Tara Mallen News

The Jeff Awards celebrated their 50th anniversary on Monday, October 22,2018 during a spirited and nostalgic ceremony at Drury Lane Oakbrook.

The nominations have been announced for the 2018 Equity Joseph Jefferson ('Jeff') Awards.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core will add four performances to the run The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Lauren Shouse, and featuring RTE Founders Tara Mallen and Keith Kupferer, RTE Member Krystel McNeil, with Tuckie White.  Eight performances have been added to the run, which must close June 2, 2018 at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago. 

The best desserts are made with delicious layers that include some surprising flavors. They make you want another piece and to know how they were made. That's how it is with Bekah Brunstetter's THE CAKE now running at Rivendell Theatre. Each scene of this wonderful work is filled with bites that are both bitter and sweet. And you definitely want more than just one slice.

Jen lives in New York but has always dreamed of getting married in her small North Carolina hometown, so she heads down south with her partner to ask Della, her late mother's best friend, to do the honors of making the wedding cake at her bakery. Della's cakes are legendary,­ even earning her a spot as a contestant on the 'Great American Baking Show.'

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the Midwest premiere of The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Lauren Shouse, and featuring RTE Founders Tara Mallen and Keith Kupferer, RTE Member Krystel McNeil, with Tuckie White.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble proudly announces its 2018 Season, "The Reckoning." The season includes three plays about women who come face to face with an essential truth that threatens to shatter the things they love most. The 2018 Season will be performed at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the Midwest premiere of Cal in Camo by RTE member William Francis Hoffman and directed by RTE member Hallie Gordon. Cal in Camo runs January 5 February 17, 2018, at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago. The press opening is Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 7:00pm.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, in association with Brian Nitzkin, announces the extension of the world premiere production of Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood, adapted for the stage by Jennifer Blackmer, and directed by RTE Co-Founder Karen Kessler.

It's been 25 years since molecular neuroscientist Avery Kahn left Highland Falls, NY. But when 18 local girls, cheerleaders mostly, are stricken with a mysterious ailment, Avery reluctantly returns home to tackle what the locals derisively call the "girl disease." As Avery becomes affected-and infected-by the girls, the case becomes more personal than she ever expected. Based on actual events, Firebirds is a fascinating and often hilarious investigation of how women in particular are impacted by the pressures of growing up. 

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the world premiere of The Firebirds Take the Field by Lynn Rosen and directed by Jessica Fisch. The Firebirds Take the Fieldruns April 15 - May 20, 2017, at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.The Firebirds Take the Field is produced with support from the Alfred P. Sloane Foundation and Ensemble Studio Theater and is the second production of RTE's 2017 Season 'Exploring the Mind/Body Connection.'

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the world premiere of Winter by Julie Jensen. The production, co-directed by RTE members Megan Carney and Mark Ulrich,runs January 7 - February 11, 2017, at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.  The press opening is Monday, January 16, 2017 at 7:00pm.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the world premiere of Winter by Julie Jensen. The production, co-directed by RTE members Megan Carney and Mark Ulrich,runs January 7 - February 11, 2017, at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.  The press opening is Monday, January 16, 2017 at 7:00pm.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble announces its 2017 Season, 'The Mind/Body Connection.' The season includes three new plays linked under this mind/body connection and told from distinctly female perspectives. These bold works explore how we separate our primal, instinctive physical beings from our intellectual and emotional selves. The season will be performed at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.

Set in an Alaskan cabin where Deb, a divorced suburban mom is attempting to reinvent herself as a righteous, liberal avenger is Grizzly Mama -- the final production of Rivendell's 2016 season 'The Body Politic' in which the political is deeply personal. Deb is fresh from the funeral for her recently deceased, famous activist mother. Her daughter, Hannah, is a typical texting teenager - that is, until she discovers the real reason why mom moved them next door to a certain Alaskan presidential candidate. A dark comedy about motherhood, murder and moose.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the Midwest premiere of Grizzly Mama by George Brant. The production, directed by RTE member Megan Carney, runs September 8 - October 15, 2016, at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.  The press opening is Monday, September 12 at 7:00pm.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the midwest premiere of Dry Land by Ruby Rae Spiegel. The production, directed by RTE member Hallie Gordon, runs April 22 - May 28, 2016, at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago. The press opening is Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 7:00pm.

A frequent collaborator with playwright Lynn Nottage, Whoriskey has directed a slew of premieres and revivals around the country.

The new drama SWEAT by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Ruined; By The Way, Meet Vera Stark) comes toArena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater following a critically-acclaimed debut at Oregon Shakespeare Festival as part of a co-commission between the two theaters. The play is directed by Nottage's longtime collaboratorKate Whoriskey and runs January 15-February 21, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater. Check out photos from opening night below!

Playwright Lynn Nottage notches another feather in her cap of outstanding work.