Rivendell Announces 2012 - 2013 Season, Beginning With WRENS

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's Artistic Director Tara Mallen announces the first production in its 2012-2013 Season dedicated to the theme "reinvention" is WRENS, by Anne McGravie and directed by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's co-founder Karen Kessler, September 6 – October 13, at Rivendell's new performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge.  Previews are $15 and run Thursday, Sept. 6 – Saturday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. There is a Gala Performance Sunday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. and opening/press night is Monday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. The regular performance tickets are $30 with the schedule Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now; call 773.334.7728 or visit www.RivendellTheatre.org.

Rivendell burst onto the off-Loop scene in 1996 with its groundbreaking world premiere production of Anne McGravie's WRENS, which earned three Joseph Jefferson awards and secured Rivendell's status as "a major force on the Chicago fringe" (Chicago Tribune). This season, RTE co-founder Karen Kessler returns to direct an all new cast featuring Ensemble members Ashley Neal, Mary Cross, and Rebecca Spence with Meg Warner, Jodi Kingsley, Amanda Powell, and Katrina Kuntz. McGravie's moving semi-autobiographical examination of loyalty, morality and duty during World War II centers on a group of young Women's Royal Navy Servicewomen packed together in a tiny barrack on the eve of VE Day. With humor and wisdom, McGravie shines a light on the complex emotions of these women as they are confronted with the bittersweet prospect of peace at last and the impending loss of their newfound wartime independence.

 The all-female production team includes Joanna Iwanicka (set), Diane Fairchild (lights), Christine Pascual (costumes), Kate Hopgood (sound), Stephanie Hurovitz (production stage manager), and Jen Seleznow (production manager).