Celebrated author of Veronica's Room pays surprise visit to cast

Warwick - Ira Levin, author of Rosemary’s Baby, Boys from Brazil, Stepford Wives and Deathtrap, surprised the cast of his play, Veronica’s Room, following their performance Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery. “This was one of the best productions of Veronica’s Room that I have ever seen,” Levin told Mary Clifford, the Illustrious Theatre’s artistic director, and Paul Meacham, the play’s director. “The actors played their parts so close to the characters I tried to create,” he continued. “The direction, the costumes, and the set design were excellent.” Subsequently, Levin agreed to serve as honorary chair of The Illustrious Theatre Company’s first fundraising gala to support the outdoor “Shakespeare in the Orchard” production, which this summer will be Romeo and Juliet. The gala will take place in late March. For information, call 973-764-4936 or send e-mail to theitc@warwick.net,