V-DAY EVENTS ROLL OUT TO BENEFIT PLANNED PARENTHOOD DURING FEBRUARY

Memphis Monologues, The Vagina Monologues and a Brand New Production 

Volunteers are preparing to roll out their annual V-Day events during the month of February in Memphis to help increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations.  Three special productions will be showcased to celebrate the nationally recognized V-Day: Memphis Monologues; A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer; and Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues.  

Memphis Monologues is produced by Elizabeth Cawein.  A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer; and Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues are produced by Memphian Jakatae Jessup and directed by Memphian Kimberly Hooper.  All will benefit Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region. 

“We are honored that V-Day events in Memphis will once again benefit Planned Parenthood’s health care, community education, and advocacy programs. These are powerful shows and celebrations of human dignity that are not to be missed,” said Ashley Coffield, President of Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region.

V-Day Memphis events will kick off with the Memphis Monologues on Saturday, February 7, 2015, which is already sold out, at Amurica Studios on Cleveland. The Memphis Monologues is a uniquely Memphis evening, taking the concept behind Eve Ensler's remarkable play, The Vagina Monologues, and reimagining it for Memphis.  

This year's performers of the Memphis Monologues will be Gale Jones Carson, Christine Davenport, Leah Keys, Deidre Malone, Chloe Evans O’Hearn, Holly Whitfield, and Adriane William. Past performers of the Memphis Monologues include Savannah Bearden, Elaine Blanchard, Kym Clark, Kerry Crawford, Tonya Dyson, Christiana Leibovich, Elizabeth Lemmonds, Ursula Madden, Sen. Beverly Marrero, Bianca Phillips, Mamie Shannon, Kacky Walton, and more. 

On Thursday, February 12^th, a brand new V-DAY production will premiere at the Circuit Playhouse.  Entitled, A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer, this groundbreaking collection of monologues by world-renowned authors and playwrights will be performed via small excerpts that are meant to rise up in a collective roar to break open, expose, and examine the insidiousness of violence at all levels: brutality, neglect, a punch, even a put-down.  

The volume features such authors and topics as: Edward Albee on S&M; Maya Angelou on women's work; Michael Cunningham on self-mutilation; Dave Eggers on a Sudanese abduction; Edwidge Danticat on a border crossing; Carol Gilligan on a daughter witnessing her mother being hit; Susan

Miller on raising a son as a single mother; Sharon Olds on a bra; Patricia Bosworth on her own physically abusive relationship; Jane Fonda on reclaiming our Mojo; and many more. 

On Friday and Saturday, February 13 -14, the play that many have loved both on and off Broadway for years will be brought to life again.  Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues will be performed by a host of remarkable Mid-Southerners at the Circuit Playhouse.

The Vagina Monologues is made up of a number of monologues read by various women cast members. Each of the monologues deals with an aspect of the feminine experience. A recurring theme throughout the piece is the vagina as a tool of female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality. 

V-Day has received numerous acknowledgements and awards and is one of the Top-Rated organizations on both Charity Navigator and Guidestar. In 2001, V-Day was named one of Worth Magazine's "100 Best Charities," in 2006 one of Marie Claire Magazine's Top Ten Charities, and in 2010 was named as one of the Top-Rated organizations on Great Nonprofits.  It has raised over $100 million globally since its inception 16 years ago.

Tickets for each event are available online (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-memphis-tennessee/monologues). Regular admission is $20. Student/Senior admission is $15 (present ID at Box Office), and $10 for groups of 10 or more.  $10 of each ticket purchased is non-deductible for charitable purposes. 

For more information on how to participate in Memphis V-Day events, make donations or purchase tickets, please visit www.ppgmr.org or contact Grace Weil at [email protected] or 901-725-3008. 

###

Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region (PPGMR), founded in 1938, is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. PPGMR’s mission is to ensure broad public access to reproductive and related health care through clinic services, education, advocacy and community partnerships in serving 42 counties in West Tennessee, North Mississippi and East Arkansas.