Venus in Fur Extends and Eyes Broadway Transfer

The well-reviewed off-Broadway production of David Ives’ Venus in Fur has announced a two-week extension at Classic Stage Company, through March 7. Director Walter Bobbie told The New York Times that several producers are exploring the idea of moving the new play to Broadway, although no deal has been made. Venus in Fur opened on January 26 and stars American Beauty alum Wes Bentley and acclaimed newcomer Nina Arianda.

Inspired by the infamous erotic novel of the same name, Venus in Fur takes audiences 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. Bentley portrays a modern-day playwright who has written a stage adaptation of the 1870 novel, and Arianda arrives to audition for the lead role. (Click here to see Broadway.com's video feature about the show.)

In addition to a possible Broadway transfer, “There’s also already interest in the play from regional theaters and in Europe,” Bobbie told the Times, “because, I think, coming up with a two-hander that is this smart and this sexy and engrossing is a rarity.”

Venus in Fur features sets by John Lee Beatty, costumes by Anita Yavitch, lighting by Peter Kaczorowski and sound by Acme Sound Partners.