Tense Vagina — An Actual Diagnosis

The motherhood we see on TV and in the movies has nothing on what it’s like day in and day out to be a mother. For instance, did you know loss of bladder control is pretty common among new mothers? Or that dildos in the nightstand drawers are even more common? Sanitized images that portray motherhood with calm smiles; huge, clean homes; dinner on the table can kick rocks. And the foot behind those rocks is Sara Juli’s Tense Vagina, An Actual Diagnosis. Tense Vagina is a one-woman play that uses humor, movement, sounds, songs, text and audience participation to reveal “all that is awesome and all that sucks” when it comes to wearing the “mom” badge. The play gets started with Sara (played by Juli) sharing stories about her physical therapy at The Pelvic Floor Rehab Center for her post-childbirth urinary incontinence. (Bonus: The Sunday showing will include on-site childcare; call (413) 542-3750 to make a reservation.) Tense Vagina is part of the Ko Festival of Performance, an annual event in Amherst that seeks to unite various artistic styles and media under a common theme. This year, that theme is “tactics for trying times.” Ko Festival is five weeks full of performances chosen for their diversity, authenticity, and value.

Tense Vagina, An Actual Diagnosis: Friday and Saturday, July 14-15, 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 16, 4 p.m. $11-$24. Holden Theater, Amherst College, 290 S. Pleasant St., Amherst. (413) 542-3750, info@kofest.com, kofest.com.

— Kristin Palpini