Latest news with #Rivendell
Chicago Tribune
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Review: ‘Gorgeous' by Raven and Rivendell Theatres begins with the love between pets and people
The bond between a beloved pet and its human is a powerful thing. Animals can draw a person out of depression, provide a sense of purpose and comfort a lonely heart — and when relationships fall apart, the question of pet custody can be as painful as any other aspect of breaking up. These emotions and more are triggered by the English bulldog that gives her name to 'Gorgeous,' a new play by Keiko Green now onstage at Raven Theatre in a co-production with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble. Kirsten Fitzgerald directs the world premiere of Green's dramedy about an unlikely friendship, which has its touching moments, even if some of the narrative turns and tonal shifts feel rather sudden or far-fetched. In this two-hander, Stephanie Shum plays Jenny, a young Japanese American woman who works as a certified nursing assistant and is mourning the recent death of her partner Bill, an older man who was her patient before the two formed a relationship. As she sorts through old belongings in Bill's suburban Georgia home, which he has left to her, Jenny is startled by a middle-aged woman appearing in her garage. Bernie, played by Rivendell artistic director Tara Mallen, turns out to be Bill's estranged wife, and she has returned to lay claim to the house. After threatening legal action, she offers Jenny an alternative option: keep the house but hand over Gorgeous, who used to belong to both Bernie and Bill. The problem? Jenny is deeply attached to the bulldog, having trained and exhibited her in dog shows, where Gorgeous has established herself as a prize-winning competitor with a promising future. Mallen's character is a blunt, irreverent woman with a thick Southern accent, a tendency toward microaggressions and a talent for manipulation. She also delivers most of the play's best one-liners. During Bill's funeral, Bernie arrives late wearing oversized sunglasses and conspicuously sits in the front row during Jenny's moving eulogy, after which she crashes the stage to hurl expletives at her husband's corpse. Her explosive personality and underhand tactics constantly antagonize Jenny, a down-to-earth woman who's more or less content staying in her small hometown despite often being treated like an outsider. Over a series of confrontations between the two women, secrets emerge about Bill's past that make Jenny question the man she thought she knew, while Bernie's bitterness becomes more understandable. Domestic abuse and anti-Asian racism are two of the heavier subjects addressed in the show, which takes some dark turns — especially with one startling visual created by scenic designer Mara Ishihara Zinky and props designer Paloma Locsin. After so much tension, Green's resolution feels somewhat too convenient. I also have mixed feelings about the real dog who steals the final scenes; she's an adorable crowd pleaser, but her presence distracts from the actors' delivery of some key dialogue. All in all, though, 'Gorgeous' is worth seeing for its vividly rendered characters and its thoughtful exploration of grief, loneliness and the complicated legacy of one man for the women who survive 'Gorgeous' (3 stars) When: Through June 7 Where: Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Tickets: $45 at
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
LEGO's incredible Rivendell set is 15% off in new Amazon Spring Day Deal
LEGO's incredible Lord of the Rings set of Rivendell is now 15% off in a new Amazon deal as part of its Spring Deal Days. The huge set is now available for £365.49, saving you more than £60 off the original retail price of £429.99. The 6,167-piece Rivendell set is a must-have for Lord of the Rings fans as it's recreated the iconic elven location in superb detail. The set features a number of key locations within Rivendell, including the Council Ring, Frodo Baggins' bedroom, Elrond's study, an elven tower, as well as a gazebo, bridge and river. Also part of the set – which was launched earlier this year – are 15 minifigures, including hobbits Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Merriadoc 'Merry' Brandybuck and Peregrin 'Pippin' Took, as well as Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, Aragorn, Elrond, Arwen and Bilbo Baggins, alongside additional elves and a dwarf.£365.49 at Buy LEGO's Rivendell set There are a number of items too, including Bilbo's sword Sting, the broken shards of Narsil, Aragorn's ranger sword, Boromir's sword, and numerous dwarven axes and elvish blades. "We know many of our fans have been anticipating a set like this for a long-time – but a great LEGO The Lord of the Rings set is never late, it arrives precisely when it means to!" said LEGO design master Mike Psaiki. "It was important to us that we created something really special in this recreation of Rivendell. "We aimed to add as much detail as possible and create an engaging experience throughout the build to delight fans recreating scenes or proudly displaying Elrond's home. We are really pleased with the final design and how we have brought Rivendell to life in brick form." Related: If Rivendell isn't your Lord of the Rings location of choice, Amazon also has a deal on the epic Barad-dûr set which sees it available for its lowest-ever price of £339.99. And if you just can't get enough of Middle-earth in your home, LEGO has also now announced a Shire set which will be released next week on April 5. at at Pandora at at at at at Apple at at at You Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
