‘Los Monólogos De La Vagina’ Come To New York; Angélica María, Angélica Vale, Kate Del Castillo Spice It Up Off Broadway [REVIEW]

The vaginas are back and better than ever in New York. But this time around, they come with a little twist: They speak in Spanish! That’s because this Jaime Matarredonna-directed play is modeled after the current Mexico City production, which is now going to its 14th year. So it must be something good, right? “Los Monólogos de la Vagina” is a Spanish version of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues.” The original production played over 1,300 performances from 1999 to 2003 at the Westside Theatre.

This same theatre decided to venture into the innovative, which was to bring the play in Spanish, specifically targeted to the millions of Latinos living in New York. With stellar performances by Angélica María, Angélica Vale and Kate del Castillo, “Los Monólogos de la Vagina” tell the stories of several women, from businesswomen to war refugees. It opens today, May 18 at the Westside Theatre in 43rd Street between 9th and 10th avenues.

The three actresses have great chemistry on stage, you can tell each one is very into what the other one says or does, there’s a connection between all of them. Overall the whole show was good. It’s funny, it’s quirky, it also makes you think. It not only focuses on women getting to know themselves, telling their experiences while exploring their own vaginas, but it also tells the devastating stories of those ladies who have been abused both physically and emotionally.

Angélica María felt like the cute but sassy grandmother, telling bedtime stories in funny voices, but at the same time encouraging women to be empowered. She was the thread holding the three of them together. Kate del Castillo, a great actress in general, explored different characters from the bratty young woman, to the rebellious lesbian, to a six year old. She was very funny, committed and versatile. Angélica Vale seemed very quiet at the beginning; it was as if all the attention was going to her mother and Kate. But the second half of the show was all her. Angélica Vale was hilarious, she felt very real, approachable and gracious.

Would I recommend you to go see “Los Monólogos de la Vagina?” Yes. Will you have a good time? Absolutely. Should you take your mother with you? Well, it depends on how traditional she is. Just remember, to catch Angélica María, Angélica Vale and Kate del Castillo, you need to go see the show until June 1. Starting June 3, Tony nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega, María Cellario and Flor de Liz Pérez will step in, although we are totally sure they too will nail it.