Vigina Monologues Performance Benefits VIBS

Benefit Performance To Raise Awareness

February 5, 2001
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“Until the Violence Stops”

In concert with V-Day, an international campaign to end violence against women, Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS) will present a special performance of the “Vagina Monologues” on February 28. This exclusive staging, for one show only, will be at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson at 7 p.m.

The “Vagina Monologues” the critically acclaimed, award winning play is comprised of a series of readings of personal stories and reflections of women who suffered and sometimes died as a result of violent acts. In honor of V-day, the author, Eve Ensler, has written several topical scenes specifically for this year’s performance. These segments were not part of the original production and are exclusive to V-day 2002 performances.

(Jane Bock (SuffolkJournal.com), Aileen Eppig, Benefit Chair (A.G.Edwards) and Andrea Levenbaum (VIBS) at the event.

The VIBS benefit is the only Long Island staging of the play during the V-Day campaign. “We are thrilled..(rest of quote)....,:” Aileen Eppig, Chair of VIBS’ V-Day Committee said. “Not only will this be a wonderful theater experience, but it will help bring attention to the plight of women and girls here and around the world who still suffer.”

Ensler founded the V-Day campaign and remains its artistic director. More than 500 benefit productions of Ensler’s play are planned around the world this year. “This is an exciting opportunity,” Ron Peierls, Executive Director of Theatre Three said. “It is a powerful play and although it is only one performance, we are all looking forward to sharing this experience with the audience.” All guests will be invited to remain after the curtain for a discussion about the play and the issues it raised.

Pamela Johnson, Executive Director, VIBS and Aileen Eppig, Benefit Chair choose raffle winners after the performance.

VIBS is using the performance to raise awareness about domestic violence taking place here in Suffolk County. Proceeds from the night’s event will support programs to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

VIBS’ “Silent Witness Project,” a series of silhouettes each recounting the story of a domestic violence victim, will be on exhibit in the theater lobby. “These are extremely moving and personal stories as told by the families of someone who died as a result of domestic violence,” explained Pamela Johnson, Executive Director of VIBS.

General admission tickets for the performance are $25., however VIBS is planning a pre-event cocktail hour with preferred seating for a limited number of guests at $50. a ticket. Inquiries for tickets, sponsorship or information on VIBS can be obtained by calling (631) 360-3730.

(l to r): New York City firefighter George Johnson, Port Authority Police officer Barry Pikaard, New York Police officer Kevin Reynolds, NY Rep. Joe Crowley, L.I. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, firefighter William Eisengrein, NY Rep. Vito Fosella and Long Island Rep. Gary Ackerman.

Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-L.I.) this week visited the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which spent the more than six months at sea in Afghanistan fighting the U.S. war against terrorism. Ackerman along with House Speaker Dennis Hastert and New York Reps. Joe Crowley (D-Queens), Carolyn McCarthy (D-L.I.) and Vito Fossella (S.I.) flew out to the Navy ship Monday where they spent the night with the crew and toured the facility. They also attended the ship's ceremony Tuesday in which the flag three weary NYC firefighters raised from the ruins of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11th --the image captured in the now famous photograph-- was returned to them. (Yes, the firefighters including George Johnson of Queens were there).

The flag had been sent to the aircraft carrier in October and flew on the vessel as it steamed toward the waters of Afghanistan. Ackerman and his colleagues flew back to the U.S. from the ship on Tuesday afternoon. The Roosevelt was the first aircraft carrier to deploy after Sept. 11th and set a record for being the aircraft carrier at sea for the longest time without a port of call. It returned to the U.S. today (Wednesday), arriving in Norfolk, Virginia. Some 5500 individuals makeup its crew.