The Vagina Gets Its Night On the Capitol Steps

State Rep. Lisa Brown and a number of others performed "The Vagina Monologues" on the Lansing statehouse steps Monday night.

Eve Ensler, whose play about women's sexuality remains popular 16 years after it debuted, also participated in the performance.

Capitol facilities director Steve Benkovsky estimated about 2,500 spectators—women and men—watched the play in downtown Lansing from lawn chairs and blankets. Billed on Facebook as the "Vaginas Take Back the Capitol!" event, the combination play and protest included political signs and chants of "Vagina! Vagina!"

Ensler, who flew in from California, said she was thrilled to be involved and compared Brown's punishment by the state House Republican leadership  to "the Dark Ages."