Illustrious Theatre to present its first Neil Simon comedy

Warwick, N.Y. — The Illustrious Theatre Company, in residence at the Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery, opens its fifth season with Neil Simon’s romantic comedy, “Last of the Red Hot Lovers.” The company will also continue its unique collaboration with Sussex County’s professional theatre company, Tri-State Actors Theater, by presenting a third weekend at Tri-State’s theatre in Sussex. “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 1969, starring James Coco, Linda Lavin, Doris Roberts and Marcia Rodd. It won the 1970 Tony Award for Best Play and went on to play 706 performances. In this charming play. Barney Cashman, a middle-aged married nebbish, wants to join the sexual revolution of the late ’60’s before it’s too late. Joe Barra, of Pine Bush, will portray Barney in ITC’s production, with Victoria Ford, Cindy Rea and Mary Lee Shorr portraying the three women who come into Barney’s life. Simon, one of America’s most prolific playwrights, got his break writing comedy for Sid Caesar’s live TV comedy “Show of Shows” in the 1950’s, where he worked alongside Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbert and Carl Reiner. He is the only playwright to have four productions running on Broadway simultaneously. His first Broadway hit was “Come Blow Your Horn” followed by numerous others including “Barefoot in the Park,” “Plaza Suite,” “Rumors,” “The Odd Couple” and his autobiographical trilogy “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” “Biloxi Blues” and “Broadway Bound.” Performances at the Winery are Feb. 23, 24, 25 and March 2, 3 and 4. Curtain time on Fridays and Saturdays is 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. Seating, which is cabaret style, begins at 6:15 on Friday and Saturday and 5:45 on Sunday for those planning to enjoy a dinner from the winery’s Pané Café and Bakery. Dinner reservations are required. Tickets are now available at the Winery, by phone at 845-258-4858 or through the winery’s Web site at www.wvwinery.com. Tickets are $18 adults, $16 seniors and children 12 and under. Advanced purchase is recommended. The Warwick Valley Winery is located at 114 Little York Rd., Warwick, just off County Route 1, in the Pine Island region. The final two performances, at Tri-State Actors Theater in Sussex, will be Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the theatre at 973-875-2950. The historic Crescent Theatre is located at 74 Fountain Square in downtown Sussex. For additional information, call 973-764-4936 or visit the ITC Web site at www.theillustrioustheatre.org.