Asolo Repertory Theatre Opens VENUS IN FUR, 4/5

Venus in Fur, written by theatrical mastermind David Ives opens in the Historic Asolo Theater Friday, April 5 and runs through April 28, 2013. Two preview performances are scheduled for April 3 and 4. Tea Alagi?, an exciting new talent originally from the Czech Republic, directs this comedy that explores the complex relationship between an aspiring stage actress and her playwright/director.

Venus in Fur is a hot ticket in every sense. This alluring tale of love, lust, and literature illuminates the ultimate battle of the sexes. Vanda is the far-from-typical young actress who arrives to audition for the lead in playwright Thomas' adaptation of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's 1870 erotic novel, "Venus in Furs." As her audition proceeds, Vanda's continually shifting personas, accents, moods, expressions and apparent (and not-so-apparent) intentions engage Thomas in an emotionally charged game of cat and mouse. Is art imitating life? Or is it the other way around? As the lines between reality and fantasy become blurred the audience is swept up in Thomas' seduction. The Broadway production made an instant star of its leading actress, Nina Arianda, who won the Tony Award for Best Actress in 2012. The play also received nominations for the Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Play, and the Tony Award for Best Play.

"Vanda and Thomas are engaged in a game of power - the power between men and women as well as the dynamic between actor/director. The play within a play then gives us a very sexy glimpse at the inner workings of the audition room along with how men and women hold power over one another," said Tea Alagi?.

Critics hailed Venus in Fur as "Best of the Year" in The New York Times, the Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, Newsday, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, and Time Out New York. It was called "Seriously smart and very funny" -The New York Times, "Wildly intelligent" - The New Yorker, and "Deliciously witty and darkly sexy... a brilliant balancing act of erotic tension and comic release" - Time Out NY.

Venus in Fur opened Off-Broadway at the Classic Stage Company on January 13, 2010. The play was originally set to close on February 21, 2010 and was extended to March 7, 2010. The cast featured Nina Arianda and Wes Bentley with direction by Walter Bobbie. The play, produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club, opened on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre with previews beginning October 13, 2011 and its official opening on November 8, 2011. Nina Arianda reprised her role as Vanda and Hugh Dancy replaced Wes Bentley, with Walter Bobbie directing. The production ended its limited engagement at the Friedman on December 18 and resumed performances at the Lyceum Theatre on February 7, 2012 in a limited engagement through June 17, 2012.

"I'm very excited about staging Venus in Fur at Asolo Rep. It's smart, fresh, youthful, provocative, and sure to thrill audiences in Sarasota," said Michael Donald Edwards, Producing Artistic Director for Asolo Repertory Theatre. "The relationship between the play's two characters crackles with tension, as ideas about sexual, psychological, emotional, and political dynamics are explored in a powerful and compelling way."

Venus in Fur contains mature language and strong sexual themes. It is recommended for audiences ages 17 and over.

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