Incest, murder, necrophilia ย howยs that for a little winter pick-me-up? Leave it to Ira Levin, author of the sinister Rosemaryยs Baby and the pins-and-needles–producing Deathtrap, to take the genre of psychological thriller to a whole new level. In Veronicaยs Room, Susan is out on a date with a young lawyer. They meet a slightly odd elderly couple. The seemingly gentle old souls tell Susan sheยs a dead ringer for Veronica, an invalid who died while in their care in the 1930s. They still look after Veronicaยs crazy, now elderly, sister, whoยs on her deathbed. The two ask Susan to dress up like Veronica, circa 1935, and provide some solace for the dead womanยs sister. After some prodding, Susan agrees; she promptly ends up dressed in the dead womanยs clothes. Then the fun really starts. In the end, Susan learns what every young woman needs to know ย donยt go home with anyone who asks you to pretend to be a dead girl! 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Theatre Southwest, 8944-A Clarkcrest. For information, call 713-661-9505 or visit www.theatresouthwest.org. $13 to $15.
Mon., Dec. 31; Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 13, 3 p.m. Starts: Dec. 31. Continues through Jan. 26, 2007
This article appears in Jan 3-9, 2008.