'Venus in Fur' Offers 'Good, Kinky Fun'

Huntington Theatre Company kicks off 2014 with David Ives' sexy Broadway smash hit "Venus in Fur," deemed "90 minutes of good, kinky fun," by The New York Times. Daniel Goldstein ("God of Carnage") returns to the Huntington to the direct the 2012 Tony Award nominee for Best Play.

Performances will begin on Jan. 3 at the Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre. The most produced play in America this season, "Venus in Fur" is "deadly serious, madly funny ... you won't see a funnier play this season, or a smarter one," says The Wall Street Journal.

Chris Kipiniak ("Metamorphoses" and "Macbeth" on Broadway) makes his Huntington debut as Thomas, an ambitious director struggling to find the perfect actress to play the leading role in his new adaptation of the erotic novel, "Venus in Furs" by Leopold von Sacher-Mosoch (the inspiration for the term masochism). Andrea Syglowski ("Benefit of the Doubt" at Roundabout Theatre Company and "The Cherry Orchard" at New York's Mint Theater Company) plays one of the most coveted roles in contemporary American theatre: Vanda, the actress who seduces her way into Thomas' audition room, cast, and fantasies. Her charged audition becomes an electrifying game of cat and mouse as the lines blur between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex.

"This savage, sexy, smart, and funny new play took my breath away," says Artistic Director Peter DuBois. "Director Daniel Goldstein set our stage on fire with 'God of Carnage,' and I know he will make this new production the hottest date night in Boston." Hear more from DuBois about the production at huntingtontheatre.org/peter-venusinfur.

"It's such a thrill always to return to the Huntington and Boston audiences," says Goldstein. "Chris and Andrea are at the top of their game, and we look forward to bringing this explosive new play to life."

David Ives (Playwright) is the author of the one-act comedies "All in the Timing" (Outer Critics Circle Award) and "Time Flies." His full-length plays include "The School For Lies" (adapted from Moli�re's "The Misanthrope," Classic Stage Company), "The Heir Apparent" (adapted from J-F Regnard's comedy, Shakespeare Theatre Company), "New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza" (Hull-Warriner Award), "Is He Dead?" (adapted from Mark Twain), "White Christmas," "Polish Joke," and "Ancient History." He has translated Feydeau's classic farce "A Flea in Her Ear," Yazmina Reza's drama "A Spanish Play," and Pierre Corneille's 1643 comedy "The Liar." He is the author of three young-adult novels: "Monsieur Eek, Scrib," and "Voss," and he has adapted 32 American musicals for New York City's beloved "Encores!" series. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and a former Guggenheim Fellow in playwriting.

Daniel Goldstein (Director) directed "God of Carnage," "Falsettos," "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," and "The Cry of the Reed" for the Huntington and the recent Broadway revival of "Godspell" on Broadway. Regional credits include "Snapshots" and "Hello, Dolly!" (Goodspeed Musicals), "Tamar of the River," (Prospect Theater Company), "Gekido" (New National Theater: Tokyo), "Anna Christie" (The Old Globe), and "Artificial Fellow Traveler" with Ethan Sandler. As a writer, his musical "Unknown Soldier" (written with Michael Friedman for a Huntington Theatre Company Calderwood Commission) was developed by The O'Neill Musical Theater Conference. Other projects include "The Ride" (NYC commercial), "Golden Boy" (The Juilliard School), "True West" (Williamstown Theatre Festival), "Miss Margarida's Way" (Bay Street Theatre, with Julie Halston), "Lower Ninth" (The Flea Theater and SPF), and the Off Broadway commercial production of the hit Fringe Festival musical "Walmartopia." He served as the associate director for "All Shook Up!" and "Fully Committed," and the resident director for the first national tour of "Mamma Mia!" He is a graduate of Northwestern University.

The Huntington's production of "Venus in Fur" will feature scenic design by Matt Saunders (Associate Artistic Director of New Paradise Laboratories, "The Fab 4 Reach the Pearly Gates" at PS 122.); costume design by Charles Schoonmaker ("God of Carnage" and "A Long and Winding Road" at the Huntington); lighting design by M.L. Geiger (international tour of "Mabou Mines' Dollhouse," and "Oslo Elsewhere" at 59E59); and sound design by Darron L. West (Tony Award for "Peter and the Starcatcher" on Broadway). Production stage manager is Emily F. McMullen. Stage manager is Kevin Schlagle.

"Venus in Fur"
Jan. 3 - Feb. 2, 2014
Evenings: Tues. - Thurs. at 7:30pm; Fri. - Sat. at 8pm; select Sun. at 7pm
Matinees: Select Wed., Sat., and Sun. at 2pm
Days and times vary; see complete schedule below.

Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston

Single tickets starting at $25 and FlexPasses are on sale:
Online: at huntingtontheatre.org
Phone at 617 266 0800
In person at the BU Theatre Box Office, 264 Huntington Ave. and the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA Box Office, 527 Tremont St. in Boston's South End.