Rivendell to Stage EAT YOUR HEART OUT, 5/22-6/27

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE) Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, and Artistic Director Tara Mallen are proud to announce the Chicago premiere of Courtney Baron's Eat Your Heart Out, directed by Hallie Gordon, May 22 - June 28 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. Previews are Thursday, May 22 - Saturday, May 24 at 8 p.m., and Wednesday, May 28 - Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m. Press Opening is Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m. with Opening Night Sunday and Board reception, June 1 at 6 p.m. The performance schedule is Wednesday - Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. The running time is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are $20 for previews, $30 for all other performances and may be purchased online at www.RivendellTheatre.org or by phone, 773.334.7728.

Eat Your Heart Out, the hit of the 2012 Humana Festival of New Plays, intertwines the stories of six people and delves into the complexities of family, body image and hearts and minds consumed by longing. Alice (Mary Cross*) and Gabe (Michael Szeles) are desperate to adopt a child and create a family. Single mom Nance(Katherine Keberlein) is eager to connect with her overweight teenage daughter Evie (Anne Joy). Evie is trying to get her geeky best friend (Andrew Goetten) to like her as much as she likes him. Woven through these stories is Nance's attempt to find love on Match.com with Tom (Charlie Strater) as all six characters dance around their own loneliness.

"Rivendell is excited to share Courtney Baron's newest play with Chicago audiences. Having seen Eat Your Heart Out at the 2012 Humana Festival, I was struck by how it was at once hilarious, heartbreaking and absolutely recognizable. There could not be a better fit for Rivendell's season of new works that "stir the pot" and dare to tread, with a healthy dose of humor, on some really uncomfortable terrain. We are equally thrilled as it is our first time collaborating with Hallie Gordon, a director I have known and admired for the past nineteen years. " said Mallen.

The production team includes Pat Fries*, associate producer; Hannah Baker Bramson, assistant stage manger; Rigel Nunez, technical director; Regina Garcia*, scenic designer; Diane Fairchild*, lighting director, Victoria "Toy" DeIorio*, sound designer; Christine Pascual, costumer designer; and Lucy Schuh, assistant production designer.

*Connotes Rivendell Theatre Ensemble member