Illustrious Theatre Company hosts weekend of improvisational comedy

WARWICK-The Illustrious Theatre Company, in residence at the Warwick Valley Winery, announces its third season will start off with a weekend of improvisational comedy on Halloween weekend. The theatrical group will follow up with a production of the comedy "Fuddy Meers" in February, another comedy, "1959 Pink Thunderbird" in April, and for three weekends in July the outdoor Shakespeare series "Shakespeare in the Orchard". On Oct. 29 and 30 Illustrious Theatre opens the season with "Improv at the Winery: Whose Wine Is It Anyway?", an evening of improvisational comedy loosely based upon the popular TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" However, the true genesis of the concept for the evening lies in the improv troupes which emerged in the 70's, such as Second City in Chicago and The Improvisation in Boston. The evening will present performers from within the theatre company whose forte is both improvisation and comedy. Even though the actors will incorporate some of the "theatre games" used on the TV show into the evening, they will also be performing many other improvs, especially those that will encourage the audience to participate with suggestions and ideas. Proceeds from the performance will benefit the company's "Shakespeare in the Orchard" series, which presents a Shakespeare production every summer in the orchard at the Warwick Valley Winery. Tickets are $15 and are available at the Warwick Valley Winery, 114 Little York Road in Warwick, The Bookstore, 20 Main Street in Warwick, or by phone, 258-4858. Advance purchase is recommended. Showtime is 8 p.m. with seating beginning at 7 for those who wish to purchase something to eat from the winery's bistro style menu or to drink from its assortment of wines and ciders. On Feb. 11 - 27, Illustrious Theatre will present "Fuddy Meers," a comedy by David Lindsey-Abaire. Originally produced by The Manhattan Theatre Club, this hilarious play was such a success that it was moved to the Minetta Lane Theatre. Critically acclaimed as a brilliant comedy, this play is laced with dark humor and zany characters. "The 1959 Pink Thunderbird", by James McLure, scheduled for April 22 to May 7, is an evening of two one act plays: "Laundry and Bourbon" and "Lone Star". Both comedies work together as companion pieces, one telling the story of three women from a small town in Texas and the other, the story of three of the men. "Laundry and Bourbon" is a comedy that combines humor with a bittersweet, poignant undertone, while "Lone Star" is pure comedy, bawdy and farcical. Shows under consideration for the popular "Shakespeare in the Orchard" series, which presented "Much Ado About Nothing" the past summer, are "Romeo and Juliet", "As You Like It" or "Twelfth Night". The outdoor production is scheduled for July 8 to July 24. For additional information regarding any of the above shows, please call 973-764-4936.