***** There are several definitions for the word “pivot”, one of them has to do with farming ( it is a form of irrigation), but most of us think of this word as being able to do a complete turn-around ” to pivot”. In Alex Lubischer’s “Pivot” having its World Premiere on the stage at Rivendell Theatre ( to celebrate their being around for 30 years) both of these definitions are a part of the story. For those of you who know the storefront theater located just down the street from Senn High School  at 5779 N. Ridge, they have transformed it to make this particular play make you feel that you are part of the 90 minutes of marvelous storytelling.

Smoothly directed by Hallie Gordon, who uses every inch of the limited floor space available in this intimate space, our story is about a young couple who are in love and about to be married.  Kara ( an incredible performance by Ashley Neal) is the bride to be. As we learn during the early scenes, she is a sort of “loner” who has moved to this Nebraska farm town, where as a waitress she met Levi van Acren,(deftly played by David Stobbe) a farmer, and they fell in love.

They are planning for their soon to be nuptials when Levi meets with an accident, ending his life and hurting his best man Doug’s ( Glenn Obrero) eye. Levi’s parents, George ( the always reliable Keith Kupferer) and Anne ( Tara Mallen) are caught between emotions as they now must plan for a funeral instead of a wedding, while Kara feels that the funeral can be a celebration for Levi and the reception that they had planned, can serve as the reception for the funeral over the wedding. She is not giving up her hopes and dreams.

The play, although only 90 minutes is divided into two acts, allowing the cast to prepare for the wake and funeral/reception. The scenes are quick and while some are quite serious, there are others that are comical, allowing the audience to feel the emotions of what it might feel like to have all your dreams squashed in an instant. Kara’s whole future was reliant on the life she was about to have with the love of her life, and while she has no family to speak of, she has sort of adopted Levi’s family as her own, and in fact, is, or was, hopeful that she would be able to have the father/daughter dance with George at the wedding.

The “wake” scene is unique in that we, the audience are the “guests” as we hear Kara talk about what has happened to her dreams and life, as well as Doug “coming out” and proclaiming that he also “loved” Levi. During this scene we also feel the inner feelings of George and Anne about the entire situation. There are a few additional characters in the story that are well  played by Stobbe. One is a priest who is doing the funeral and the other is a waiter that makes for what appears to be a somewhat happy ending for Doug, and just so you know, there is a surprise ending that  may just bring a tear to your eye, so bring a tissue ( or two).

The set (Jackie Penrod) is simple, but accomplishes its goal. Some of the audience members are seated at tables on the stage, and audience members line the walls of the theater, making us feel that we are part of the production. Janice Pytel’s costumes are perfect, and the sound (Joyce Ciesil) and lighting (Diane Fairchild) work perfectly. The props ( Em Allen) are many, and with the exception of a few candles seemed pretty real to me. FYI- there is a scene where everything is tossed about and done where not one audience member was hit with any of the flying objects.

Rivendell Ensemble has a slogan, “It’s Women’s Work” , and they live up to it in both spirit and works.

“Pivot” will continue Thru – Mar 21st with performances as follows: