By Richard Pacheco
“Venus in Fur”
is a two-person play by David Ives set in modern New York
City. The play had its premiere off-Broadway at the Classic
Stage Company in 2010 and on Broadway in 2011. The current production at 2nd
Story sparkles with sheer brilliance, raw energy and is packed with laughter as
well as being provocative.
Thomas
Novachek is the writer-director of a new play opening in New York City; this
play-within-the-play is an adaptation of the 1870 novel “Venus in Furs “by the Austrian author
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch and happens to be the novel that inspired the term Masochism.
The play begins with Novachek on the telephone lamenting the inadequacies of
the actresses who have showed up that day to audition for the lead character,
Wanda von Dunayev. Suddenly, at the last minute, a new actress, Vanda Jordan,
bursts in. Novachek is on the telephone lamenting the inadequacies of the
actresses who have showed up that day to audition for the lead character,
Vanda
Jordan, bursts in. and she is brash, vulgar and unschooled, but she convinces
him to let her audition for the part of Wanda. The playwright will read the
part of Severin von Kushemski. They both become caught up in the characters
they are reading, often interchanging art and reality with unexpected
consequences.
Richard
Derry is Novachek, the playwright frustrated by the actresses who have thus far
auditioned for him. He is frustrated by his efforts to audition a leading lady
for the play, with no one seeming to measure up to his artistic needs. As he
reads the part of Severin von Kushemski je becomes swept up in the play, at
times merging his character with that of the character in the play. Derry
is wonderful in the role, sheer brilliance as he deftly shifts back and forth
between playwrights and character.
Lara Hakeem
is the actress, Vanda, who arrives late for the audition. She is brash, vulgar
and obnoxious, but also very sexy, sensual and provocative. She is outspoken
and daring as a person and as an actress, very nervy and bold. She moves in and
out of the role she is auditioning for and the actress at the audition with
skill and finesse. She is audacious and inventive, full of energy and sassy.
She alternates between the audacious actress and the sexy character with
finesse, effortlessly being either seductive or brash ass needed. It is an
impeccable performance.
The
chemistry between the two is impressive at once vibrant and touching, inventive
and provocative.
Ed Shea
directs with zest and intelligence. He knows how to evoke the best from these
two actors and does so consistently and robustly.
The set and
lighting design by Max Ponticelli is right on target evoking the bare auditions
space with the overhead skylights with skill and vision.
The
costumes by Ron Cesario are perfect from her provocative dominatrix outfit to
the coats he wears as the character in the play.
This is a do not miss production,
one loaded with terrific acting and an intriguing play that is inventive and
provocative.
“Venus in Fur" runs through June 28 at
2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren. Tickets are $30, and $21
for those 21 and under. Call (401) 247-4200, or visit 2ndstorytheatre.com.
