Chicago's Rivendell Theatre Ensemble continues to celebrate its 30th Anniversary season with the World Premiere co-production of Keiko Green's GORGEOUS, directed by Kirsten Fitzgerald. The co-production with Raven Theatre runs May 1 - June 7, 2025, at Raven, 6157 N. Clark St. The press opening is Wednesday, May 7, at 7:30pm. The season includes Rivendell's current production of No Such Thing, in a world premiere production by Lisa Dillman, directed by Malkia Stampley. Rivendell continues devising work on the Folded Map Project, Tonika Johnson's groundbreaking work that addresses segregation in Chicago with core artists for a summer writing workshop. Rivendell will also host Tonika's photography in its theatre lobby throughout 2025.
About GORGEOUS
Gorgeous, written by Keiko Green and directed by Kirsten Fitzgerald, features Stephanie Shum (Jenny) and Rivendell Theatre Artistic Director Tara Mallen (Bernie). The creative team includes: Mara Ishihara Zinky (Scenic Designer), Paloma Locsin (Props Designer), Maegan Pate (Costume Designer), Seojung Jang (Lighting Designer), Connor Wang (Sound Designer), Caroline Uy (Dramaturg), and JC Widman (Stage Manager).
Jenny has a simple life; she takes care of the elderly and shows dogs professionally. When her just-a-little-bit-older boyfriend Bill dies suddenly, all Jenny wants is to get rid of his stuff and continue to show his champion Bulldog, GORGEOUS. Enter Bernie, a tornado of a woman. Amid the boxes of things that made up Bill's life, Jenny and Bernie must find a way forward for themselves and the dog.
Tickets are on sale at www.raventheatre.com.
Rivendell Artistic Director Tara Mallen comments, "We are thrilled to be bringing Keiko Green's fresh and unapologetic voice to Chicago with this co-production between Raven and Rivendell. With Rivendell's continued commitment to amplifying women's voices and Raven's history of championing and producing new work, our combined efforts make for a production that gets at the heart of this world premiere comedy. It has been an absolute delight to share resources with the wonderful artists at Raven and it has served as a great reminder that the truly the best way forward is through collaboration and community."
FACTS:
Dates: May 1 - June 7, 2025
Press Opening: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Schedule: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.
Running Time: approximately 90 minutes with no intermission
Location: Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago
Tickets: General Admission: $45; Previews $30 (May 1-4).
Discounts for students, seniors, military, and groups of 6 or more, are available.
Pay-What-You-Can Performances: Saturday, May 3, Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 23
Box Office: www.raventheatre.com
ABOUT No Such Thing
The world premiere of No Such Thing by Rivendell Ensemble Member Lisa Dillman and directed by Malkia Stampley continues through April 27, 2025. Tickets are now available at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago, (773) 334-7728 or www.RivendellTheatre.org.
Ren was once a sought-after screenwriter. Now in late middle age, her career foundering, she finds herself at a crossroads of social and professional invisibility. Seeking the intimacy that's been missing from her friendly but sexless marriage without capsizing the rest of her life, she begins an intricately constructed affair that blends sex and storytelling. Fact and fiction collide.
No Such Thing looks at the question of what makes a life story and charts the unpredictable changes to that story in a society that tends to downsize women out of some of their most productive years.
The cast of No Such Thing includes RTE member Jessica Ervin (Olivia) with Susan Gosdick (Ren), Matt DeCaro (Ted), Cheryl Hamada (Marilyn) and Josh Odor (Fallon).
The creative team includes Lauren Nichols (Scenic Design), Evelyn Danner (Costume Design), Madeleine Reid (Lighting Design), Ethan Korvne (Sound Design), Lonnae Hickman (Props Designer), Shannon Golden (Production Manager), Kristi Martens (Stage Manager) and Autumn Dancy (Assistant Stage Manager).
Tara Mallen says, "No Such Thing is the absolute embodiment of Rivendell's 30 years of excellence – a new play developed through our Fresh Produce developmental series, featuring contributions from a cadre of genius artists, with a resonant story told from an all too often invisible perspective – a woman over sixty. We are delighted to offer Chicago yet another provocative and surprising work penned by our longtime ensemble member, Lisa Dillman, and cannot imagine a better way to kick off our thirtieth anniversary season!"
Title: No Such Thing
Written by: RTE member Lisa Dillman
Directed by: Malkia Stampley
Featuring: RTE member Jessica Ervin (Olivia) with Susan Gosdick (Ren), Matt DeCaro (Ted), Cheryl Hamada (Marilyn) and Josh Odor (Fallon).
Creative Team: Lauren Nichols (Scenic Design), Evelyn Danner (Costume Design), Madeleine Reid (Lighting Design), Ethan Korvne (Sound Design), Lonnae Hickman (Props Designer), Kristi Martens* (Stage Manager) and Autumn Dancy (Assistant Stage Manager).
Production Sponsor: Michael Litt
Dates: through April 27, 2025
Schedule: Thursdays at 8:00pm; Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 4:00pm and 8:00pm
Special added performances include: Monday, April 21 at 8:00pm (Industry Night); Sunday, April 27 at 3:00pm (Closing)
Tickets: $39 General Admission
$17 Student, Educators, Military/Veterans, Industry (Limited quantity, first-come, first-served); $28 Seniors; $49 Sponsor Admission (to help us pay artists fair wages by covering the full cost of a seat at the performance); $94 Angel Admission (1 Basic Admission, plus helping to cover discounted or free tickets to people who need them
Membership / Subscription: RIV Pass: $95 (see Rivendell productions and other events as often as desired)
Box Office: (773) 334-7728 or www.RivendellTheatre.org
ABOUT RIVENDELL THEATRE ENSEMBLE
Since 1994, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble has advanced the lives of women through theatre. Rivendell cultivates the talents of women artists—writers, actors, directors, designers and technicians—by seeking out innovative plays that explore unique female experiences and producing them in an intimate salon environment.
Rivendell employs women theatre artists, offers mind-expanding experiences with new voices and perspectives, and sparks dialogue and action on critical issues in the lives of women and their communities.
In our 30-year history, Rivendell has earned 12 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nearly four dozen nominations. We are recognized as a national force in new play development and a home for women theatre artists. We engage about 200 artists and 3,000+ audience members each year through our mainstage season and new work development.
For more information about Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, visit http://rivendelltheatre.org. Follow Rivendell on Facebook at Facebook.com/rivendelltheatre and on Instagram at @rivendelltheatre.
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is supported by generous grants from: SIF Fund at The Chicago Community Trust; TERRA Foundation for American Art, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Shubert Foundation; Illinois Arts Council Agency; Bayless Family Foundation; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; Sarah and the 2 C Dogs and Amazing Edibles.
ABOUT RAVEN THEATRE COMPANY
Raven Theatre tells stories of today and the past that connect us to our cultural landscape. Through its plays, as well as its educational programming, Raven is committed to serving our communities' needs through the arts. Raven Theatre Company is funded in part by The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, JCCC Foundation, Paul M. Angell Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation, S&C Electric Company Fund, and The Shubert Foundation. This project is partially supported by a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. This programming is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For more information visit www.raventheatre.com.
