Venus in Fur at Classic Stage Company

Classic Stage Company (CSC) present Venus in Fur, a new play by David Ives, directed by Walter Bobbie, opening at the Classic Stage Company on 26 Jan 2010, following previews from 13 Jan and running through to 21 Feb 2010. The play will feature Wes Bentley and Nina Arianda.

Inspired by the infamous erotic novel of the same name, Venus in Fur takes us behind the scenes of an audition, where a man and a woman blur the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex.

David Ives (Playwright) also wrote 'New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza,' seen last year at CSC, and co-wrote Irving Berlin's White Christmas,' seen on Broadway these past two seasons, both shows directed by Walter Bobbie. His translation/adaptation of Corneille's comedy 'The Liar' will premiere this spring at Washington's Shakespeare Theatre. By the end of this season he will have adapted 28 musicals for Encores.

Venus in Fur reunites Ives and Bobbie, who last worked together at CSC on the acclaimed production of 'New Jerusalem.' Ives and Bobbie have collaborated for over 15 years on more than 10 productions as writer/producer, writer/director, co-authors, writer/actor, and writer/dramaturg. Their productions together range from Broadway, Off-Broadway, City Center Encores, Carnegie Hall and Public Television.

Wes Bentley (Thomas/Kushemski) has starred in several films including the Oscar-winning 'American Beauty,' Michael Winterbottom's 'The Claim,' 'The Four Feathers', and 'P2.' He more recently starred in 'The Last Word' and also the thriller 'Dolan's Cadillac,' based on the novel by Stephen King. Wes just wrapped filming on the Roland Joffé film 'There Be Dragons' in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Nina Arianda (Vanda/Dunayev) has appeared with Project 400 in 'Measure for Measure' and 'The Donkey Show' (understudy); HERE Arts Center: Becoming Natasha; and La Mama: Still the River Flows; NYU Graduate Acting: The Importance of Being Earnest, Three Sisters, The Clean House, Bus Stop, Hobson's Choice, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Charity, My Woman. Film: 'In Praise of Shadows,' 'Operation Fellisha,' 'Magic Pants Inc'.'