juvenile (yeah, I remember when I was 16)
We need something to fight over-might as well be over that which cannot be named. its so shameful and all.
jvc wrote on Jan 23, 2008 10:29 PM:With all the problems not only in the world but including those that exist in our own country, we are worried about the concept of this controversy?
We must truly be a country acting in blatant ignorance or hypocrisy or both!
I agree... wrote on Jan 23, 2008 11:53 PM:...if you don't want to go see the play, then don't! Why stop others from seeing it just because you don't want to? Another thing....since when did vaginas become offensive??? Like "cooter" said...people wouldn't be here without them!
murrieta resident wrote on Jan 23, 2008 11:59 PM:HELLO?! Have any of these "protesters" been to the movies lately? or seen what their kids see on TV, the internet or at a friends' house? Was this really worth printing? Come on....we all know that any publicty is good publicity. I'm sure they'll sell-out every night for this event now! I'm actually more outraged and disgusted with the "metal freeway overpass art" the city of Temecula put up - certainly that money could have been put to great use to any charitable organization(s)!
Public Pubic wrote on Jan 24, 2008 2:17 AM:Had those offended by this play sent e-mails to their city representatives rather than making a public spectacle of their complaint, the play wouldn't be getting so much press! You gotta love irony.
SO!! wrote on Jan 24, 2008 6:45 AM:If they are old enough to READ the word "vagina" and KNOW what one is...then it should not be offensive.
Oh this is just wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:38 AM:great, you have the NCT publishing "Vagina", but if anyone dares uses an off color word, the NCT censors come out of the wood work!
Only wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:45 AM:in Temecula. Are you going to protest in front of the theater like you did when Showgirls was playing years ago?
Vista Granny wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:53 AM:So glad to see that the comments, except one, so far are all in favor of the play. The play isn't for children, so why bring them into the discussion.
children_readers wrote on Jan 24, 2008 8:41 AM:ummm and I would like to point out that children don't read the news paper...
chances are... wrote on Jan 24, 2008 9:15 AM:those that are protesting this are the ones who need to see it the most...do you realize how much domestic violence goes unseen/unheard of everyday...if you do, then you are crazy for not supporting something that has so much good to come of it. I am purchasing two tickets for two friends who are very much into a situation which they do not see as domestic violence & it very much is, I am hoping that this will enlighten them to the fact & that they will finally get the help that they need...life is too short to not enjoy it to its fullest content.
bye bye wrote on Jan 24, 2008 9:24 AM:Temecula needs new progressive leadership
The neo-cons that gained control with their false promise of morality have destroyed every good thing Temecula had "balloon&Wine Car Show, Bmx, motocross park, tractor pulls"get out of town we like to party here
and love the diversity and tolerance for others views. GO SELL CRAZY SOMEWHERE ELSE
Jake wrote on Jan 24, 2008 9:43 AM:Good luck censoring a community theather Temecula...I'm sure the people protesting this have something better to do with their time then worry about a play. You don't want to see it, don't go. You don't want your kids to see it, don't take them. But remember this - every child has seen a vagina once already, no matter how old they are :)
Been there wrote on Jan 24, 2008 9:48 AM:All this palaver about vagina's missed the point that I seemed to get. Isn't this play is about spousal abuse? Hey, I was never a victim of anything until I was widowed after a long and loving marriage and after a time I trustingly married a man who seemed to be a very nice man, etc, etc, and AFTER the marriage it was revealed that he was a closet drinker of LOTS of vodka. When he drank he became a monster in the privacy of our home. There were extremely violent incidents that were classic spousal abuse including bloodshed. However, abuse can simply be psychological, (name calling, pressuring, demanding, etc)and no matter which it is it oftentimes leads to the victim spouse being killed! O.J. and Scott Peterson have set a tone for CA laws that people need to be aware of. I wasn't! I walked into a nightmare and after fighting it through for a few years I am now widowed again and he's dead from drinking a qt. of vodka each day and taking Ibuprophen. Very ugly way to go. Abuse can be against men too so the true subject needs to be exposed and if this play does it so much for the good. I've not been to the theater before but I'm going to get a ticket and I don't have a TV, don't go to movies and am not into shoot 'em up, bang, bang or anything close to raunchie entertainment. I hope awareness is raised where it's sorely needed on this particular issue. Note aside, it's amusing how the "V" word disturbs people and it's just a body part??!? Go figure!
BD wrote on Jan 24, 2008 10:19 AM:I picture the people that are complaining about this performance wearing bonnets, ankle-lenght dresses, churning their own butter...
Not a bad idea wrote on Jan 24, 2008 10:28 AM:I will do a play and call it "My Penis Speaks" a true testimonial as to what men go through every day!
Temecula resident. wrote on Jan 24, 2008 11:24 AM:Temecula has spent the last decade getting away from its (relatively unjustifed) prior reputation as a closed-minded dusty desert backwater, to becoming a winery & golf destination open to visitors and attractive to live in. This kind of small-minded knee-jerk reaction is going to do a lot to reverse the hard work that has been done, and the city council, chamber of commerce etc. should take notice before more damage is done.
PK wrote on Jan 24, 2008 11:34 AM:Why not pull out the torches and have a good old fashioned witch burning? I cannot get over how the citizens of Temecula never cease to amaze me with thier ignorance. They let their teenage daughters walk around with all their "Goodies" hanging out because it is the style, but protest what is known to be a wonderful piece of work with a message none of us should ignore. Thank God (yes, I said GOD) I am moving out of this town and state some day.
Mark wrote on Jan 24, 2008 11:38 AM:Figures that the residents of Temecula would be against a production such as this. I'm suprised it isn't mandatory that in order to live there, you must pledge allegiance to the Christian Coalition and be forced to register as a Republican and NRA member. Join the rest of us in 2008.
Gene T. wrote on Jan 24, 2008 12:11 PM:Judy Gilbart and her ilk clearly need to do something constructive with their lives, like get a job or volunteer to help the communnity because they obviously have way too much time on their hands. There is NOTHING threatening about the Vagina Monologues. Omigosh! I said "vagaina"! Burn me at the stake!
Cleve wrote on Jan 24, 2008 12:33 PM:You take a pile of garbage, get the right person to call it "art," and lots of gullible people Ooh and Aah. But in the end, it's still a pile of garbage.
Shannon wrote on Jan 24, 2008 12:59 PM:How dare these self righteous people claim that the "VAGINA MONOLOGUES" V-Day event go against this community and should not be allowed to perform in a taxpayer funded community theater! Am I not a taxpayer too? I have lived and worked in this valley for over two decades and I certainly am not so closed minded to think my views are the ONLY views that should be tolerated.
If you do not wish to see such supposed filth, then do not go! But do not be so foolish to think that you speak for all the residents of this community. Not all of us live our lives with the sameblinders on.
This event raises awareness for the plight of women affected by domestic violence and will bring much needed funds to a local help organization. If one woman is saved from a beating, rape or murder at the hands of her husband because of this event, then to me it is well worth the $25 ticket!
Jake wrote on Jan 24, 2008 1:09 PM:Cleve, what's garbage to you is art to many - and besides, who and your cronies are you to censor what can be shown to adults who chose to see it? Who are you to chose what happens in a facility paid for by tax dollars? Should it be you? Or me? How about we let the First Amendment work - you think it's garbage, don't go and let your money show your outrage...but you have NO RIGHT to stop others from seeing it..
Is this sorta wrote on Jan 24, 2008 1:42 PM:like the tale of the Emperor's new clothes, where everybody oohed and ahhed, but in the end, (pun intended), it took a child to point out what a fool the King and the people were as the Emperor was stark naked!
cleve my man wrote on Jan 24, 2008 1:50 PM:are the walls in your house the same color as when you moved in? I'm betting yes,
certain things are just not for everybody,
like an imagination.
David wrote on Jan 24, 2008 2:17 PM:Public funds to this? It would flop in the private sector. These are the same weirdos who came from the Drama Club in High School. Sure - go ahead and show this if this is the best the playhouse can do - besides close down.
Cooter wrote on Jan 24, 2008 2:45 PM:This was on HBO some time ago. While ther may have been some elements of spousal abuse and violence against women, that wasn't all of it.
Anyway it seems the court of public opinion is in favor, and it should be done for an appreciative audience of volunteers.
Gotta go help Helga churn some butter.
JSten wrote on Jan 24, 2008 2:50 PM:I didnt know you couldnt take Ibuprofen and drink vodka.
I guess I will have to lay off the Ibuprofen
GK wrote on Jan 24, 2008 3:02 PM:The people who object to this play are probably afraid their children will see the title on the theater signs and ask them what a "vagina" is, and then they'll have to go look it up.
Jake wrote on Jan 24, 2008 3:04 PM:David, reading is fundamental. It's a playhouse built with public funds that CHARGES productions to put them on there...And it has not flop'd in the private sector at all...The Vagina Monologues is an Obie Award-winning episodic play written by Eve Ensler which ran at the off-Broadway Westside Theatre after a limited run at HERE Arts Center in 1996. Ensler originally starred in the production, playing all the various women who share their views about their vaginas with the audience; when she left the play it was recast with three celebrity monologists. The production has been staged internationally, and a television version featuring Ensler was produced by cable TV channel HBO
Oh dear a wrote on Jan 24, 2008 3:16 PM:talking vagina. Now that is a neat trick ;) I wonder if I can see that at Cheetah's friday night. Seriously grow up people and be a little open minded. It is just a play after all.
Remindsmeof wrote on Jan 24, 2008 3:26 PM:These people remind me of the great citizens of Rancho Bernardo. A bunch of up tight citizens were protesting the opening of a Hooters in there wonderful moralistic white bread town. Well guess what? Hooters opened and continues to do a brisk business. It has not brought crime as they feared, brings much needed tax dollars and has been a good supportive business. Wake up San Diego and don't be so naive paranoid.
What? wrote on Jan 24, 2008 4:23 PM:David, let me guess, you were on the football team and the baseball team in High School. Varsity woot! Which was the high point of your life. Just because you didn't see it or even hear of it doesn't mean it wasn't a success. It also doesn't mean that it doesn't have some good points to get across. Let me say it again. If you don't want to see it fine, don't go see it. But don't you dare try and tell others what they can or can't see.
Gus wrote on Jan 24, 2008 7:39 PM:I am more against the bennift recipient SAFE than I am against the play.
To Nicole Sack wrote on Jan 24, 2008 8:35 PM:Re. the title of this piece - "Public controversy over private part" - since when does (literally) half a dozen people constitute a "public controversy"? That's one household out of an entire city. Fortunately, such a tiny number do not represent the far more educated "public" of Temecula.
Vista Resident wrote on Jan 24, 2008 9:00 PM:I see Gus... You want to keep women barefoot, pregnant, and in slavery to men? Do you think the Bible teaches this? Jesus treated women with much respect. Jesus was far in advance of the current civilization of his time. Mary Magdalene was a very important follower of Jesus and not a prostitute -- as she was portrayed later by the church in order to demean her. Mary followed Jesus to the cross while his male disciples, except one, hid in fear. Early Christian women were sometimes powerful pillars of the church.
yep wrote on Jan 24, 2008 9:16 PM: probably members of the local Christian Taliban wanting to cover up women - just give them a burkha and be done with it!
Censorship? wrote on Jan 25, 2008 8:23 AM:It's clear that the citizens of the Temecula Valley do not know the difference between censorship, right to petition or protest and an economic boycott. The editors are exercising their right to edit they are not practicing CENSORSHIP by editing out all the anti SAFE comments to be politically correct. Censorship requires some type of Government Authority to censor content. Expressing outrage over the content of the play that bashes men and benefits a hate group is not CENSORSHIP. It is free speech, a political protest, a call for a boycott, but it is not censorship. The individual citizens are not a government authority
Bill at FVE wrote on Jan 25, 2008 7:46 PM:What in the world is wrong with SAFE?? It is a fine organization.
TRO's wrote on Jan 25, 2008 9:49 PM:According to the Attorney General's office, there are a quarter of a million domestic violence-related restraining orders currently active in California--one for every 50 adult males in the state. While restraining orders can be a useful tool to help protect battered women, they are often misused. The Family Law News, the official publication of the State Bar of California Family Law Section, recently explained:
"Protective orders are increasingly being used in family law cases to help one side jockey for an advantage in child custody…[the orders are] almost routinely issued by the court in family law proceedings even when there is relatively meager evidence and usually without notice to the restrained person.”
These orders often do not even involve an allegation of violence--according to the Judicial Council of California, the "abuse" needed to get a restraining order can be "spoken" or "written." Restraining orders boot men out of their homes, cut them off from their children and forbid them many routine behaviors. Men are being arrested for violating their orders by such acts as: returning their children’s phone calls; going to their children’s school or athletic events; sending their kids birthday cards; or accidentally running into them at the park or the mall.
I'd like to tell you Bill wrote on Jan 26, 2008 8:03 AM:What is wrongg with SAFE, but the editors keep editing my comments about this anti father HATE Group called SAFE and the receipient of the procedes from this male bashing play.
RobertM wrote on Jan 26, 2008 10:43 AM:The problem is not that this play was funded with tax payer money but that ANY play is funded by taxpayer money. Plays, like movies and other forms of art, should be funded by those who want to see them or by private benefactors who choose to fund them.
Dan wrote on Jan 27, 2008 7:42 PM: I recently received a letter from SAFE with the agencies annual information in it. Let me share, the agency serves almost as many males as females and works closely with law enforcement to help young people who have broken the law, primarily young men. Domestic violence is just one part of what they do. Gus if you had a bad experience, that's too bad but just from reading your statements, you have anger issues you might need to get some help with. ...
Green Eggs and Ham wrote on Jan 28, 2008 7:28 PM:Inquireing minds want to no why the NC times edits out any critisim of SAFE. Does the NC times not want an informed public? Are they editing acording to some polictically correct agenda?
Open Mind, but come on wrote on Feb 2, 2008 4:50 PM:This is America and all have rights to sponsor and attend any play. However I always thought SAFE was a wholesome and worthwhile group for kids and those with need.
They made a mistake with their involvement in this play the feminist male hating trash that it is (I've seen it). I hope SAFE makes alot of money, because I will not be supporting them any more with my time or money .
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