According to CSC, "Venus in Fur, inspired by the infamous erotic novel of the same name, takes us 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. A crackling exploration of sexual control and desire, the play is captive to David Ives' famous combination of classic rigor and contemporary wit."
The world-premiere Off-Broadway engagement plays CSC (136 E. 13th Street) to Feb. 21. The official opening is Jan. 26.
Bentley (Thomas/Kushemski) was born in Jonesboro, AR, and attended the Juilliard School's Drama Division in New York City for a short period of time and appeared in a few stage works. He starred in several films, including the Oscar-winning "American Beauty," Michael Winterbottom's "The Claim," "The Four Feathers" and "P2." He more recently starred in "The Last Word" and the thriller "Dolan's Cadillac."
Arianda (Vanda/Dunayev), a New York University graduate acting alumna, has appeared with Project 400 in Measure for Measure and The Donkey Show (understudy) plus in Becoming Natasha (HERE), Still the River Flows (La Mama) and many roles at NYU.
The creative team for Venus in Fur includes Tony Award-winning set designer John Lee Beatty, costume designer Anita Yavitch, lighting designer Peter Kaczorowski and sound designer Acme Sound Partners. Venus in Fur plays Tuesday through Friday at 8 PM; Saturday at 2 PM and 8 PM; and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets are $60 Tuesday through Thursday and $65 Friday through Sunday.
For tickets and information, visit www.classicstage.org or call (866) 811-4111, or (212) 352-3101, or visit the CSC box office.
For more information on Classic Stage Company visit the theatre’s website at www.classicstage.org.