Out of the Margins

Listed as one of the New York Times' "25 Best American Plays since Angels in America", this is an exquisite rare boxed first edition of The Vagina Monologues that was printed only for the first V-Day event in 1998. V (formerly Eve Ensler) has annotated this enduring cultural and feminist touchstone sparingly and succinctly, as if the monologues still very much speak for themselves. Since its premiere in 1996, the play has empowered women across generations by giving voice to their experiences, challenging taboos surrounding women's bodies, and inspiring activism for women's rights around the world. 

Most of V’s annotations are from the perspective of what they would change now, decades later, and what would be more inclusive and progressive by contemporary standards. For instance, they would have interviewed trans and intersex women and addressed the correctness of vulva: that the term “Yoni”  really is the best word. There are sensitive, heartfelt, moving reflections on the sex lives of older women, hysterectomies, periods and rape. 

Translated into at least 48 languages and performed in over 140 countries, V was awarded the Tony Awards' Isabelle Stevenson Award in 2011 for their "substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of a humanitarian, social service or charitable organization." V says their group, V-Day - the V stands for Voices, Victory, Valentine and Vagina - has raised over $120 million in the battle to stop violence against women. The Vagina Monologues happened by "accident. I didn't mean to be writing it. It was something I was taking notes on. As I asked women questions, I realized there was a whole underworld of stories... I'm interested in how theatre is a tool for revolution and social change" (Interview with Mervyn Rothstein, Playbill 2011).