By Leah Shaffer

It’s a production that includes surprising stories, heart-wrenching moments and, what can best be described as a hilarious sequence of moans.

It is “The Vagina Monologues,” after all.

But, it’s more than just a theatrical performance.

“It’s about the cause,” said Shannon Kranzler Burdsal, co-president for the Minnesota Valley Chapter of the National Organization for Women.

“It’s about getting the message out there that we need to stop violence against women and girls and that we need to fund the resources to do this.”

The Minnesota Valley Chapter of NOW is partnering with the Chameleon Theatre Circle to bring a production of “The Vagina Monologues” to Prior Lake, on Feb. 14 and 16 at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. The event is part of a nationwide V-Day Campaign that works to stop violence against women and girls. In keeping with that goal, the proceeds from the event will go to Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women.

Eve Ensler originally wrote “The Vagina Monologues” from the stories she heard in interviews with more than 200 women. In 1998, V-Day came about as a way to use the play as part of a campaign to stop violence against women.

Kranzler Burdsal emphasized that “it’s not just a women’s play.”
“It’s about women, but if men want to understand women better, and what one in three women in the United States has experienced, they need to go to this.”

She said they are trying to promote the event as something couples could go to on a date night. “It’s a great opportunity for couples to go to this and really bond,” she said.

“It is extremely empowering. It’s very emotional. It’s very uplifting,” Kranzler Burdsal said. “There are certain parts of it that are kind of devastating and sad; but overall, when you come to the end of this performance, there’s so much energy in the room.”
Kranzler Burdsal first watched the film version of the play with her mother, stepfather, boss, uncle, and 87-year old grandfather, who wasn’t offended by the show. “It was just a really great experience.”

Time: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 16
Cost: $15. Purchase online at www.chameleontheatre.org
Location: Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road NW, Prior Lake
Who: Organized through Minnesota Valley Chapter of NOW and Chameleon Theatre Circle
Why: Proceeds benefit Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women

What is V-Day?
This is the 10-year-anniversary of V-Day, a worldwide campaign to prevent violence against women and girls. On V-Day, people perform The Vagina Monologues to raise money for organizations that work to address such violence.
Eve Ensler originally wrote “The Vagina Monologues” from the stories she heard in interviews with more than 200 women. The stories presented range from the heart wrenching to hilarious – all having to do with women and sexuality.
The Prior Lake V-Day event is set to include vendor and exhibitor tables, anti-violence resources, and a display from the Minnesota Silent Witness Project. Go to http://vdaypriorlake.org for more information.