Broadway’s latest It-girl Nina Arianda is back in action with the November 8 opening of “Venus in Fur.” The David Ives-penned drama is settled into a limited run at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, where it closes December 18.
Arianda stars with Hugh Dancy in this play inspired by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s classic “Venus in Furs.” The action centers on playwright Thomas Novacheck (Dancy), who is wrapping a day of failed auditions for the lead in his own “Venus”-like play. But when bumbling actress Vanda Jordan (Arianda) arrives hours late and convinces Thomas to read opposite her, things start to sizzle.
In this highly praised Broadway staging, Arianda reprises the role she originated when “Venus in Fur” debuted Off-Broadway at Classic Stage Company in 2010. Director Walter Bobbie also returns to helm this production, though Dancy replaces original co-star Wes Bentley.
“Venus in Fur” entered previews October 13 at the 650-seat Friedman Theatre. Over the next four preview weeks, the show drew 15,653 attendees and grossed a cumulative $908,862 from ticket sales, according to the Broadway League.
The most recent reporting week ending November 6 was “Venus'” best to date. The playhouse hit 90 percent capacity, including pre-opening press comps, and ticket sales reached 48 percent of the play’s potential ($266,414).
Regular ticket prices range from $67 to $116, with the exception of Wednesday matinee tickets, which run from $57 to $106. “Venus in Fur” is staged Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre is located at 261 West 47th Street in New York, NY. “Venus in Fur” runs one hour and 45 minutes, without intermission. More details are available on the production’s official Web site.
Opening Night: “Venus in Fur”
| Publication | Critic | Review |
| Variety | Marilyn Stasio | “Hugh Dancy gives hot co-star Nina Arianda someone substantial to play to.” |
| New York Times | Charles Isherwood | “Ms. Arianda is giving the first must-see performance of the Broadway season, a bravura turn that burns so brightly you can almost feel the heat on your face.” |
| TheaterMania | Andy Propst | “…vibrant and provocative…” |
| Hollywood Reporter | David Rooney | “Arianda now has an accomplice/adversary who is every bit her equal.” |
| New York Daily News | Joe Dziemianowicz | “[Nina Arianda is] so funny, smart and sexy that watching her brings unexpected jolts like an electrical shock.” |
| Associated Press | Mark Kennedy | “The last line of the play is ‘Hail, Aphrodite!’ but it might as well be ‘Hail, Arianda!'” |
