Theater

Has a playwright ever been more specialized? Eve (The Vagina Monologues) Ensler built an empire on a tiny — though undeniably important — body part. Really, it's more than an empire. Ensler is a pop culture star. Her anthropologically inspired script spawned worship and arguments, loving imitations and parodies, and a national touring franchise that makes Law & Order's handful of shows look like small potatoes.

Though her critics fume, Ensler has indelibly influenced turn-of-the-century theater. Is it possible that Eve's "My vagina's angry" is to the second half of the 20th century what Linda Loman's "Attention must be paid" was to the first?

But wait! Ensler wants us to know that she's more than vaginas, and The Good Body introduces us to a whole new range of body parts. Noses, breasts, hips, stomachs — if it's possible to feel bad about it, it's here. You see, Good Body, a collection of monologues by varied women, is also Ensler's personal confession. Feminist though she is, Ensler's flabby tummy threatened to take over her life. So she wrote about it.

Good Body is likely to provoke a wide range of responses. Some will find the let's-just-let-it-all-hang-out tone immensely freeing. Others will be annoyed by Ensler's characteristic self-centeredness. But love her or hate her, it's important that you see her, and here's one way this tour of The Good Body trumps the Vagina tour: For seven performances, you'll see Ensler herself telling her stories. If you value your cocktail party cred, make an appearance.

Eve Ensler: The Good Body, Tue.-Thu., Oct. 11-13, 7:30 p.m.; Fri, Oct. 14, 8 p.m; Sat., Oct. 15, 2 and 8 p.m; Sun., Oct. 16, 3 p.m.; $35-$50, Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900, www.pennpresents.org.