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'Venus In Fur,' The Playhouse's Sexy And Cerebral Show That's Not For The Kids
by Jack Morgan
Click to listen to audio version at Texas Public Radio
The Playhouse is about to begin a play that is raising a few eyebrows because of what the play is about.
"'Venus in Fur' is a play adaptation by David Ives of the novel published first in German in 1870 by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch," said John O’Neil, who directs the production.
But there’s no getting around it, the show is about sex.
"Sexy, erotic, sensuous, but not trashy, if that makes any sense," O’Neil said.
And while eros plays a real role here, there’s no nudity in the play. But O'Neil did say there is plenty of humor.
"I think it’s incredibly funny," he said. "So you have this modern comedy set within the confines of this 1870 very serious, very, almost melodramatic novel. I think the play asks has that much really changed in sexual politics or how we wield power in any two-person relationship."
It’s a play-within-a-play, wherein its two cast members play a total of six characters. O'Neil raves about his actors.
"I’m sorry if I can’t rave enough about Michael Holly and Kaycie Griffin," he said. "I fell in love with both of them at auditions and I love them even more now because they are two excellent actors who really get the essence."
From his description, there’s a lot going on and a much of that isn’t so much physical as mental. And O’Neil’s throws in this tantalizing tidbit of info:
"And at the end of the play there is a victor…but I think I’ll withhold that."
That and Lou Reed’s connection to the play will only be revealed by going.
Boerne Community Theatre Presents Tony Award-Winning Play
by Jack Morgan
click to go to TPR to listen to audio file (1:29)
The Boerne Community Theatre (BCT) is mounting a production of "God of Carnage," a Tony Award-winning play that’s quite a ways out of the Neil Simon romantic comedy mold.
"When I read the script I knew that I needed to direct this show," said BCT Executive/Artistic Director Patty Loftis.
I asked her about BCT's Theater on the Edge program: "You said that 'God of Carnage' was a part of your Theater on the Edge thing -- what does that mean?"
"It is billed as a 'savage comedy' and it is billed that way for a reason because the premise for the show is that two Brooklyn parents get together after a playground altercation between their 11-year-old sons," Loftis said. "And they decide to be very adult and very polite and very politically correct at the beginning. One little comment is said and then another and another. And turns totally into another direction by the end of the show."
Despite what you may think from that description, Loftis said there are a lot of funny moments, too.
Loftis said the play’s reputation as a great vehicle for acting made casting a breeze.
"It is one of those actor dream shows. I was able to select a stellar, stellar cast. I cannot stress enough that people really need to come see this because it will be quite an experience," Loftis said.
"So the construct of polite society goes away?" I asked.
"The people all turn into savages!" she laughed.
The 86-seat theater is known for its wide seat comfort and intimacy with the stage. "God of Carnage" runs most nights from January 10-18.
