Rivendell Theatre Extends MARY'S WEDDING Thru March 6

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE) is proud to announce the Chicago premiere of Mary's Wedding has been extended through Saturday, March 6 at the Raven Theatre Complex West Stage, 6157 N. Clark Street.

Stephen Massicotte's story, directed by RTE Ensemble member Mark Ulrich with actors Cassandra Bissell and Shane Kenyon, recounts historical events expressed through a young woman's dream on the eve of her wedding. Tickets are $22 for all performances, Thursday and Friday at 8:30 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and may be purchased at www.rivendelltheatre.net or at 773.334.7728.

Mary's Wedding, produced by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's Artistic Director Tara Mallen, starts as a typical romantic story of young love between a new British immigrant to Canada Mary (Cassandra Bissell) and a "dirty farm boy on a horse" Canadian Charlie (Shane Kenyon). When Mary and Charlie unexpectedly find one another sheltering in a barn during a thunderstorm, a tentative first love is born. However, the year is 1914, and Mary and Charlie must surrender their love and their fate to the uncertainties of a world on the brink of war. Charlie, an expert horseman, volunteers and joins the Canada Calvary. Unfortunately, Charlie becomes a statistic, joining the 60,000 Canadian soldiers (out of ten million combatant fatalities) who perish in the War. Now, Mary unable to let go, begins to live in a world where nothing is as it appears, blurring the line between reality and memories and fact and fantasy.

Mary's Wedding also assembles an all female, all Rivendell, all star production team comprised of artists who are among the "who's who" in the Chicago theater scene including producer Tara Mallen; Jaymi Lee Smith, lighting design; Elvia Moreno, scenic design; Janice Pytel, costume design and Victoria Delorio, sound design.

Mary's Wedding kicks off a yearlong exploration for. Rivendell of war as it is seen from a woman's point of view. During the 2009-2010 season Rivendell will engage artists throughout the city of Chicago, including female veterans, to craft portraits of women in wartime throughout history through a women's lens.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is a professional theatre company committed to cultivating the talents of women theatre artists and to seeking out innovative plays that explore the unique female experience in an intimate, salon environment. During the past fourteen years, Rivendell has grown to fill an important role in the Chicago theatre community as the only Equity Theatre in Chicago committed to producing works about women.

Stephen Massicotte's Mary's Wedding at the West Stage in the Raven Theater Complex, runs through March 6; Thursday and Friday at 8:30 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $22. Discounts available for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased at www.rivendelltheatre.net or at 773.334.7728.

 

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