This past Monday in Los Angeles, a gaggle of celezbrities and lesbian icons joined forces to participate in V-Day West LA 2007, a benefit production of Eve Ensler‘s award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues. Producer Victoria Russell invited AfterEllen.com to the first of two shows (one on April 16, the other tonight, April 23), both of which benefit non-profit organizations dedicated to ending domestic violence, Sojourn Services for Battered Women and Their Children and Break the Cycle.
The April 16 show was directed by Leanna Creel (Promtroversy), and L Word cast members who performed that night included Jennifer Beals, Rachel Shelley, Alexandra Hedison, and Janina Gavankar (all pictured below).
While the women of The L Word were a huge draw for many attendees, some of the most memorable performances of the evening were delivered by actors who aren’t yet household names. Spoken word artists Mayda del Valle, who performed “My Short Skirt/Mi Falda Corta,”and Bridget Gray, who performed “The Little Coochi Snorcher That Could” gave electrifying performances that had me and the rest of the audience mesmerized. And I will shamelessly tell you that my pal Jill Bennett delivered an ecstatic version of “Reclaiming C*nt” that could only be compared to an old-time tent revival. Feminist-style.
A final performance (with a mostly different cast) is happening tonight in Los Angeles, this one directed by Candace Lopez. You can get cast info and tickets here. I highly recommend it!
