Review: 'Pivot' at Rivendell Theatre boasts an experienced cast in a dark Midwestern comedy

Keith Kupferer and Tara Mallen co-star in a new dark comedy about a young couple in Nebraska.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new dark comedy play called 'Pivot' by Chicago playwright Alex Lubischer is being performed at the Rivendell Theatre in Chicago. The play explores themes of loss, grief, and the absurdities of life in rural Midwestern America, with an experienced cast including Keith Kupferer and Tara Mallen. While the writing shows poetic moments and touching scenes, the production struggles at times with overacting in the intimate theater space, leading the reviewer to suggest the play would benefit from a more straightforward, realistic approach to fully capture the comedy in the absurd situations.

Why it matters

The play 'Pivot' provides a rare look at the lives and experiences of people in rural Nebraska, an area not often depicted in theater. It also features acclaimed local actors Keith Kupferer and Tara Mallen, bringing more attention to the talent that can be found performing in intimate Chicago theater spaces.

The details

The play centers around a young couple in Nebraska whose planned wedding is upended when the groom is killed in a farming accident the night before the ceremony. The events that follow explore the difficulties in accepting sudden loss as well as the absurdist aspects of life in the rural Midwest. The strength of the play lies in the poetic language and some touching scenes, particularly those involving the bereaved parents played by Kupferer and Mallen. However, the production struggles at times with overacting that undercuts the realism the reviewer believes the play requires to fully land the comedic elements.

  • The play 'Pivot' is running through March 21, 2026 at the Rivendell Theatre in Chicago.

The players

Keith Kupferer

An acclaimed local actor who co-stars in the play 'Pivot'.

Tara Mallen

An acclaimed local actress who co-stars in the play 'Pivot' alongside her husband, Keith Kupferer.

Katherine Mallen Kupferer

The talented daughter of Keith Kupferer and Tara Mallen, who was in the audience watching her parents perform in 'Pivot'.

Alex Lubischer

The Chicago playwright who wrote the dark comedy play 'Pivot'.

Hallie Gordon

The director who staged the intimate production of 'Pivot' at the Rivendell Theatre.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The reviewer suggests that lengthening Act 2 and spending more time with the character of Kara, the young woman whose wedding was upended, could help strengthen the play's potentially moving ending.

The takeaway

While 'Pivot' features an experienced cast and poetic writing, the production struggles at times with overacting that undercuts the realism needed to fully capture the comedy in the absurd situations. The play provides a rare look at life in rural Nebraska and showcases the talent that can be found in intimate Chicago theater spaces.