Vagina Park, or, More Vaginas Than You Can Shake Your Stick At.

Driving by the Atlantic Theatres yesterday afternoon on my way to a meeting, I noticed that their huge marquee had changed slightly --- what was once billed (as recent as the day before) as "THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES - Feb. 15th,16th and 17th" had been changed to "THE HOOHAA MONOLOGUES."

Confused at the change in terminology from the anatomical to the informal, I called the Theater immediately (904-249-PLAY) and asked the answering manager if some kind of complaint had been made. He told me that a woman, who had driven by with her niece earlier in the day, demanded that they remove the vulgar "VAGINA" from the marquee, as it was wholly offensive to her and others (of presumably equally low intelligence).

The manager, in perhaps the coolest act of management ever, informed the lady that it was (Atlantic Theatres') sign and that (Atlantic Theatres) could post what they wanted on it. Never mind the fact that the word in question was, in fact, part of the title of an award-winning play and a perfectly appropriate term for female anatomy.

The woman then demanded that Atlantic Theatres change the sign or that she'd "pursue further  action." The manager I spoke with sounded a bit frustrated yet resigned to the fact that any hell this woman could raise would far outweigh his personal satisfaction in keeping the sign as it was. He also told that Channel 4 had been there earlier in the day. Here's their story.

The play's director has asked the theatre to put the "VAGINA" back on the marquee. I would also like to see the "VAGINA" again.

Sorry. Had to do it.

But seriously - I know there are plenty of existing (and soon-to-be) parents out there. Would you not want your children seeing "VAGINA" on a sign? Is it really that bad? Am I missing something?

Please, readers, weigh in. This is actually a pretty complicated and serious issue; not only are there free speech issues involved, but proceeds of the play are being donated to breast cancer research.

Oh yeah, here's a flyer for the Valentine's Day show at Shantytown Pub featuring Roargan, Heavy Flow and Simple Complexity. If for no other reason, go to this show to support the flyer.

(flyer by keith ansley and josh dunn)

for more recent news about HooHaas in Jax, please go here.

Comments

[Jaxopolitan]

This may be the most disturbing/funny thing I've read in some time.

[ed ibn ed]

Wow. Again, people are out there at work, proving my thesis: "Most people are idiots." That woman is an idiot, and the theater manager who caved is an idiot. And "Hoo-Haa"? The euphemism is so much more offensive in its infantalizing of the subject. When did scientific descriptors become dirty? I mean, "The Cunt Monologues," sure, I get it, that would be offensive--purposefully offensive--because the social agreement we share in language is to proscribe that word, to make it forbidden. But "Hoo-Haa"? Do people even use that term? Ugh [disgust].

[m i k e]

i hee hee at your hoo has

[PCollins]

Rumor is that the woman had a hard time explaining the word to her 12-year old daughter (?!?).

I am more shocked that there are talking cunts out there. That must make for some interesting sex.

BTW, my son learned the word "penis" at the tender age of 3. The only trauma was that he liked the sound of the word and repeated it incessantly for five weeks.

[ian]

enjoyed this post fully. perhaps he could put "hoohaa is another word for vagina" on the marquee. that or "pussy talks." also, a show with a very thoughtful, compassionate ex-girlfriend's band at a bar i was thrown out of on valentine's day? thank you universe!!!!

[jdo]

Excuse me, but I found something in your blog post to be highly inappropriate. I demand that you refer to it as "Titty" Cancer rather than the vulgar terminology that you obviously feel the need to fling at us!!! (by the way, don't forget to look up my mouthwatering recipes with "Chicken Titty" at epicurious.com) :D

[Al Pacino]

HOOOOOOHAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

[Keith]

I directed "for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf..." a couple of years ago at the university where I teach. Front office advertised it on the marquee as "for colored girls..." (which is the usual abbreviation).

It stayed up one day. Someone driving by complained, so the university changed it to say "University Theatre Production" without the title at all. I argued against the decision, but was overridden by university hierarchy.

I am in South Carolina, but... I mean, sheez...

So it was no surprise that a local theatre troup in Hilton Head that got permission from the City Council to use city facilities for their production had that permission withdrawn when the Council found out the title of the play.

Ahhh, this blessed Idiocracy...

[jdo]

Hey Jaxopolitan,

Do you mean funny strange or funny hoohaa? (I've been trying to think of how to use that since I saw this story...thanks for the set-up Jax!)

Btw, this post has been boingboinged!

[hallie]

personally, i think it would be immensely satisfying - assuming they weren't willing to put 'vagina' back - if they put "benefit for breast cancer research" underneath. and maybe the 'voldemort' monologues would be funnier, like 'vagina' is so unspeakable, you know.

[nicole]

Oh here we go again, the rabid breeders dont like something!
So its offends the CHYLDRENNN!!!
It must be changed NOW!

I'm sure this moo would not be so up in arms, if they title had breastfeeding in it!

[Don]

I can't believe a 12-year-old girl doesn't know what vagina means.

And I really hate this egomaniacal attitude of "if it offends me, no one should see/hear/know it."

[ian]

just wanted to add that this story made it to CNN.com.

[Vmos]

This is a lady who made the complaint? Due to her niece?
now unless I've missed something, both of these individuals are in possession of that seemingly contraband item known as a VAGINA.
and it seems one of them has a problem with her own body, last time I checked VAGINA was a correct and accurate anatomical term and now a swearword.
The word VAGINA is neither crude nor vulgar and nor are actual VAGINAS themselves.
Anyone who has a problem with merely seeing a word like VAGINA on a sign needs to take a long hard look at herself, preferbly at her own VAGINA and it wouldn't hurt to have a little fiddle at the same time, this lady needs to lighten up

[Banana]

This is ridiculous. The whole point of the Vagina Monologues is to de-stigmatize the use of the word "Vagina" and to make discussion of women's body parts, women's issues and women having sex much more free and open. Replacing the name totally defeats that purpose. This play is designed to upset/provoke/inform people like that woman, and to prevent the existence of 12-year-olds (12!!!) who don't understand their own bodies.

[Tamika]

I was always taught the correct terminology, my daughter as well. I don't understand why people can't take a little discomfort, which, in this case, are growing pains. Women need to reclaim their vaginas. I work in the women's center at Cal Poly Pomona where we revel during Vagina Fair in the freedom to say vagina all day everyday. I especially love helping to sell the chocolate vaginas we make. Come on, let's all say it, VAGINA!!! My daughter could at two, and still asks inquisitive questions about her vagina all the time. I always tell her the truth, and it is beautiful to see her total comfort with being a girl. Part of our prayers at night include giving thanks for being female!

By the way, women like this are typically opposed to breastfeeding, too, especially if someone can see it. Heaven forbid. "Boobies" are dirty sex things, not for babies! Thats just wrong. She would likely call it child sexual abuse of some sort.

[Siren]

I do believe that archaic woman needs to be sent a box of vulva shaped chocolates and the book "Cunt" this V-day. She embodies the "down there? why you wanna go and talk about down there?" mentality that the play directly tries to fight. Changing the marquee is DIRECTLY counter-productive to the message and meaning behind the Monologues.

[max wood]

here's the response i got to an e-mail i wrote to the theater about this:

"Thank you so much for your concerns. You will be happy to know that the Atlantic Theatres has changed the name back to The Vagina Monologues. Additionally, we have welcomed the calls and emails from all over the world and after explaining our stance on the matter have received overwhelming support for the change, all be it controversial. We made the change as a "slap in the face" of the woman that called in to complain. The additional publicity that came with it (local news, CNN and other media outlets) has increased the demand for these tickets and we will more than likely be seeing a sell-out of the three shows that will be put on here.

Because the production is being put on by an outside group, Atlantic Theatres will not be seeing any of the profits from the ticket sells. More over, these profits will go to support various charities so in the end it was all for a great cause.

Lastly, if there is one thing that has been learned from all of this, the media is quick to jump on story like this and name who is right and who is wrong without giving equal opportunity (which is slightly ironic considering that the production is about equal opportunity) to speak on the subject. However, in life and business, there must be a good and bad, and The Atlantic Theatres are more than willing to take the egg on our face if the outcome is the production is successful and people are more informed on subject matter.

Once again thank you for your concerns and comments,

Atlantic Theatres Comedy Club

We support Vaginas everywhere..."

[max wood]

here's the response i got to an e-mail i wrote to the theater about this:

"Thank you so much for your concerns. You will be happy to know that the Atlantic Theatres has changed the name back to The Vagina Monologues. Additionally, we have welcomed the calls and emails from all over the world and after explaining our stance on the matter have received overwhelming support for the change, all be it controversial. We made the change as a "slap in the face" of the woman that called in to complain. The additional publicity that came with it (local news, CNN and other media outlets) has increased the demand for these tickets and we will more than likely be seeing a sell-out of the three shows that will be put on here.

Because the production is being put on by an outside group, Atlantic Theatres will not be seeing any of the profits from the ticket sells. More over, these profits will go to support various charities so in the end it was all for a great cause.

Lastly, if there is one thing that has been learned from all of this, the media is quick to jump on story like this and name who is right and who is wrong without giving equal opportunity (which is slightly ironic considering that the production is about equal opportunity) to speak on the subject. However, in life and business, there must be a good and bad, and The Atlantic Theatres are more than willing to take the egg on our face if the outcome is the production is successful and people are more informed on subject matter.

Once again thank you for your concerns and comments,

Atlantic Theatres Comedy Club

We support Vaginas everywhere..."

[Annie]

The Hoohah Monologues got a write-up in Neil Gaiman's blog:

http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/

(search for "hoohah," as it's more fun than just scrolling.)

[Betsy]

I'm not sure, but it may have been illegal to change the title on the marquee in the first place. It may have led to copyright violations (but I'm not an att'y so I might be wrong). Glad to hear it was changed back. Sheesh!

[fionnsnana]

It just seems sad. My first reaction, rather than outrage, cynical laughter, or anything else, is just pity for this poor woman. We don't know what her story is, but I just feel a great deal of compassion for her.