Milwaukee Repertory Theater joins the ranks of dozens of other regional theaters across the country as it stages, Venus in Fur, David Ives’ dark sex comedy. According to American Theater magazine, Venusis the most-performed play in American theaters this season. A whopping 22 productions will be staged in 2013, according to the magazine’s survey.
This two-person play opened on Broadway in 2011, with actor Nina Arianda winning the Tony Award. It should be noted that this popular play is all in fun (or perhaps, more accurately, it’s all foreplay and no action). But it still should be considered off-limits for the kiddies. In the Milwaukee production, Greta Wohlrabe plays Vanda (the role created Off-Broadway and on Broadway by Arianda). Vanda is a character who swings back and forth between “ditzy actress auditioning for a play” and the play’s seductress, who is also called Vanda. It’s a tough role for even a seasoned actor to pull off; much less an actor who needs to be 20-ish and voluptuous (Wohlrabe certainly fits the bill in this department, sometimes wearing only a skin-tight black bustier created by Rachel Laritz). Vanda needs to be tempting and manipulative, using whatever trick she needs to conquer the play’s director, Thomas (Reese Madigan). She has her work cut out for her.
As the play begins, it is early evening in a seedy audition hall. Overhead fluorescent lights glare down on the ancient brick walls, a desk and, at the other end of the room, a faded, tattered divan. Thomas is on his cell phone, complaining to his girlfriend about all the actors he has seen that day. None of them, in his opinion, even comes close to the mark. “I need a woman who can pronounce the word ‘degradation’ without needing a tutor,” he moans.
A clap of thunder is heard as Vanda nearly topples into the room. With the liberal use of four-letter words, she describes her harrowing trip across Manhattan to get to the audition. She curses the storm outside. Although Thomas sternly informs her he is in no mood for more auditions, Vanda cajoles, wheedles and cries until he relents.
Playwright David Ives (All in the Timing) tantalizes the audience as much as he does Thomas in this funny, sexy show. Director Laura Gordon skillfully maintains the sexual tension throughout the play’s 90 minutes. As the audition begins, Thomas plays the male role: a real-life, 19th century author whose name coined the term sadomasochism. His 1870 book is called “Venus in Fur.”
Wohlrabe is maddeningly funny as she frequently goes “off character” to make some observation or ask Thomas a question about the play. “It’s a play about s&m porn, right?” she asks Thomas at one point. Thomas responds in a frosty tone: “it’s a serious novel.”
The play’s meaning becomes less important once the actor and director establish their characters. They switch roles at one point, with Madigan giving a convincing performance as Thomas’ notion of Vanda. They begin improvising, not knowing exactly where their dialogue will lead.
As Thomas, Madigan successfully walks a tightrope. He must be strong-willed and sexy, but also sensitive and vulnerable. He must be securely attached to his girlfriend -- at least until Vanda intervenes. Most importantly, he can’t make Thomas seem creepy, effeminate, or extremely sexist. Madigan accomplishes his goal with astonishing aplomb.
By now, it should be abundantly clear that these actors are well-matched as they balance the give-and-take that Venus requires. The playwright saves a few surprises for the end, which won’t be revealed here. But not to fear; they are niftily handled by this accomplished pair.
With the help of Scott Davis’ realistic-looking set and Aimee Hanyzewski’s increasingly seductive lighting (once the fluorescents are turned off), this production of Venus in Fur would be tough to match in any regional theater across the country. For the adventurous theatergoer, this show is a dazzling delight.
Previews:
September 27, 2013
Ended:
November 3, 2013
Country:
USA
State:
Wisconsin
City:
Milwaukee
Company/Producers:
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Milwaukee Repertory Theater - Stiemke Studio Theater
Theater Address:
108 East Wells Street
Phone:
414-224-9490
Website:
milwaukeerep.com
Running Time:
90 min
Genre:
Dark Comedy
Director:
Laura Gordon
Review:
Parental:
profanity, adult themes
Cast:
Reese Madigan (Thomas), Greta Wohlrabe (Vanda).
Technical:
Set: Scott Davis; Costumes: Rachel Laritz; Lighting: Aimee Hanyzewski; Sound: Joe Cerqua.
Critic:
Anne Siegel
Date Reviewed:
September 2013
