It was pleasing that the Red Cedar Log took an interest in “The Vagina Monologues” this past year. As organizers of the play on campus, we’re grateful for any publicity this nonprofit performance receives. Upon viewing the story about it in the recently released 2007 yearbook, however, we were disappointed and rather confused. The story, written by Chris Jackett, has one major error that not only potentially demeans the production we put on but seems to put the journalistic and editorial skills of the Red Cedar Log into question. This error occurs in the last paragraph of the story on page 251 and on the following page in the photo caption.
It states, “Although the show sold out for its Thursday showing, booking problems caused the Friday show to be canceled and many eager viewers to be turned away.” The error is repeated on page 252, saying that “the Friday night showing was canceled as a result of double-booking.”
Though we’re glad the story is consistent, it’s wrong nonetheless. We had a two-night showing. The show was a hit Thursday night, selling most of our seats, and it actually sold out on Friday, causing only those without tickets to be turned away. There was no scheduling conflict. Wharton Center was very helpful and professional in booking the show. You can ask any of the attendees, cast members, directors, or the co-director’s own mother, who was seated front-row center for Friday’s “double-booked” show. It was definitely not canceled.
This error puts the integrity of the show at risk (who would see a show that might be canceled because of shoddy scheduling?) and does no justice to the work that has been put into the Red Cedar Log. We can easily understand the importance of checking sources and verifying information. We’re not sure who was contacted for the erroneous information in this article – the source for that tidbit is not cited – but this clearly was not verified by anyone in a position of authority with the show or its scheduling.
Though Mr. Jackett may be a dedicated journalist, his work here does not reflect that. Though little can be done at this point to rectify this error or convey the truth to those who have read this article, we sincerely hope they will not judge our show on this falsity. Again, we’re glad that “The Vagina Monologues” has had a place in the Red Cedar Log for at least the past two years, and hopefully the show will continue to be featured in the future. But it is extremely disappointing when such serious errors can be found in a quick read-through of the story, and none of the organizers were even contacted. We’re sure the Red Cedar Log will take better care to check information from now on and will not post such grievous errors in the future.
Julia Dillard
journalism senior
Marissa Yardley
English senior
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