Washington, DC: Friday-Saturday, February 6&7, 2009

Men and women alike, volunteer their time to assist with the presentation of Eve Ensler’s Obie-award winning play The Vagina Monologues, in an effort to combat violence against women and girls.   An all African American celebrity cast including: Lisa Raye McCoy, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Toccara, London "Deelishis" Charles, Tiffany "New York" Pollard, Jill Marie Jones, Essence Atkins, Ella Joyce, Taj Johnson George, Yvette Wilson, and Rolonda Watts, just to name a few will perform The Vagina Monologues, in Washington, DC: Friday-Saturday, February 6&7, 2009 at Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, Dallas, TX: Saturday, March 7, 2009, Los Angeles, CA: Saturday, March 21, 2009, Atlanta, GA: TBA, Houston, TX: TBA.  This year’s production adds a wonderful new element to the DC performance; The Johnson Chronicles a sensitive and exciting complimentary piece to The Vagina Monologues from a male perspective.

This powerful stage play inspires female empowerment, inner-strength, and self-love.  The Vagina Monologues is comprised of hilarious dialogue, and moving scenes, that capture audiences and make them think of emotional situations in their own lives that may have led to violent acts, or emotional abuse.  Heightened awareness of the impact violence against women and children is having on our communities is highlighted in this unforgettable presentation. Although entertaining, each monologue tells a special story that begins a healing process in the hearts of audience members scarred by the harsh realities of abuse. 

“This performance will help empower women to say no to domestic violence, which is a condition plaguing women across the world. The African American community has always ignored this issue, but I am glad to bring this issue to the forefront.  It is time to stop talking about domestic violence and ignite solutions. This is a gigantic step towards creating a solution and I am proud to be a part of the team.” Rhonda B. Reece, Co-Producer.

The Johnson Chronicles is a “body memoir” of male perspectives on sex, relationships, and violence.  The Johnson Chronicles is the creation of Peter J. Harris, an award-winning writer, broadcaster, publisher, and artistic director who has gained national recognition for his works on the lives of black men.  The johnson (penis) speaks to men as the vagina speaks to women, helping them to understand the pain and deterioration that violence against women brings to individuals and communities.  Audiences will be taken from boyhood to manhood with monologues on sex, fatherhood, and intimacy.  Similar to The Vagina Monologues, The Johnson Chronicles will encourage reflection on uncomfortable truths through sketches that are alternately humorous and heartbreaking. A performance of The Johnson Chronicles will occur in Washington, DC on Friday, February 6, 2009.

A stellar cast has been assembled to perform The Vagina Monologues and The Johnson Chronicles.  The talented personalities are donating their time and talent to bring attention to violence against women and girls.  One of the cast members of The Vagina Monologues, Tamara “Taj” Johnson George—a singer in the multiplatinum R&B group SWV (Sisters With Voices)—states, “I was in an abusive relationship, so this is very personal to me.  I encourage women to pull strength from within and love themselves.  The fact is I relate to their situations.  I am the woman who has survived domestic violence.”  Other cast members of The Vagina Monologues include Wendy Raquel Robinson, LisaRaye McCoy, Jill Marie Jones, Essence Atkins, Tocarra, Shar Jackson, Ella Joyce, Rolonda Watts, Yvette Wilson, Lisa Wu Hartwell, and Myra J. The Johnson Chronicles will include theater and television veteran, Dorien Wilson, Hidden Beach recording artist and saxophone player Mike Phillips, and syndicated radio talk-show host Russ Parr.

This presentation is a love letter to women, a healing balm for men, and a call to everyone to end violence in any form. Men are the primary perpetrators of abuse and we can no longer afford to exclude them from the conversation.

Source:  GIC PR, and VDay.org.