Although The Vagina Monologues is closing Jan. 5, the revolving casting door keeps revolving. Olivier Award winner Suzanne Bertish, three-time Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh and A Class Act's Sara Ramirez are next up for the show, performing Nov. 12-Dec. 1 at the Westside Theatre.
Bertish won her Olivier for Nicholas Nickleby and was Tony-nominated for The Moliere Comedies. Feldshush, Tony-nominated for Yentl, the musical Sarava and a featured spot in Lend Me a Tenor, recently appeared in the films "Kissing Jessica Styne" and "A Walk on the Moon." Ramirez's Broadway credits include Felicia in A Class Act and ensemble work in The Capeman and The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm.
The Vagina Monologues are just that, solo contemplations of a woman's most intimate body part. Ensler interviewed 200 diverse women, including the elderly; African-Americans; and Bosnian rape victims, asking them a myriad of questions from "What do you call your vagina?" to "If your vagina got dressed, what would it wear?"
Ensler first performed The Vagina Monologues at HERE in 1996. Since the play's current Off-Broadway debut, her play Necessary Targets was produced around the world and Off-Broadway in the winter of 2002. Her latest work, The Good Body, has its eye on Broadway in 2004, Ensler has said.
Joe Mantello, who staged Love! Valour! Compassion! on Broadway, is the director of the show. A percentage of ticket sales for The Vagina Monologues goes to the V-Day Initiative, in support of women's issues. Tickets are $55. For further information on the Westside engagement, call (212) 239-6200. – By Christine Ehren