Did anyone go to the Venus in Fur first preview?

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:41pm

I didn't see a thread already posted and I'm very curious to hear how the Broadway incarnation is.

[singer73192]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:45pm

I was there this evening and really enjoyed it! I had missed it off-Broadway, so I was excited to get a chance to see it! Nina was absolutely STUNNING! Wow wow wow! I hope that she is still remembered come awards season. Unfortunately, I had a rather hard time hearing some of the lines from where I was in the mezz. Hopefully they will be able to resolve this problem. Otherwise I highly recommend seeing it!

[djb]

Posted: 10/14/11 at 12:24am

I also saw it tonight and as previously stated "WOW WOW WOW"... On the edge of my seat the entire production. I also missed it off-Broadway so I've been waiting for this for a while and it does not disappoint. It surprisingly ran about 1 hour and 50 minutes so I assuming they'll tighten it to get it down to the planned 90 minutes but it effortlessly flew by for me. Nina is a triumph and I thought Hugh Dancy was incredible. They were an electric team onstage. It was one of the best new plays that I've seen (especially on Broadway) in a long time. Recommended entirely. All I can say for now, I'll answer more questions if they arise.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 10/14/11 at 10:29pm

I just saw the second preview. Two brilliant performances! I absolutely loved the play. It's still running 1 hour and 50 minutes, but I was completely engaged the entire time. It looked like a pretty full house tonight. Go see it!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/14/11 at 11:41pm

I saw the second preview tonight as well. All due respect to Hugh Dancy, as he gives a very strong performance, but Nina Ariande is completely brilliant and owns this play. From the second she bursts onto the stage yelling a flurry of obscenities to the final moments she is magnificent.

I do think Nina has better chemistry with Hugh than with Wes off-Broadway. They work well as a pair, and as the stakes keep getting raised they never let the intensity sag.

I believe Isherwood reviewed this originally, but I hope Brantley takes over for the Broadway production because I want to read one of his all out gush fests for this diva in the making. She transitions from accent to accent and character to character so thrillingly. It's a marvel and I hope and pray that although this will be long closed come May that she will still be remembered for a Tony nomination.

Congrats to all involved!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 10/15/11 at 8:17am

Went to the TKTS booth last night at 7:20 and almost bought a seat. It was 64 bucks and I opted not to spend that much. Maybe I need to spend the money? Is the play that substantial? I recall the original review(s), and it seemed like a narrow slice for a rarefied audience. Perhaps unfair.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 10/15/11 at 8:34am

Gah, I saw it last night and absolutely loved it. Really strong performances by Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy; I saw the former in "Born Yesterday" last season, but she really shines here. The tension escalated for nearly two hours and never broke. The only way I could've enjoyed myself more is if the gentleman in the row behind me who was vocalizing with every exhale would've stopped moan-breathing. *sigh*

[Blactor]

Posted: 10/15/11 at 6:47pm

Saw this show off-Broadway. Didn't like the play, but that may have been because the male was miscast/weak. Nina deserved to blow up off of her performance in that production, I can't wait to see her play off of an actor who can hold his own with her.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 9:08pm

Saw Venus last night. Nina Arianda is spectacular. If there ever was a tour de force performance, this was it. What she pulls by playing two totally different characters at the same moment is not to be believed. I wasn't crazy about the play itself, but anyone interested in the art of great acting should see this. Truly amazing

[Panerofan]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 10:01pm

Going Thursday...can't wait.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 10:10pm

Based on what I saw at CSC, Arianda is giving the kind of performance that people will remember for years after seeing it. That was one of the many great things about seeing her in BORN YESTERDAY--it was confirmation that her debut wasn't a fluke, and that she could command a Broadway house with as much ease as she did in a 250 seat theatre. I look forward to seeing her again, opposite the ridiculously talented (and mouth-watering) Mr. Dancy.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 10:15pm

Saw it today and really enjoyed it. It's definitely different (especially for MTC) and risky, but it's really funny, engaging, and entertaining. Hugh Dancy is excellent and there are just no words to describe Nina Arianda's talent. This girl deserves to be a superstar. What a performance. She's flawless.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 12:47am

Saw the play tonight Sunday Oct 16 at 7 pm
In spite of two very fine performances< I found the play very dull after the first fifteen minutes. Don't see what people like about this so much.

I've seen much better plays.

I've seen more realistic s and m at clubs in lower Manhattan.
If this is what is exciting audiences than they need to get out more.

Would not recommend. And 128 per ticket for a two character play (even at half price at $64 which I paid) not a very good bang for the buck.

[blakev]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 12:07pm

I went to see this based on reviews of the prior production and comments made here. Also, the subject matter interests me. I was so disappointed. Bored, actually. 90 minutes seemed like 2 1/2 hours. What I'm truly confused with is everyone's effusive comments and accolades for the lead actress. I thought the performance was mediocre at best. It was this frenetic, put upon character that did not touch me in any way other than grate on my nerves. I just don't understand this "a star is born" reaction to her. After years of just reading these boards, I finally had to join because I just can't express how confused I am with what is considered "amazing".

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 1:27pm

It continues to boggle my mind as well how people are going on and on about how wonderful this show is.

[thismyshow]

Posted: 10/31/11 at 2:27am

saw it tonight, its still running about an hour and 45 minutes, I really enjoyed it glad i got to see it as I missed it at CSC, Nina is amazing she is now 2 for 2 in my book, only issue is the guy in my row who was super loud when he left with not even 2 minutes left in the show (could not believe that anyone would leave with so little of the show left)

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/31/11 at 6:39am

Could you TELL there was only 2 minutes left? Perhaps he was feeling ill and could not hold off waiting any longer. Would it have been better to vomit in the house with only 2 minutes left.
I am not the man that left, nor do I know him, but I am sure that ruining your evening (I know, hypebole) was not what he had in mind.

[Kempster]

Posted: 10/31/11 at 1:15pm

Saw the Saturday matinee this weekend and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the show especially the work of Nina who was phenominal. I missed the original version but when I saw her in Born Yesterday I knew there was no way I was not going to see the Broadway version. Great Job Nina

[thismyshow]

Posted: 10/31/11 at 2:37pm

@dramaMama i wasnt sure it was 2 minutes but I knew we were building to an ending at that point, and trust me the guy did not look ill.....

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/31/11 at 2:39pm

Maybe an actual story developing after 100 minutes was too little too late for him.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 11/6/11 at 4:24pm

Performances were stellar, play was brilliant. I loved every second of this.

[staunchcharacter]

Posted: 11/7/11 at 12:20am

It makes me happy to hear that Nina is doing well. I really want her to excel.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/7/11 at 12:35am

She's fine. It's the script that's a disaster.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 11/7/11 at 7:02am

I saw it this past week (November 1st) and it was still running 1 hour 50 Min. I had to run for my bus. Nina Arianda is perfection. I saw Born Yesterday because everyone was saying how amazing she was and she completely carried that show (and was the only thing I liked about it). Venus in Fur isn't my favorite show, but the performances were what made it so great. I can't wait to see what Nina will bring us next.

[D2]

Posted: 11/7/11 at 7:37am

I saw it Friday night.

Cheers for Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy.

The play? Not so much. Ives doesn't take enough risks with his material, the character motivations are muddy at best and frequently incomprehensible: that Arianda and Dancy are so good is a testament to their gifts as actors. It was quite telling to me that toward the end, when the script is flailing listlessly, was when Arianda seemed least comfortable as she had absolutely nothing to play. Yet she still effortlessly commanded the stage and my attention. Brava.