The New York Times today features the newly reborn career of Wes Bentley, star of Classic Stage Company's current production of VENUS IN FUR. Bentley starred in the 1999 hit film "American Beauty" at the age of 21 and has since taken a hiatus from the entertainment. Bentley's return to acting has come in the form of an off-Broadway play, a role he hopes will put him back in the spotlight.
"I wanted fame, but I thought it would be incremental, and I became afraid of the overnight-sensation thing," Bentley told the Times. "I started walking into rooms, and everyone would look at me, and I would freeze up. People kept saying, ‘You have to find your next movie,' and that didn't make life any better."
To read the full article from the New York Times, click here.
Following "American Beauty," Bentley starred a number of films, most of which opened to poor critical reception. Throughout that time, Bentley developed a serious drug habit.
Following an arrest in 2008, Bentley entered a drug rehab program and began a 12-step program, as well as attending rehabilitation meetings.
Of his rehabilitation, Bentley says, "I want to earn more work because I'm doing good work, but people were questioning if I was even in shape to do auditions. Telling my story is a way to say, ‘I'm O.K., things are better.' "
VENUS IN FUR. The play is the newest work of author David Ives and is directed by Walter Bobbie. It was recently announced that VENUS IN FUR has extended through March 7th.
VENUS IN FUR, inspired by the infamous erotic novel of the same name, takes us behind the scenes of an audition, where a man and a woman blur the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex. A crackling exploration of sexual control and desire, the play is captive to David Ives' famous combination of classic rigor and contemporary wit.
Sets for VENUS IN FUR are by Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty, costumes by Anita Yavitch, lighting by Tony Award winner Peter Kaczorowski and sound by Acme Sound Partners.
VENUS IN FUR will perform Tuesday through Friday at 8 pm; Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm; and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $60 Tuesday through Thursday and $65 Friday through Sunday. For tickets and information, visit www.classicstage.org or call (866) 811-4111, or (212) 352-3101, or visit the CSC box office at 136 East 13th Street, Monday through Friday 12 pm to 6 pm.
For more information, visit www.classicstage.org.
