Displaying items by tag: Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago's only professional theater that seeks to advance women through the power of storytelling, announces the cast for the final world premiere of its 30th Anniversary season, Bonnie's Last Flight by Eliza Bent (The Regulars, Karen, I Said), directed by Rivendell Ensemble member Devon de Mayo (The Tasters, Laura and the Sea & Scientific Method). Bonnie's Last Flight runs September 12 – October 17, 2026, as part of Rivendell's 30^th Anniversary Season of new plays. 

The 30^th Anniversary Season takes place at Rivendell's home, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago. Tickets are $28 for previews and $38 for regular performances. Angel and Sponsor tickets are $58 and $88 and include a donation. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and military. Tickets and more information at rivendelltheatre.org/bonnieslastflight or (773) 334-7728.

It's Jan's retirement flight. Everyone knows, except for Greig, Jan's best friend and coworker of many years. As Greig waxes nostalgic, Jan worries about life post-retirement. LeeAnne, a klutzy newbie flight attendant with a dark past, must avoid her ex on the plane while Captain, a waggish pilot with a weakness for Bloody Marys, is caught in a love triangle. Erik, the co-pilot with a heart of gold, can't get a word in edgewise. Presiding over the flight is the OG of travel: Mark Twain.

In a comedy set on everyone's least favorite mode of transit, we must reckon with our crew's dreams and regrets and ask ourselves: What does it take to really start living?

Artistic Director Tara Mallen comments, "The final production in our 30th anniversary season, Bonnie's Last Flight, is exactly the kind of groundbreaking new work we champion at Rivendell. Eliza Bent's quirky comedy helmed by longtime ensemble member Devon de Mayo features an extraordinary cast anchored by four of Rivendell's most gifted ensemble members and joined by the multi-talented actor, playwright and Tony Award-winning producer Paul Oakley Stovall. We are delighted to introduce Eliza's fresh and singular voice to Chicago audiences and share this wonderfully offbeat play that reminds us that it's never too late to chart a new course."

This world premiere production of Bonnie's Last Flight features ensemble members Rebecca Spence, Eric Slater, Jessica Ervin, and Glenn Obrero, with Paul Oakley Stovall.

Rivendell's 30th Anniversary Season is sponsored by Sharon I. Furiya.

FACTS / Bonnie's Last Flight

Bonnie's Last Flight

A world premiere by Eliza Bent

Directed by Devon de Mayo

September 12 – October 17, 2026

Creative Team: RTE members Regina García (Scenic Design) and Tanya Palmer (Dramaturg) with Saawan Tiwari (Costume Design), Garrett Bell (Lighting Design), and Satya Chávez (Sound Design). The Production Stage Manager is Anna Vu and Mia Maccarella is Asst. Stage Manager.

Dates:

Previews: September 12-19, 2026

Saturday, September 12 at 8pm

Sunday, September 13 at 3 pm

Thursday, September 18 at 8pm

Friday, September 19 at 8pm

Saturday, September 19 at 8pm

Gala Opening: Sunday, September 20 at 6pm

Regular Run: September 24 – October  17, 2026

Thursday-Saturday at 8pm; Saturday at 4pm

Added Sunday Matinees: September 13 & October 11 at 3pm

Industry Performance: Monday, September 28 at 8pm

Open Captioned performances:

Saturday October 10 at 4pm

Saturday October 17 at 4pm

About the Artists

Eliza Bent (Playwright) is the love-grandchild of Lily Tomlin, Pee Wee Herman, and Mr. Peanut. Bentertainments include plays (The Regulars), solo pieces (Karen, I Said, which the New York Times described as a "wicked satire"), adaptations, and hybrid affairs. Bent's works have been developed, workshopped, and produced at the Abrons Arts Center, JACK, the New Ohio, the Atlantic Theatre, the Bushwick Starr and New York Theatre Workshop's Next Door Series. Residencies: MacDowell, SPACE on Ryder Farm, New Georges, Target Margin Institute Fellow, Goodman Theatre Playwrights Unit. Bent's short film Summer's Last Swim was an official selection for Downtown LA's 2023 Film festival and a Chicago Filmmakers Best LGBTQ+. As a performer Bent has toured internationally with the Obie-award winning ensemble Half Straddle and Bent's stand-up special Penguin in Your Ear has bowed at the Brick in Brooklyn, the Elysian in LA, Crashbox in LA, Color Club in Chicago and Benson Theatre in Omaha, NE. A perennial guest of the Great Plains Theatre Commons, Bent has a BA in philosophy from Boston College and MFA in playwriting from Brooklyn College. Currently on faculty at Northwestern University's Radio TV & Film department.

Devon de Mayo (Director) is thrilled to be back at Rivendell where she has been an ensemble member since 2019 and has directed The Tasters, Laura and the Sea & The Scientific Method at Rivendell. Most recently, she directed Untitled Vampire Play at Lookingglass Theater. Directing credits include: The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Gift Theatre); In Every Generation, If I Forget (Victory Gardens); First Love is the Revolution (Steep Theatre); Women Laughing Alone With Salad (Theatre Wit); The Burn (Steppenwolf Theatre); Harvey (Court Theatre); Sycamore (Raven Theatre); You on the Moors Now (The Hypocrites); Animals Out of Paper (Shattered Globe Theatre); You Can't Take it With You, and Lost in Yonkers (Northlight Theatre); Everything is Illuminated and Compulsion (Next); Roadkill Confidential, The Whole World is Watching, As Told by the Vivian Girls and The Twins Would Like to Say (Dog & Pony). Devon served as Resident Director on Prima Facie and The Audience (both on Broadway). She co-wrote and co-directed Guerra: A Clown Play, a collaboration with Mexico City-based artists La Piara (performances in New York, Chicago, Albuquerque, Mexico City and Bogota). Devon is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Performance in TAPS at the University of Chicago.

Jessica Ervin is an ensemble member at Rivendell where she originated the role of Annie in Rivendell's Jeff Award-winning production of Motherhouse. Other credits with Rivendell include: No Such Thing, Dry Land (Jeff Nomination – Actress in a Principal Role), I Wanna F*cking Tear You Apart, The Firebirds Take the Field, and understudying Pivot, Scientific Method, Alias Grace, and the tour of Women at War. Jessica's other theatrical work includes roles with Goodman, Audible's Minetta Lane (New York), Strawdog, A Red Orchid, Walkabout, Kalliope and Co., and Prop Thtr. On-screen, she has appeared on Chicago Fire (NBC), and in the films Regret Like That, Princess Cyd, Provo, Lucid, and Late Bloomer, in addition to other shorts and a commercial for CDW NetApp. Jessica is a graduate of The School at Steppenwolf and Ball State University. She is proud to be represented by the Actor's Talent Group. www.jessicaervin.com

Glenn Obrero is a member and Casting Associate of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble. Rivendell: Scientific Method, Wipeout, and Pivot. He was recently seen in The Targeted at A Red Orchid Theatre. Select Chicago Theater credits: The Great Leap (Steppenwolf Theatre), 20K Leagues Under The Seas (Lookingglass Theatre), The Chinese Lady (Timeline Theatre), Ironbound (Raven Theatre), and A Tale of Two Cities (Shattered Globe Theatre). Regional Theatre: Peninsula Players Theatre, Kitchen Theatre, and Asolo Repertory Theatre. Film: When Cats Fly (Wonderphil Ent), InIt2WinIt (Gnarly Naldo) and Wheelhouse (Protea). TV: Chicago Fire (NBC) and Next (FOX). Ensemble: Griffin Theatre. Representation: Gray Talent Group.

Eric Slater has been a member of the Rivendell Ensemble since 2005 and has worked on more than fifteen projects in that time including The Tasters, Cal In Camo, Alias Grace and Rasheeda Speaking. Slater was also the associate director of Pivot earlier this season. Some other Chicago credits include: Inherit the Wind, The Cherry Orchard, This Happened Once At The Romance Depot Off i-87 in Westchester, Support Group For Men, Smokefall, Feathers And Teeth (Goodman); The Doppelganger (an international farce) (Steppenwolf); Tiny Beautiful Things, Hand To God (Victory Gardens); Small Jokes About Monsters (16th Street). Off-Broadway: Juvenal Players (The Kitchen); The Dudley's: A Family Game! (Theatre for a New City); Our Greatest Year (Kraine & The Brick); Original cast of Gloryana (Workshop Production, The Public Theatre & The York Theater). Film: Regret Like That, In The Flood, You Don't Belong Here, Widows, The Try Out. TV:"Monster: The Ed Gein Story", "Emperor of Ocean Park", "Fargo", "Chicago Fire". This Spring he directed the critically acclaimed Spaceman by Leegrid Stevens with [producingbody]. Slater has also written and directed his first short film, Moon Thief, currently in post-production.

Rebecca Spence is a Rivendell ensemble member and was last seen on their stage in The Firebirds Take the Field. Other RTE credits: How the World Began, WRENS and These Shining Lives. Additional theatrical credits include work with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Lookingglass, TimeLine Theatre Company, Windy City Playhouse and Theatre Wit. Film credits include: Candyman, Heist 88, Princess Cyd, Man of Steel, Contagion, The Dilemma, Public Enemies, Grace is Gone and The Break-Up. She may be seen currently as Liliana Weeks in the new Taylor Sheridan series The Madison (Paramount+), and in recurring roles in Dark Matter (AppleTV+); Mr. Throwback (NBC); Power Book IV: FORCE (Starz); 61st Street (CW) and Paper Girls (Amazon Prime). Other television roles include: Lady in the Lake, The Big Leap, Utopia, Empire, Easy, Boss, Crisis, Chicago Fire, Betrayal, The Mob Doctor, Detroit 1-8-7, The Chicago Code, The Beast and Prison Break.

Paul Oakley Stovall makes his Rivendell debut! Paul is an accomplished theatre practitioner, winning his first Tony Award as a producer of A Strange Loop and performing the role of George Washington in the 1st national tour of Hamilton for over 4 years. He has also toured with Rent and Once On This Island and has performed regionally across the US and in Japan. He is a four-time Jeff nominee for his work in his hometown of Chicago as an actor, director and playwright. His film/tv appearances include Shameless (SHO), Chicago Fire (NBC), Empire (FOX), and the late Robert Altman's The Company, and his afro-futurism sci fi web series Tulsa can be seen on Amazon Prime. His play Immediate Family has been directed across the country by the legend Phylicia Rashad, and his co-adaptation of James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room which he also directed, garnered rave reviews, including making the New York Times best of theatre list in 2025. Paul was a proud advance associate lead and media logistics coordinator, traveling to over 15 countries for the two terms of forever First Lady Michelle Obama. He served as Executive Producer and Creative Director of the inaugural Juneteenth UnityFest, and of the 2024 NAACP Legal Defense Fund Annual Gala.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's 30^th Anniversary Season

It's Women's Work. And for 30 years, it has been our work.

Rivendell is celebrating three decades of groundbreaking, women-centered storytelling with three world premiere plays that embody its legacy of centering women's voices, sparking crucial dialogues and advocating for women. This season is both a celebration of Rivendell's award-winning past and an invitation to experience the bold narratives shaping the future. The 30^th season launched in February with a fully sold-out run of the world premiere of Alex Lubisher's Pivot directed by longtime ensemble member, Hallie Gordon. It was followed up with the  world premiere of Melissa Ross' Do Something Pretty, marking ensemble member Katherine Mallen Kupferer's Rivendell debut. The 2026 season concludes with this hilarious and offbeat new play Bonnie's Last Flight by Eliza Bent.

The 30th anniversary marks a pivotal moment for Rivendell — a time to celebrate all we've built and invest in what's next. This campaign fuels the next chapter of our work as a leader in new play development for women playwrights and a vital platform for emerging and established artists. As Chicago's only women-focused Equity storefront theatre, Rivendell has produced 57 acclaimed works, earned 16 Joseph Jefferson Awards and over forty nominations, and serves more than 250 artists and 4,000 audience members each year through partnerships, performances, and community engagement.  To learn more about our 30th Anniversary Season Campaign and how you can play a part, email Artistic Director Tara Mallen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Shubert Foundation; Bayless Family Foundation; Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; Illinois Arts Council Agency; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Wintrust and Sara and the 2 C Dogs. Community support by: Amazing Edibles, Revolution Brewing and Tablescapes.

Raven Theatre, under the director of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry, announces its 44^th season, to include Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop, directed by Mikael Burke in a co-production with About Face Theatre; Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, directed by Raven Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry; and Sharyn Rothstein's Tell Me I'm Not Crazy, directed by Georgette Verdin in a co-production with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble.

"With this season, we take what has always been essential about The Raven – plays that reach both back and forward to connect us to our cultural landscape – and expand it to include more voices, to take more risks, to be more in conversation with our current moment and to connect with our community, comments Jonathan Berry. "In Michael Jackson's boundary pushing, Pulitzer Prize winning musical A Strange Loop a young, black, queer playwright takes a perilous, ultimately beautiful journey of self- discovery. A poet returns to his family and a heartrending moment of decision in Tennessee William's stunning memory play, The Glass Menagerie. Tell Me I'm Not Crazy is Sharyn Rothstein's poignant, comedy about how one family struggles to feel in control during chaotically divisive times."

Subscriptions to the three-play season start at $120 are currently on sale at raventheatre.com. Subscribers receive priority season, and save up to $50 off regular tickets prices, plus discounts on      tickets for family and friends, 10% off concessions, and 20% off tickets to Raven Theatre's Resident Company The Story Theatre

The 2026-2027 season is:

The 2022 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical
and the 2020 Pulitzer Prize Winner
A STRANGE LOOP
by Michael R. Jackson
directed by Mikael Burke
in a co-production with About Face Theatre
October 8-November 8, 2026
Opening: October 14, 2026

Usher is a Black, queer playwright who spends his days working as an usher on Broadway. He spends his nights struggling to write an original musical about a Black, queer playwright who spends his days working as an usher on Broadway. Lines blur, thoughts intrude, and soon he finds himself wrestling to break free from a very strange creative loop.

This blistering, groundbreaking, Pulitzer Prize winning musical explores identity, race and sexuality through the lens of a young artist at war with a chorus of his own demons and inner voices on a journey towards understanding and self love.

Tennessee Williams' memory play directed by Raven's new Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
by Tennessee Williams
directed by Jonathan Berry
February 11-March 21, 2027
Opening: February 17, 2027

As America struggles through the Great Depression and the world stands on the brink of a second World War, a young man tries to dream of a future beyond the stifling confines of his day to day existence.

Tom Wingfield dreams of adventure while his mother Amanda desperately yearns for a secure future for her two children. Sister Laura retreats into the fragile confines of her glass menagerie. A long hoped for arrival of a gentleman caller sends the family hurtling towards either salvation or despair.

After 30 years, Tennessee Willams groundbreaking, autobiographical masterpiece returns to the Raven Stage in a bold new production.

From the playwright of Raven's hit production Right to be Forgotten
TELL ME I'M NOT CRAZY
by Sharyn Rothstein
directed by Georgette Verdin
in a co-production with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
April 30-June 13, 2027
Opening: May 12, 2027

Life can be overwhelming at any stage – kids to raise, in-laws to deal with, work-life to balance. In an age of shifting gender dynamics and rising cost of living, it can be a struggle to feel in control. But for recent retiree Sol Koening, a neighborhood crime wave proves to be the final straw. He buys a gun, joins a shooting range and sends his loving family running for cover.

As barbed jokes fly and tempers flare, the once-close family threatens to break apart in this hilarious comedy about two generations struggling to find common ground in an America at odds with itself.

This production is a Chicago premiere from the playwright of Raven's smash hit Right to be Forgotten.

ABOUT RAVEN THEATRE COMPANY

Raven Theatre tells stories of today and the past that connect us to our cultural landscape. Raven's commitment to modern drama in all of its forms, as well as its first-class education programming, have helped it remain a cultural cornerstone on the north side of Chicago for 40 years and counting.

For 44 years, Raven Theatre has been the home to revivals of modern dramas and thought-provoking new works to the Northside Chicago community, as well as theatrical education to the children and schools in the surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in 1983, Raven moved into its current home in 2002 with its 85-seat Johnson Stage and its 56-seat Schwartz Stage.

Subscription Series – Raven offers three productions in its subscription series, all in the East Stage, focusing on revivals of works primarily from the late 19th century to the present and including both Chicago and World Premieres.

Educational Programming – Raven provides teaching artists to neighborhood schools for in-school theatrical residencies, a field trip program for elementary school students, and a robust children's theatrical summer camp program.

With efforts in the community, in neighborhood schools, and on the stage, Raven plays an important part in the city's cultural landscape.

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.

Something Clean, directed by Lauren Shouse, gives us a compelling story, very well acted, and with that touch of magic that comes from a great chemistry in the performers.

The script (by Selina Fillinger) is notable for the way it depicts real human beings who develop and change in the course of the action. Fillinger is an actor, and it shows in the dynamic, truly living characters she places onstage.

It is a story for our times, and tells of three people whose lives have been impacted by a sexual assault. One, whom we meet later in the action, is Joey (Patrick Agada), a tall, strapping, charming, perpetually upbeat counselor at a downtown assault crisis center. 

But first we meet Charlotte (Mary Cross) and Doug (Guy Massey) whose 19-year-old son Kai was involved in an assault. Gradually we learn that he was not a victim (we never meet him), but was the perpetrator. Until Kai was convicted and imprisoned, his parents lived humdrum lives, pretty much on autopilot socially and domestically. Now, they visit their son in jail each week, and their angst festers and threatens their relationship. They are unsuccessful finding couples counseling, with Doug rejecting therapists weekly after a single visit.

As we get to know these two, we sense they are estranged from each other, physically aloof, and alienated from their social circle by the shame of their son’s crime. Charlotte cleans compulsively, and Doug buries himself in his work.

Eventually, Charlotte volunteers at the sexual assault crisis center – and her process of healing commences when she meets Joey. Agada’s performance is deft, and striking. His effusive personality (he is Joey with a "Y" because "I like to end my name with a smile!") makes these two seem an unlikely pair, but they develop a completely convincing bond that seems to draw energy from their work together as actors – informing their portrayals as emotionally connected workers at the center. This relationship and performances are what sustains Something Clean. It is hard to imagine it working without this level of excellence in the roles of Charlotte and Joey. 

Under Joey's nurturance, Charlotte emerges from her protective shell to become a sweet, charming and vulnerable woman. Charlotte’s emotional recovery contributes to Doug’s healing as well – something we see in real life when one person’s therapy ends up addressing their partner’s problems, too. The neutral gray set (Arnel Sanciano) is noteworthy, as is one of the props (which are byJonathan Berg-Einhorn): a book by Jennifer Weiner, I think it was Who Do You Love, a tale that mirrors the emotional dynamics of this show. 

I have to admit I sometimes approach Rivendell Theatre Ensemble’s productions with trepidation that I will end up being more edified than entertained. Something Clean does both, and in no small part because of Mary Cross ‘s great performance – she has her craft nailed, and watching her crawl out of her shell is a delight. Produced in partnership with Sideshow Theatre, (it received funding from The Eliabeth Cheney Foundation) which commissioned the work, Something Clean played to acclaim after premiering at New York’s Roundabout Theatre last month. It runs through July 21 at Victory Gardens Theater (the old Biograph Theater building).