40 Regional Productions of VENUS IN FUR Set for 26 Countries

VENUS IN FUR, the critically acclaimed play by Tony Award nominee David Ives, directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie, ended its triumphant run on Sunday at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with its highest grossing week ever, taking in $635,622 at the box office, besting the gross of many musicals during the same week.

The production opened on October 13, 2011 with Nina Arianda (who originated the role Off-Broadway) and Hugh Dancy. Following a sold out run at Manhattan Theatre Club, VENUS IN FUR transferred to the Lyceum where it received two Tony nominations, two Drama League nominations, and a Drama Desk nomination. VENUS IN FUR played 228 total performances and grossed almost $9 million at the Friedman and Lyceum Theatres.

VENUS IN FUR has been licensed and is in negotiation to be produced in over 40 regional theatres across the US and Canada with plans underway for productions in 26 different countries. It has been translated into many languages including French, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, and German. In addition, plans for a London production are underway.

Lead producer Jon B. Platt said, “When I first saw VENUS IN FUR downtown at Classic Stage Company, I was amazed by David Ives’ taut and nuanced writing and Walter Bobbie’s razor sharp direction. I was especially blown away by a then unknown actress named Nina Arianda. When the remarkable Hugh Dancy joined, I knew we were going to have not only a brilliant production by also the sexiest play Broadway had ever seen. It has been the most rewarding experience of my producing career working with my partners to bring this show to Broadway.”

VENUS IN FUR was produced at the Lyceum Theatre by Jon B. Platt, Scott Landis, Manhattan Theatre Club Productions, Inc. (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove Executive Producer), Jessica R. Jenen, Scott M. Delman, and Classic Stage Company.

Vanda (Tony Award winner Nina Arianda) is a preternaturally talented young actress determined to land the lead in Thomas’ (Drama Desk Award nominee Hugh Dancy) new play based on the classic erotic novel, Venus in Fur. Her emotionally charged audition for the gifted but demanding playwright/director becomes an electrifying game of cat and mouse, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex. This dazzling new play is written by theatrical mastermind David Ives, and directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie.

The creative team for VENUS IN FUR included John Lee Beatty (scenic design), Anita Yavich (costume design), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting design), ACME Sound Partners (sound design), and Thomas Schall (fight direction).

For more, visit www.VenusInFurBroadway.com or follow VENUS IN FUR on Twitter @VenusInFurBway or Facebook.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski