Jungle Theatre presents seductive new comedy Venus In Fur
Dec 21, 2012

The Jungle Theater opens its 2013 season with VENUS IN FUR, billed as 2011's "funniest, sexiest, most acclaimed new Broadway play," starring Anna Sundberg and Peter Christian Hansen - both 2011 Ivey Award winners. Designed and directed by Joel Sass, the regional premiere of the Tony-nominated play dovetails with the recent Fifty Shades of Grey book phenomenon, both exploring the once-taboo erotic subject of sado-masochism. Venus in Fur opens February 1 and runs through March 10, 2013, at the Lyn-Lake theater at 2951 Lyndale Avenue S., in Minneapolis.

Venus in Fur blends love, lust and literature with the ultimate battle of the sexes. Set in a stark rehearsal studio, this fast-paced 90-minute play is both an intellectual adventure and an often funny encounter between an actor and a playwright/director. Vanda (Anna Sundberg) is determined to land the lead in Thomas' (Peter Christian Hansen) new play, an adaptation of the classic erotic novel which inspired the term "masochism." She arrives at the audition-her bag filled with S&M gear and period costumes-and soon Thomas is drawn into reading his own script with this mysterious young woman. Vanda's emotionally charged audition for the gifted but demanding playwright becomes an electrifying game of cat and mouse that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex.

Director Joel Sass said, "The subject matter may sound scandalous, but Venus In Fur is going to attract attention because of its brilliant script and sizzling cast. Although audiences get to watch others dabble in the forbidden, they'll be equally riveted by the suspense and humor. It's very funny, racy and sexy. It's like an adult cocktail."

The creative team also includes 2012 Ivey Award-winning Barry Browning (lighting design), Amelia Cheever (costume design), Annie Enneking (fight choreographer), Sean Healey (sound designer), John Novak (stage manager and props) and John Stillwell (technical director).

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