Vagina Monologues and a Curious Carnival

As the 2011 Naked July Festival at National Pastime Theater winds down, there are still several special events and performances left on the schedule before closing night later this month. Both Salome and Living Canvas: Rain have been extended until Saturday, August 20, and two other special performances have been added to the schedule as well.

The Vagina Monologues, the groundbreaking play by Eve Ensler, will be performed in a staged reading at 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 7. Since the first version of this play was performed in 1996, Ensler’s work based on interviews with more than 200 women has received critical acclaim and has spawned a national movement known as VDay that has helped to raise awareness and funds for rape crisis centers and other resources for women. Kaitlen Osburn directed this staged reading which was added to the Naked July schedule as one more means to advance the themes of the festival this year.

Another recent addition to the Naked July schedule is a completely unique and outrageous performance piece titled The Carnival of Curiosity & Chaos: Male Review Show. With acts including trapeze silks, “human bulletin board,” bed of nails, and “block head,” this event is sure to satisfy those who seek courageous and unusual live entertainment. Tom Hill, Jeffrey Pressley, and Eric Green are the scheduled performers for this special event that will be staged at midnight on Friday, August 19.

The true nature of this unique performance piece is revealed on the Carnival of Curiousity and Chaos Facebook page:

"Witness These Human Attractions For Yourself, You Will Not See Anything Like This. The Dangers Are Real Therefore These Performances Are Not for the Faint of Heart And Are 18 And Older Shows. Throughout The Show Audience Members Will Be Given Opportunities To Assist With The Freak Performers, Talk About An Up-Close Experience!"


Only two weeks remain for Naked July 2011, so if you have not yet made your way to National Pastime Theater, be sure to check out these special shows and get your tickets for Salome and Rain before they close on August 20.