American Conservatory Theater to Present VENUS IN FUR, 3/19-4/13

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is primed to seduce audiences this March with an electrifying new production of Venus in Fur-David Ives' 2012 Tony Award-nominated play that electrified (and titillated) Broadway audiences. When a young actress auditions for a demanding playwright/director's adaptation of a classic novel that explores sexual domination, their encounter explodes into a playful, witty, and erotic game of cat and mouse, dangerously blurring the lines between fantasy and reality-and seduction and power. Venus in Fur was named one of the "year's best" plays by more than a dozen major publications, and called "seriously smart and very funny . . . a suspense-packed study of the erotics of power" by the New York Times. Venus in Fur runs March 19-April 13, 2014, at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Press night is Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Tickets ($20 -$120) are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.

Says Carey Perloff, Artistic Director of A.C.T.: ""David Ives has an uncanny ability to keep an audience guessing! When I first saw Venus in Fur I was captivated by its thriller plot twists and fascinating play-within-a-play structure - to say nothing of the fact that it's incredibly sexy. It's when you go back and read it again that you realize how brilliantly crafted it is, with such exquisite language. I can't wait to see it at the Geary."

Directed by Casey Stangl [In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) at South Coast Repertory], Venus Fur features Henry Clarke (No Man's Land at American Repertory Theater) as Thomas and Brenda Meaney (Owners at Yale Repertory Theatre) as Vanda. The creative team for Venus in Fur includes scenic designer John Lee Beatty (The Nance and Other Desert Cities on Broadway), costume designer Alex Jaeger (Major Barbara and 4000 Miles at A.C.T.; Other Desert Cities at the Mark Taper Forum), lighting designer Alexander V. Nichols (Underneath the Lintel at A.C.T.; Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway on Broadway), and sound designer Will McCandless (4000 Miles and Higher at A.C.T.; A Winter's Tale at Cal Shakes).

A.C.T. will offer numerous InterACT events-many of which are presented free of charge-in association with Venus in Fur that will give patrons opportunities to get closer to the action while making a whole night out of their evening at the theater:

• Bike to the Theater Night: March 19, 8 p.m.

Providing a greener alternative to theater transportation, A.C.T. and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition offer free valet bike parking, as well as a special discount on tickets, for this select performance.

• Audience Prologue: March 25, 5:30 p.m.
Before the curtain goes up, get behind the artistic process at this fascinating preshow discussion with the director and artistic staff. Can't make it to the event? We'll be streaming it live online!

• Theater on the Couch: March 28, 8 p.m.

Following the show, discuss the minds, motives, and behaviors of the characters with Dr. Mason Turner, chief of psychiatry at San Francisco's Kaiser Permanente Medical Center.

• Audience Exchanges: April 1, 7 p.m. | April 6, 2 p.m. | April 9, 2 p.m.

Learn firsthand what goes into the making of great theater. After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors, designers and artists who develop the work onstage.

• OUT with A.C.T.: April 2, 8 p.m.
The best LGBT night in town! Mingle with the cast and enjoy free drinks and treats at this popular after party. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for information about how to subscribe to OUT nights (and other InterACT events) throughout the season.

· Symposium: April 5, 2 p.m.

You're invited to join us after the show for a lively discussion! A.C.T. invites you to join us in the theater immediately following your performance for a discussion and Q&A with a local expert. The discussion will be moderated by A.C.T. dramaturg Michael Paller. Can't make it to the event? We'll be streaming it live online!

• Wine Series: April 8, 7 p.m.
Before the show, raise a glass at this wine tasting event featuring unique wines from The Barrel Room, a popular wine bar located in Union Square.

• PlayTime: April 12, 12:30 p.m.
Before this matinee performance, get hands-on with theater with the artists who make it happen at this interactive workshop.