Photo Flash: VENUS IN FUR at Trustus

Trustus Theatre continues its 29th Season with the Tony-nominated Venus in Fur. This titillating and seductive production is a study of the politics of sex and power that is guaranteed to charm and mesmerize. Venus in Fur opens on the Thigpen Main Stage on Friday, November 8th at 8:00pm, and runs through November 16th, 2013. This is a limited run so patrons are encouraged to get their tickets early. Tickets may be purchased at www.trustus.org.

Sexy. Provocative. Hilarious. The smash Broadway hit, dubbed "90 minutes of good, kinky fun" by The New York Times, makes its Columbia debut in a captivating new production directed by guest director Jim O'Connor (Good People). Venus in Fur introduces audiences to Thomas Novachek, a writer-director who is producing a new play. He is auditioning actresses for his adaptation of the 1870 novel Venus in Furs (which inspired the term Masochism). Thomas is on the telephone lamenting the inadequacies of all the actresses who showed up that day to audition for the lead character, Wanda von Dunajew. Suddenly a new actress, Vanda Jordan, bursts into the room. She is the exemplar of every fault he has decried: needy, crude, compliant, and desperate. She convinces him to read through his play, she as Wanda and he as Severin von Kusiemski. During this reading, Vanda shows astonishing insights into the novel and her character and the balance of power shifts as the actress begins to establish dominance over the director.

Guest Director Jim O'Connor's career as a theatre artist has spanned the nation. Jim has directed at numerous regional theatres, such as Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Alley Theatre in Houston, Stage West in Massachusetts, the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, and the Wisdom Bridge and Northlight Theatres in Chicago. He has also directed for the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespearean Festival on numerous occasions as well as the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival. He received the Cleveland Critics Circle Award and was nominated for Chicago's Joseph Jefferson Award for Directing. He was thrilled to return to Trustus to direct Venus in Fur after directing last season's Good People.

"This script is wonderfully multi-faceted," said O'Connor. "It is as intellectually sound as a Tom Stoppard play, as interesting a puzzle as Jean Genet's The Balcony, and as titillating as a 19th century seduction. It's smart. It's exciting. It's sexy."

O'Connor cast Trustus company member Bobby Bloom (Ragtime, Red) in the role of Thomas, the playwright/director. Jennifer Moody-Sanchez (Pine, My First Time) takes on the role of actress Vanda Jordan. Both actors are looking forward to taking the audience on a journey through shifts in control, domination, and passion.

When asked what he thinks audiences will experience at Venus in Fur, O'Connor had this to say: "I am sure they will laugh a lot, listen to some beautiful language, be shocked by some of the vocabulary, and be excited by the sensuality and eroticism. They'll be talking about it with others who have seen the show long after they've left the theatre."

Venus in Fur opens on the Trustus Main Stage on Friday, November 8th at 8:00pm and runs through November 16th, 2013. Thigpen Main Stage shows start at 8:00pm Thursdays through Saturdays, and Sunday matinees are at 3:00pm. Tickets are $22.00 for adults, $20.00 for military and seniors, and $15.00 for students. Half-price Student Rush-Tickets are available 15 minutes prior to curtain.

Trustus Theatre is located at 520 Lady Street, behind the Gervais St. Publix. Parking is available on Lady St. and on Pulaski St. The Main Stage entrance is located on the Publix side of the building.

For more information or reservations call the box office Tuesdays through Saturdays 1-6 pm at 803-254-9732. Visit www.trustus.org for all show information and season information.

Promotional shots by Jonathan Sharpe

Bobby Bloom and Jennifer Moody

Bobby Bloom and Jennifer Moody

Bobby Bloom and Jennifer Moody

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