Benefit set for March 31 at winery for ‘Shakespeare in the Orchard'

Warwick - The Illustrious Theatre Company will hold its annual gala Saturday, March 31, to supports this summer’s “Shakespeare in the Orchard” production at the Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery. This year’s theme, “A Broadway Revel” will feature members of the company performing a repertoire of Broadway favorites throughout the evening. A Renaissance buffet will be presented by Pané Café & Bakery, the new restaurant at the Warwick Valley Winery. The final highlight of the evening will be a silent auction featuring items, services and adventures donated by local merchants. All proceeds from the evening will support this summer production of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” which will be performed July 13-29 on weekend evenings on the outdoor stage at the winery. The company also will honor George Laurence of Warwick for his dedication to the arts in the community. Laurence is the owner of Eclectic Eye Antiques on Railroad Avenue and Who’s On First, an art gallery on First Street in Warwick. Author and playwright Ira Levin is once again the evening’s honorary chair person, and is joined this year Warwick business owners including Stephanie Faerman of Sweetbriars, Jenna Field of Jenna & Company, Thomas Fitzgerald of Provident Bank, Patricia Flynn of La Petite Cuisine, Mike Fodor of Pocket Aces, Marie Kosen of The Pear Tree, Brooke Martis-Sarmiento of B. Page & Company, Maura Peddle of BINK and Leo Rukiqi of Zana D. The winery is located at 114 Little York Road in the Pine Island section of Warwick. The Revel will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased by phone by calling the winery at 845-258-4858, or by picking up an invitation at one of the Railroad Avenue merchants. The Illustrious Theatre Company is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt corporation; donations are deductible to the extent permitted by law. For additional information about the Revel or about the company, call 973-764-4936.