'Monologues' hopes to reach Latino audience

Performers rehearse in Lawrence for this weekend’s production of ‘‘The Vagina Monologues.’’ Part of a national movement, the local play will be performed in English by a largely Latina cast. (Globe Staff Photo / Russell Contreras)

Johanna Rodriguez is hoping her family will come to see her in the Lawrence production of "The Vagina Monologues." But the 24-year-old admits she has trepidations: Her parents might not "get" her monologue.

That's because, as with many other Latino families, domestic violence, sexuality, and sex - the themes in Eve Ensler's celebrated 1996 play - are not topics ever discussed in the Rodriguez household.

And getting on stage to talk about those subjects? Unheard of, she says.

But that's exactly why organizers believe they had to bring the play to this majority Latino city of 72,000. Not only are there few theatrical plays and drama productions in Lawrence, but residents often do not have easy access to the themes and messages found in works such as Ensler's, said Elizabeth Delgado, organizer and director of "The Vagina Monologues" production set to run tomorrow and Saturday in Lawrence.

"I think our community really needs it now," Delgado said in an interview last week. "Unfortunately, there's a lot of domestic violence here in Lawrence."

Domestic violence is one of the key factors that lead to homicides in Lawrence, says Police Chief John J. Romero. The department has a unit specifically given the task of reducing domestic violence and related homicides in the city, he says.

Lawrence is among a number of cities and towns across the country that are hosting their own productions of "The Vagina Monologues" this month, in honor of the 10th anniversary of "V-Day," during which the play is performed to raise money to fight domestic violence.

The play won acclaim when it ran off-Broadway in New York in 1996 and has since been produced countless times internationally. In 1998, "V-Day" was launched by Ensler, and this month local actors and activities from New Orleans to New York are joining together to put on tailored productions for their communities. In Lawrence, the play will be performed in English by a largely Latina cast.

For Delgado, the run-up has been low key because, unfortunately for her and others involved in the play, the production falls during Easter weekend. "We didn't realize it until we got going" on the planning, Delgado said.

The mistake in timing was just one of a number of problems she faced. Delgado said she found it difficult at first to recruit actors from the Lawrence area to perform some of the monologues because some were skeptical about the play's content. "We also faced some resistance from those who didn't want to sponsor the event because of the word 'vagina' in the play," she said.

But the play will go on. The Lawrence production, which will benefit the YWCA of Greater of Lawrence, boasts a cast of 13 and several sponsors, including Sovereign Bank in Lawrence and Night & Day Lingerie Boutique in Andover. Delgado said most of the actors are local; several are from Boston.

Rodriguez said that if her family comes to see the production, she will explain the play and its messages to them afterward. Her monologue centers around the appreciation of the female body. "Hopefully, I'll be able to get my point across," she said.

Johanna Diaz said she, too, invited her family to attend. The 25-year-old will be performing the monologue "Hair," about a woman feeling comfortable about her body hair.

Diaz said she has told her family about the play and its themes, and they are excited to see it. "My family is very open," she said. "They know what they'll be seeing."

The play will be performed Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Cambridge College building at 60 Island St. Tickets are $7.

Russell Contreras can be reached at rcontreras@globe.com.