News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Venus 1996

Ages: 16+
Opened: April 16, 1996
Closing: June 19, 1996

Venus - 1996 Off-Broadway History , Info & More


Get Venus Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Suzan-Lori Parks' PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR to Return to The Public Theater in April
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2023


The Public Theater has announced complete casting for the remount of the theatrical concert PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets!

Suzan-Lori Parks, Leland Fowler, Lauren Molina & More to Star in PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR World Premiere at The Public
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 14, 2022


The Public Theater has announced complete casting for the world premiere of PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR, written by and featuring Pulitzer Prize winner and Public Theater Writer-in-Residence Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Bessie Award winner Niegel Smith. 

TOPDOG/UNDERDOG Will Return to Broadway This Fall with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Corey Hawkins
by Team BWW - Jun 14, 2022


SUZAN-LORI PARKS’ Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, will return to Broadway this Fall in a 20th Anniversary Production, directed by Tony Award-winner KENNY LEON. Learn all about the new production!

Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, Dancer Masazumi Chaya & More to Receive Honorary Doctoral Degrees From Juilliard
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2022


The Juilliard School will hold its 117th commencement ceremony on May 20, 2022, at 10:30am. The ceremony will be held outdoors on the Lincoln Center campus in Damrosch Park, presided over by Juilliard President Damian Woetzel. It will also be livestreamed at juilliard.edu for those unable to attend in person.

The Catastrophic Theatre Presents THE BOOK OF GRACE
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 2, 2022


The Catastrophic Theatre will produce The Book of Grace by trailblazing playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. The Book of Grace is directed by Luis Galindo and Jeff Miller and runs April 1 – April 24 at the Midtown Arts and Theatre Center Houston.

Cast Announced For FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS (Parts 1, 2 & 3)
by A.A. Cristi - May 4, 2018


Goodman Theatre announces the cast and creative team for the Chicago premiere of Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Niegel Smith. Parks, in her "finest work yet" (New York Times), serves up "an American story as much about our present as it is about our past" (Los Angeles Times). Filled with wit, poetry and original music composed by Grammy Award winner Justin Ellington and performed on stage nightly by Chicago native blues musician Melody Angel, the production follows Hero (Kamal Angelo Bolden), a Texas slave, who faces a simple yet monumental choice: join his master in the Confederate army to win his freedom-or remain enslaved at the plantation. Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) appears May 25 - June 24, 2018 (opening night is June 4 at 7pm) in Goodman Theatre's 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre. The estimated run time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Tickets ($10 - $40; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Father , by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 N. Dearborn). The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation is the Major Production Sponsor and American Airlines is the Contributing Sponsor.

Yale Rep Presents Suzan-Lori Parks's FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS, Parts 1, 2 & 3
by Julie Musbach - Feb 19, 2018


Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3 by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Liz Diamond, March 16-April 7, at the University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, March 22. Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3 is a co-production with San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, where it will play April 25-May 20.

Actor's Express to Stage FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS (PARTS 1, 2 & 3)
by BWW News Desk - Apr 28, 2017


Actor's Express stages Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks' Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) May 13-June 11, 2017.

FIELD GUIDE Premiere, 'FATHER COMES HOME' and More on Tap for Yale Rep's 2017-18 Season
by BWW News Desk - Apr 5, 2017


Yale Repertory Theatre, the multiple Tony Award-winning theatre dedicated to the production of new plays and bold interpretations of classic works, has announced its 2017-18 Season.

Stars Set for Billy Porter-Helmed TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at the Huntington
by BWW News Desk - Mar 10, 2017


The Huntington Theatre Company presents the explosive Pulitzer Prize winner Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Tony, Grammy, and Drama Desk Award winner Billy Porter (The Colored Museum at the Huntington and Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway). Performances run March 10 - April 9, 2017 at the Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre.

Stars Set for Billy Porter-Helmed TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at the Huntington
by BWW News Desk - Jan 25, 2017


The Huntington Theatre Company presents the explosive Pulitzer Prize winner Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Tony, Grammy, and Drama Desk Award winner Billy Porter (The Colored Museum at the Huntington and Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway). Performances run March 10 - April 9, 2017 at the Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre.

'FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS' Begins Tonight at the Taper
by BWW News Desk - Apr 5, 2016


Center Theatre Group presents the West Coast premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks' 'Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3)' which begins previews tonight, April 5, opens April 17 and continues through May 15, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum.

Suzan-Lori Parks Named Residency One Playwright for Signature's 2016-17 Season
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 4, 2016


Signature Theatre has announced that Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks will be the Residency One Playwright for the 2016-2017 season.

2016 Lucille Lortel Awards Date Set; Suzan-Lori Parks & James Houghton to be Honored
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 23, 2016


The Off-Broadway League today announced details for the 2016 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The 31st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at NYU Skirball Center, beginning at 7:00pm EST. 

Sterling K. Brown to Reprise Role in 'FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS' at the Taper
by BWW News Desk - Feb 24, 2016


Center Theatre Group has announced casting for the West Coast premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks' 'Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3)' which begins previews April 5, opens April 17 and continues through May 15, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum.

FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS, DISGRACED and More Slated for 2016 at CTG's Mark Taper Forum
by BWW News Desk - Sep 8, 2015


Powerful plays and playwrights dominate the Center Theatre Group's 49th season at the Mark Taper Forum. Michael Ritchie, CTG's Artistic Director, announced five important and involving plays, from celebrated new works to definitive productions of classics, for the theatre's 2016 season at the Los Angeles Music Center.

The Public's OLD-FASHIONED PROSTITUTES Begins 4/30
by Kelsey Denette - Apr 23, 2013


The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) will begin previews for the world premiere of OLD-FASHIONED PROSTITUTES (A TRUE ROMANCE) on Tuesday, April 30. Written, directed, and designed by Richard Foreman, who has been working with The Public Theater for more than 36 years, OLD-FASHIONED PROSTITUTES (A TRUE ROMANCE) and runs through Sunday, June 2, in The Public's Martinson Theater, with an official press opening on Tuesday, May 7.

Manilow's HARMONY, DeVito and Griffiths in THE SUNSHINE BOYS, WE WILL ROCK YOU, PORGY & BESS & More Set for Ahmanson in 2013-14
by BWW Special Coverage - Mar 13, 2013


The 2013-2014 Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre season was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie.

Stephanie Hayes, Alenka Kraigher and More Set for The Public's OLD-FASHIONED PROSTITUTES (A TRUE ROMANCE)
by Kelsey Denette - Feb 26, 2013


The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced complete casting today for the world premiere of OLD-FASHIONED PROSTITUTES (A TRUE ROMANCE). Written, directed, and designed by Richard Foreman who has been working with The Public Theater for more than 36 years, OLD-FASHIONED PROSTITUTES (A TRUE ROMANCE) begins performances in The Public's Martinson Theater on Tuesday, April 30 and runs through Sunday, June 2, with an official press opening on Tuesday, May 7.

David Byrne, Wynton Marsalis, and More Set for Public Theater Forum Duets in February
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 6, 2013


The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced the line-up today for two Public Forum Duets this February, kicking off the spring Public Forum season with an intense focus on music and the way it shapes our lives.

Marin Theatre Company Presents TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, Now thru 10/21
by BWW News Desk - Sep 27, 2012


Marin Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 Season with Suzan-Lori Parks's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Topdog/Underdog, which runs from tonight, September 27 to October 21.

Marin Theatre Company Presents TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, 9/27-10/21
by BWW News Desk - Aug 30, 2012


Marin Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 Season with Suzan-Lori Parks's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Topdog/Underdog, which runs from September 27 to October 21.

STAGE TUBE: First Look at Broadway-Bound PORGY & BESS in Workshop
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 22, 2011


A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opens its 2011-12 season with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. The adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown, begins previews on August 17 and opens for the reviewing press on August 31 at 7pm. Performances are at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge. Tickets for preview performances are currently on sale, remaining tickets for the run go on sale on July 12. Check out a sneak peek of the production below!

Photo Flash: First Look at Broadway-Bound PORGY & BESS at A.R.T.
by BWW - Aug 17, 2011


A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) will present The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, opening the A.R.T.'s 2011-2 season tonight, August 17 at the Loeb Drama Center. The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, is adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray, and directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus. Check out the first production shots below!

PORGY AND BESS Starts Performances at A.R.T. 8/17
by BWW - Aug 17, 2011


A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) will present The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, opening the A.R.T.'s 2011-2 season on August 117 at the Loeb Drama Center. The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, is adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray, and directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus.

Venus History

Other Productions of Venus

1996   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2017   Off-Broadway Signature Theatre Revival
Off-Broadway

Venus - 1996 Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1996 Obie Awards Performance Adina Porter
1996 Obie Awards Playwriting Suzan-Lori Parks

Videos