Photo by Doug Catiller
Written by Patrick Chavis
Gloria is now playing at Chance Theater from September 27 to October 20, 2024.
Marya Mazor directed Gloria, which is now at the Chance Theater. It is a sharp and witty exploration of the dark side of the publishing industry with an even darker comedic edge.
Story:
In Gloria, we watch three scenarios before, after, and in the future of what happens to a group of people in the publishing industry who go through a traumatic situation. The play explores how trauma can be monetized and its ramifications.
Branden Jacob-Jenkins is the playwright of this piece. What really made this show work for me was how well I was introduced to the four lead characters, especially in the first act.
Miles (Johnathan Middleton) is an intern who’s worked there for months but, like many interns, mostly does busy work. Dean (Will Martella) is a gay, fast-talking assistant with drinking issues. Ani (Emma Laird) is an attractive and nerdy girl who decided to go into magazine publishing for fun but could be doing anything she wanted. Lastly, Kendra, played by Audrey Forman, is a highly ambitious assistant but is constantly causing trouble in the office, not literally but freebasing Starbucks instead of getting work done and twittering of course. The only one who seems to be working is the fact checker Lorin (Erik Scilley), who periodically tells everyone to shut up…