October 25, 2002

This fall California State University, Sacramento's department of theatre and dance will present a powerful view of how people are often more influenced by appearance than substance with the play Venus.

The play by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Suzan-Lori Parks is about a young black South African woman, Venus Hottentot, who was taken to Europe in 1810 to exhibit her peculiar body frame to freak show audiences. Venus finds refuge from the brutality of the show in the attentions of a European scientist. For him, the relationship satisfies his scientific curiosity about unusual human anatomy.

The production will take place in the University Theatre, Shasta Hall 113, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 10. The shows will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

"Venus is based on the true story of the Hottentot Venus," says director Linda Goodrich. "It examines issues of sex, race and the objectification of people in culture, as well as the fascination of the exotic."

In a twist on traditional staging, Venus is unusual in that characters will play dual roles, dialogue is often poetry, and it takes place backwards, starting with the end.
The play is adult-oriented and is not suitable for children.

Tickets are $13 general and $8 students and seniors. Tickets are available at the CSUS Central Ticket Office, (916) 278-4323 or online at www.tickets.com. For additional media assistance contact CSUS public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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