HBO ENGAGES IN A LITTLE 'GIRL TALK'.Byline: DAVID David, in the Bible David, d. c.970 B.C., king of ancient Israel (c.1010–970 B.C.), successor of Saul. The Book of First Samuel introduces him as the youngest of eight sons who is anointed king by Samuel to replace Saul, who had been deemed a failure. KRONKE TV Critic ONE MUST appreciate HBO's cheek in premiering Eve Ensler's ``The Vagina Monologues'' on Valentine's Day Valentine's Day: see Saint Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day Lovers' holiday celebrated on February 14, the feast day of St. Valentine, one of two 3rd-century Roman martyrs of the same name. St. , as there's nothing in the production that's remotely romantic, in a heterosexual context, at least. The popular stage show - which has been performed all around the country and by some high-powered actresses - is a series of vignettes wherein the body part of the title is subjected to ghastly cruelty by men. (The one nice guy mentioned is dismissed with a ``I didn't much like Bob.'') In a couple of sequences, however, it does manage to receive loving attention from other women. Ensler's genius was in taking a very clinical word that makes a lot of people uncomfortable and demythologizing it, transforming it into the centerpiece of a real girl-power show that guys titillated tit·il·late v. tit·il·lat·ed, tit·il·lat·ing, tit·il·lates v.tr. 1. To stimulate by touching lightly; tickle. 2. To excite (another) pleasurably, superficially or erotically. by the title would take in as well. She deconstructs the word itself - ``It sounds like an infection at best'' - and quotes a woman reticent to discuss her own: ``You just know it's there, like the cellar.'' HBO's production blends a straightforward film of the production with behind-the-scenes material explaining the impetus of some of the routines. Ensler, who performs the monologue, explains that the show evolved from a series of interviews with women, hearing ever-more-interesting stories. Ultimately, she explains, ``I was sucked down this vagina trail.'' Material ranges from shocking, sober segments on rape to a raucous comedy bit on tampons, feminine hygiene Feminine hygiene is a general term used to describe products used by women during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva. Sanitary Towels (also known as maxi-pads or napkins), pantiliners, tampons, and feminine wipes are the major and gynecological gynecological /gy·ne·co·log·i·cal/ (-kah-loj´i-k'l) gynecologic. examinations. Some of the material is on the heavy-handed side, and Ensler, here, presents a few monologues in a pretty affected fashion. But it gives voice to a subject long the victim of our collective self-censorship, in a frank, fairly entertaining manner, though I can't imagine wanting to sit through as sensitive and thorough a dissertation on the male counterpart. THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES Three stars What: Eve Ensler's famous meditation on women's private parts private parts n. men or women's genitalia, excluding a woman's breasts, usually referred to in prosecutions for "indecent exposure" or production and/or sale of pornography. . Where: HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) A form of oxygen therapy in which the patient breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Mentioned in: Ozone Therapy . When: 9:30 tonight, Monday and Feb. 27; Friday on HBO Plus. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Eve Ensler refurbishes her one-woman play ``The Vagina Monologues'' for tonight's HBO special. |
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