Gloria (play)

Gloria
2015 Off-Broadway premiere poster
Written byBranden Jacobs-Jenkins
CharactersGloria
Dean
Kendra
Miles
Ani
Lorin
Premiere
DateMay 28, 2015 (2015-05-28)
PlaceVineyard Theatre, New York City

Gloria is a dramatic comedy written by playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins focusing on the lives of working Americans and dynamics in the workplace. The play made its debut Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in May 2015, after being developed by the same theatre.[1] It was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.[2]

Plot

The play follows the ambitious assistants at a high-end Manhattan magazine. When no one attends the housewarming party for colleague Gloria, she begins feeling increasingly isolated from her co-workers, eventually shooting several managers at the office, leaving her colleagues with fear, confusion and survivor's guilt.[3][4]

Production history

2015 Off-Broadway premiere

Gloria premiered Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre on May 28, 2015 in preview, officially on June 17, directed by Evan Cabnet. [5] The artistic directors were Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern, and the executive producer was Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell. Set design was created by Takeshi Kata, costumes were designed by Ilona Somogyi, lighting was designed by Marr Frey, and the sound was designed by Matt Tierney.[6][7] The play closed on July 18, 2015.[8] A developmental workshop was held by the Vineyard Theatre in January 2013.[9]

2017 West End production

The play made its United Kingdom premiere in 2017 at London's Hampstead Theatre, running from June 15 to July 29, 2017. Directed by Michael Longhurst, the production starred Sian Clifford as Gloria/Nan, Colin Morgan as Dean/Devin, Bayo Gbadamosi as Miles/Others, Ellie Kendrick as Ani/Others, Kae Alexander as Kendra/Others, and Bo Poraj as Lorin.[10][11] The production was nominated for a 2018 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play.[12]

2018 Melbourne production

Gloria received its Australian premiere at the Melbourne Theatre Company's Southbank Theatre, opening on June 21, 2018, after six previews. The play starred Lisa McCune as Gloria/Nan, Jordan Fraser-Trumble as Dean/Devin, Jane Harber as Ani/Others, Aileen Huynh as Kendra/Jenna, Callan Colley as Miles/Others and Peter Paltos as Lorin.[13] The production was praised by Witness Performance as "careful and detailed" and "a slick and realised production."[14]

2019 Sydney production

It then enjoyed critical acclaim and a multi-extended season in Sydney, opening on June 6, 2019. The cast included Justin Amankwah, Annabel Harte, Reza Momenzada, Michelle Ny, Georgina Symes, and Rowan Witt, along with direction by Alexander Berlage.[15][16][17]

2027 Broadway production

Second Stage Theater announced on June 3, 2026 that they will be producing the play's Broadway premiere as part of their 2026-2027 season. Their production will once again be directed by Cabnet, and will begin performances at the Hayes Theater on March 17, 2027 ahead of an April 5 opening.[18][19][20]

Additional productions

The Goodman Theatre produced the play, running from January 14, 2017 to February 19, 2017, directed by Evan Cabnet.[21] In 2018, The Gamm Theatre of Warwick, Rhode Island produced Gloria, with performances running from November 21, 2018 through December 16, 2018.[22] Gloria was also performed by BA Acting students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland from May 12, 2022 to May 14, 2022, directed by Monique Touko.[23]

Cast

Characters Original Off-Broadway Cast[24] 2017 Hampstead Theatre Cast[25] 2018 Melbourne Cast[26] 2019 Sydney Cast[27]
Dean, Devin Ryan Spahn Colin Morgan Jordan Fraser-Trumble Rowan Witt
Kendra, Jenna Jennifer Kim Kae Alexander Aileen Huynh Michelle Ny
Ani, Sasha, Callie Catherine Combs Ellie Kendrick Jane Harber Annabel Harte
Gloria, Nan Jeanine Serralles Sian Clifford Lisa McCune Georgina Symes
Miles, Shawn, Rashaad Kyle Beltran Bayo Gbadamosi Callan Colley Justin Amankwah
Lorin Michael Crane Bo Poraj Peter Paltos Reza Momenzada

Reviews

The New York Times pointed out how "whip-smart satire of fear and loathing in a beleaguered industry under siege," and, "the cannibal culture cycles that grip and warp Americans’ attention these days,"[28] are portrayed in the play. The "New York Theater" review also credits the play with "providing more illumination into the characters, and raising some intriguing questions, such as the ugliness of artistic ambition, the ways we individually and as a society process trauma, the exploitation and corruption inherent in our commercial culture."[29] The Hollywood Reporter also recognizes Jacob-Jenkins himself, as he "handles his serious themes in a thoughtful, provocative manner."[30]

Awards and nominations

2015 Off-Broadway production

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Nominated [31]
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Jeanine Seralles Nominated [32]
Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Play Nominated [33]
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Jeanine Seralles Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Play Nominated [34]
Outstanding Director of a Play Evan Cabnet Nominated
Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated [35]

Original London production

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2017 Critics’ Circle Theatre Award Most Promising Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Won [36]
2018 WhatsOnStage Awards Best New Play Nominated [37]

References

  1. ↑ "Gloria | Productions | Vineyard Theatre". Vineyard Theatre. August 15, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  2. ↑ "'Hamilton' Wins 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama". American Theatre. April 18, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Gloria is a fast-moving, sardonic take on workplace culture with a bang". Camden People's Theatre. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Gloria: The Tyranny of Form". Witness Performance. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  5. ↑ Clement, Olivia. " 'In the Heights' and 'Fortress of Solitude' Star Heads Cast of 'Gloria', Opening Tonight" PLaybill, June 17, 2015
  6. ↑ Jacobs-Jenkins, Branden (2015). Gloria. New York: Dramatists Play Service Inc. ISBN 978-0-8222-3433-3.
  7. ↑ Gloria lortel.org, retrieved February 14, 2017
  8. ↑ Gioia, Michael. "Last Chance: What's Closing This Week" Playbill, July 15, 2015
  9. ↑ Jones, Kenneth. "Vineyard Plans New-Play Readings and "Reunion" Presentations of Hits 'The Dying Gaul', 'Pterodactyls' and More" Playbill, September 14, 2012
  10. ↑ "Gloria". Hampstead Theatre. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Gloria full cast announced". Hampstead Theatre. May 12, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Winners of the 18th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards announced". WhatsOnStage. February 25, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Gloria".
  14. ↑ "Gloria: The Tyranny of Form". Witness Performance. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  15. ↑ Shand, John (June 11, 2019). "Smart satire applies blowtorch to office politics". Sydney Morning Herald.
  16. ↑ Gill, Lali (July 9, 2019). "Gloria is an outstanding piece".
  17. ↑ Blake, Jason (June 9, 2019). "GLITTERS WITH MALEVOLENT HUMOUR".
  18. ↑ Taylor, Derrick Bryson (June 3, 2026). "'The Fantasticks' and 'Gloria' Will Head to Broadway This Season". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Second Stage Theater To Present 'Gloria' and 'The Fantasticks'". Deadline. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Gay 'Fantasticks' and BJJ's 'Gloria' Coming to Broadway With Second Stage". TheaterMania. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Gloria | Goodman Theatre". www.goodmantheatre.org. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  22. ↑ Wild, Stephi. "Gamm Theatre Presents GLORIA". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Gloria". Box Office. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Gloria | Productions | Vineyard Theatre". Vineyard Theatre. August 15, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Gloria full cast announced". Hampstead Theatre. May 12, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Gloria".
  27. ↑ Shand, John (June 11, 2019). "Smart satire applies blowtorch to office politics". Sydney Morning Herald.
  28. ↑ Brantley, Ben (June 17, 2015). "Review: 'Gloria,' at the Vineyard Theater, Looks at a Toxic Workplace". The New York Times. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  29. ↑ Jonathan, Mandell (June 17, 2015). "Gloria Review: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Play Of Warped Ambition and Trauma". New York Theater. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  30. ↑ Scheck, Frank (June 17, 2015). "'Gloria': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  31. ↑ Tom Millward (April 19, 2016). "Hamilton wins the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama". New York Theatre Guide.
  32. ↑ Fierberg, Ruthie (June 5, 2016). "Drama Desk Awards Name Shuffle Along Best Musical". Playbill.
  33. ↑ Tom Millward (October 19, 2017). "The 2016 Lucille Lortel Awards – And the Winners Are..." New York Theatre Guide.
  34. ↑ Cox, Gordon (April 19, 2016). "Outer Critics Circle Nominations: 'American Psycho,' 'She Loves Me' Take the Lead (FULL LIST)". Variety. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  35. ↑ Cox, Gordon (April 20, 2016). "Drama League Awards Nominations: Jessica Lange, Lupita Nyong'o, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Lots More (FULL LIST)". Variety. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  36. ↑ "2017 Results | Critics' Circle Theatre Awards". January 31, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Winners of the 18th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards announced". WhatsOnStage. February 25, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
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