Microscopes & Megaphones @ CPT 1/31/10

Feminism has come a long way, but there's still plenty of work to be done. Even though women have made strides in reproductive choice, education and the workplace, females are still held back by widespread uncertainty, timidness or by being perceived as "too fat to love" (or too this or too that...).

Indeed, the devil is in the details.

This was the main message of "Microscopes & Megaphones", a performance put on by feminist art collective Whisper to a Scream that was part of Cleveland Public Theater's risk-taking Big [Box] 2010 series.

"Microscopes & Megaphones" was built out of rage--the initial feeling Whisper to a Scream founder Maria Miranda experienced after reading an article about a woman in Congo who died after giving birth because American politicians made no attempt to help her (or other poor women in underserved countries).

Enter creative activism.

"Microscopes & Megaphones" was divided into 11 scenes/skits that explored different facets of patriarchy, sex and love through dance, poetry, monologues and good ol' theater. Heady topics, yes, but the play never took itself too seriously. This wasn't "bumper sticker" activism--much of the work was open-ended for the audience to draw their own conclusions.

The expertly-crafted monologue "Punctuations." kicked off the show. Written by Miranda, this piece underscored the politics of grammar, inciting women to make statements, not questions. (Say "I want a raise." [period] and "I'm leaving him." [period] rather than asking "Should I get a raise?" [question mark] and "Should I leave him?" [question mark]). The word play was intricate, clever and inspiring. A great opener.

"Contemplating the Misogyny of High Heel Shoes aka I Love My Combat Boots" was just that--performer Laura Swedenborg danced across the stage with intended unease as she examined a bag full of high heel shoes. Excerpts of other women's perspective on heels were read in the background. Interesting but lengthy.

Sex and the absurd rules women follow to win a date (ex: eat less, lose weight, dress sluttier) were brought to light in the hilarious "2F2F." Staged as a TV show complete with audience cue cards ("Laugh," "Awww..."), this performance starred Candy, a woman who worried she was too fat to have sex. After consulting with her BFF and getting it on with her boyfriend, she came to the conclusion that guys don't care what you look like as long as long as you'll screw. To put it bluntly, no one is "too fat to fuck."

"Johnny," performed by Mindy Childress Herman and Amy Pawlukiewicz, juxtaposed a mom yelling at her son with a woman talking dirty to her lover, ultimately drawing a parallel between a woman's act of making love and giving birth.

Kate Bishop, a self-described "sex-postive third-wave radical queer feminist" wrote one of the final scenes. Four performers took turns telling a detailed coming-of-age memoir of one woman's foray into same-sex lust, specifically oral sex. Contrary to her perceived heterosexuality, she found herself smitten with "Veronica," and was forced to reevaluate her self-identity. The performers took different perspectives of the situation: one was clinical, always citing research about bisexuality and Kinsey Reports; one was innocent and self-conscious; one overtly bold; and the other was pretty level-headed.

Overall, "Microscopes & Megaphones" featured stellar performances, impeccable writing and a good mix of mediums. However, the performance clocked in at a whopping 2 hours and 40 minutes (!!). While every piece had its place--they were all excellent in one way or another--some serious editing would have made the point hit home a little harder.

Still, major kudos to Whisper to a Scream for an afternoon of quality consciousness raising theater.

Cool Cleveland events editor Sarah Valek graduated from Ithaca College with a double-major in arts and writing. After graduation, she came back to her beloved city and served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. She currently spends her days chasing after her toddler-age son, drinking soy lattes and digging up the coolest events around town.