Tom Mayhall Rastrelli

Statesman Journal

Power. Intense. Funny. Dominance.

The cast and crew of the Verona Studio's "Venus in Fur" chose these words to describe their production that opens the Verona Studio's first full season of plays on Thursday, Sept. 18, in the Reed Opera House. "Venus" will be the first of four productions in . The Tony-nominated play is written by David Ives and will directed by one Seth Allen.

Since producing "Lonesome Hollow" in 2013, Allen joined with Randall Tosh and Deborah Bond to found the Verona Studio. The nonprofit aims to produce intimate, challenging and cutting-edge theater in downtown Salem.

"(Our mission statement) to produce shows that are edgy, provocative and thought provoking is so that we compliment the other performing arts that are going on, so that we add to the variety," Bond said.

Allen and Bond believe "Venus in Fur" fits the bill. The play is about an emotionally-charged audition in which a young woman auditions for an older male director. As they read the play and jockey for power over one another, the line between reality and fantasy blurs.

David Ballantyne and Felix Monet play the director and actress. They spoke to the show's themes that Ballantyne said can be interpreted in numerous ways.

"It's about women's empowerment," Monet said. "I think all of the women in the audience will feel stronger and the men will be thinking."

"I love anything that slyly teaches lessons," Ballantyne said. "There are a lot of thematic parallels between Greek mythology and lots of old stories that echo throughout this — the great punishment of kings or Oedipus."

Monet spoke to the show's quick pace.

"With the momentum, people will never be bored," Monet said.

Audience members should expect profanity, dark comedy and strong sexual situations on par with a rated-R movie. For those who are on the fence about attending a provocative and edgy play, Allen has an answer.

"This is an opportunity to see a modern play and to open your horizons. Give it a try," Allen said. "One of our goals is to get a new audience member interested in theater ... We want to make this accessible."

Grace Owens, a Western Oregon University graduate, is the production's stage manager, house manager and technical crew.

Curtain is at 9 p.m. The theater has 50 seats, so Allen encourages people to purchase tickets early.

The Verona Studio will produce three more shows that have yet to be determined. Allen and Bond hope to do staged readings of new materials by local authors and to sponsor a summer workshop for teens.

TRastrelli@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 983-6030 or follow on Twitter @RastrelliSJ

If you go

What: "Venus in Fur," by David Ives, directed by Seth Allen

Where: Cyrus Reed Theater, Reed Opera House, 189 Liberty St. NE, Suite 215

When: 9 p.m. Sept. 18-20, 25-27 and Oct. 2-4

Tickets: $15, general admission. To purchase, go to theveronastudio.com/tickets or call (805) 657-7538. For more information, email theveronastudio@yahoo.com

For the kids: No