A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer is a new show featuring, for the first time, a combined cast of women and men celebrating the 10th anniversary of V-Day. Tickets have sold out quickly for this event in the past. Make your reservations early by calling (570) 479-6746.

In 2007, more than 3,000 V-Day events took place in the U.S. and around the world. To date, the V-Day movement has raised over $50 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it. Locally, more than 1,000 people have attended V-Day Wilkes-Barre events.

The talented cast for A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer includes: David Baloga, Remona Perry, Gerry DuBoice, Brianna Winters, Angelia Petrillo, Ryann Grochowski, William Sifford, Jim Kennelly, Donna Vojtek, Rennin Davidson, Barrett Zimmerman, Jennifer Kozerski, Mike Zimmerman, Mariane C. Ferrantino, Christa Manning and Christine E. Rock who will also be directing.

Director Christine E. Rock is proud to announce the following 10 essays from the book will be performed for V-Day Wilkes-Barre 2008’s production of A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer, to be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at 8:00pm, at Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, 537 N. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Tickets are $25.00, with proceeds benefiting Domestic Violence Service Center and Victims Resource Center, local organizations working to stop violence.

They are as follows:

7 Variations on Margarita Weinberg by Moisés Kaufman Akerman

First Kiss by Mollie Doyle

Conversations with My Son by Susan Miller

I Can Hear My Soul Cracking by Slavenka Drakulic´

In Memory of Imette by Periel Aschenbrand

The Destruction Artist by Michael Cunningham

True by Carol Michèle Kaplan

Rescue by Mark Matousek

Fur Is Back by Eve Ensler

Afterword: Reclaiming Our Mojo by Jane Fonda

V-Day Wilkes-Barre 2008, in its 4th year as part of the Community, Worldwide Campaign, is proud to be part of V-Day’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, V to the 10th.

Do I have to memorize my monologue?
No; As a matter of fact, we have found that memorizing is actually a detriment to the performance–This production is about celebrating women and their stories, not performances by actresses; the monologues are not memorized, allowing the performers to connect with the audience, rather than trying to remember lines.

Will I just read from my script for the Performance?
No; we will provide Pink Postcards with your monologue on them for your use on March 1st.

How often are Rehearsals?
Because the monologues will be performed in a story telling fashion rehearsals will be once a week, every Tuesday, until the week of the performance, when there will be 3.

What if there is bad weather on a rehearsal night?
If the weather is bad and there is a chance rehearsal could be canceled and/or rescheduled. Please call 479-6746 AFTER 5:00pm. If rehearsal is cancelled/postponed the message will indicate. If there is a general voicemail message, rehearsal will proceed as scheduled.

If we are not memorizing the lines, why do we have to rehearse?
Because the women in this production come from all walks of life, some may be more comfortable speaking in public than others. Rehearsals will help increase confidence with speaking in front of a few, which will help when you are on-stage in front of 400! Getting to know your fellow actresses so you may be supportive and connect with each other is another benefit. Also, having 1 on 1 time with the director helps the performer to find her own voice within the monologue, allowing her to show her radiant and dynamic self.

How is this show staged?
The cast will be assembled on-stage for the whole production. When it’s time for the actors to perform, they will move to the front of the stage.

What will I be wearing for the show?
Performers for V-Day 2008 will be wearing black and/or red. Christine will talk with each of you about what to wear, and to answer any questions you may have. Christine will have final costume approval.

Ticket Info:

What is the scoop on tickets?
All tickets are $25.00 each and are available on a 1st come-first serve basis. All seating at “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer” is general admission. There are no reserved seats. There are only 375 seats available for this performance. Please encourage people to purchase their tickets ASAP. The tickets for this show could sell fast. There may not be tickets available to purchase at the door.

Can people make reservations and pick them up at the door the night of the show?
No. Because this show is a benefit, we want to ensure every ticket is sold that can be, and that everyone who wants to see the show has an opportunity to buy tickets. More than 50% of reservations that are made are never picked up or paid for.

How can people get tickets?

• You can purchase tickets BEFORE or AFTER rehearsal from Christine.
• Visit: www.vdaywb.org and click on “Tickets” at the top of the page and follow the instructions. When V-Day receives the check, the tickets will be mailed.
• Mail a check to: V-Day, P.O. Box 94, Wilkes-Barre PA 18703.
  When V-Day receives the check, the tickets will be mailed
• Calling 570-479-6746

PLEASE do not contact Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre for tickets! V-Day is only renting the building for the performance. They do not have tickets to sell, nor will they take reservations.

IMPORTANT: All checks for tickets MUST be made out to: Domestic Violence Service Center, with “V-Day” on the Memo line.

Will the Dress Rehearsal be open to the Public like it was the 1st year? The Dress Rehearsal was open to the public in 2005 because we sold out the week prior to the production and there were so many people who still wanted to see “The Vagina Monologues”. The Final Dress Rehearsal of “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer” will ONLY be opened to the public if the Performance on the 1st is sold out.

What if I have any other questions? You can leave a comment below, send an e-mail, or call 570-479-6746 and leave a message.

This year, for the first time, men and women will have the opportunity to take the stage together as “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer” includes monologues intended to be presented by men as well as those intended to be performed by women. Therefore, V-Day Wilkes-Barre is looking for men and women who can express the written stories of hurt, anger, happiness, humor and sorrow. Auditions will be held on Monday, January 28th and Tuesday, January 29th 2008 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, 537 North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. Casting requirements are for 7 women and 4 men, aged 16 years and older; previous acting experience is not required.

V-Day Wilkes-Barre will once again join over 2,700 other volunteer efforts around the world to raise funds for local and worldwide organizations that help stop violence. Proceeds from V-Day Wilkes-Barre 2008 will benefit Domestic Violence Service Center, Victim’s Resource Center and the V-Day Community Campaign. The production will be directed by local theatre veteran and former V-Day Wilkes-Barre Organizer, Christine E. Rock.

The one-night-only performance will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at 8:00pm, at Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, 537 N. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. All tickets are $25.00. Visit www.vdaywb.org for more information or to purchase your tickets. Past year’s events sold out quickly, don’t miss out - get your tickets today!

November 19, 2007 - V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2008 with women and men from the U.S. and throughout the world.

Founded by playwright Eve Ensler on February 14, 1998 at the first benefit of her award winning play The Vagina Monologues, the global non profit has raised over $50 million for local anti violence groups with events taking place in over 120 countries to date and thousands more planned during the upcoming anniversary year.

To celebrate the last ten years of ending violence against women and girls and welcome the next ten years, thousands of V-Day activists will stage their annual benefits beginning in January. V-Day’s 2008 season will culminate with V-Day’s mega two-day anniversary celebration in New Orleans Friday - Saturday, April 11-12 at the New Orleans Arena and Louisiana Superdome - V TO THE TENTH. V-Day’s anniversary events are made possible by the generous support of the NoVo Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. TBWA/Chiat/Day Los Angeles is creating a branding and messaging campaign pro bono for the anniversary.

(To read the rest of this Announcement and find out more about the V TO THE TENTH event, click here)