In the gripping world of Gloria, the apparent superfluous relationships at a Manhattan magazine office reveal the deep existential crisis of the employees, and in one particular case, the disturbing mental issues of one of the lifers at the company.
Dean (Will Martella) shows up to work late with a hangover, telling Ani (Emma Laird) about the pathetic house warming party organized the night before by Gloria (Branda Lock), who just bought an apartment after working for years at the company. Only four people showed up to the party, a testament of how detached and lonely her life has become.
Minutes later, Kendra (Audrey Forman) arrives at the office, also late, but with a glamourous flair and an outfit that seems ready to take the catwalk by storm. She engages in a heated argument with Dean about the inexorable march of time and the dreadful possibility of becoming a lifer at the office. The argument is loud, so loud that Lorin (Erik Scilley), a fact-checker, comes in and tells them to tone it down, as he is trying to concentrate on the article about the life of a singer who just died of an overdose.
The fact that Lorin also experiences a mental and emotional meltdown due to the exhaustion and miserability of a fact-checker position tells us that life at the office as editorial assistants seems more like a dead-end street, with no more free coffee, by the way. All of this mayhem unravels while Miles (Johnathan Middleton), the new intern, sits at his desk pretending to have his headphones on. He is mainly used to bringing snacks to everyone.
Act I ends with a surprise. Act II is all about life after the event that ended Act I. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins‘ phenomenal script is based on his own experience working at The New Yorker magazine. Jacobs-Jenkins explores what happens when the idealistic hopes of new grads meet the realities of a structured job and the cut-throat culture of a demanding industry such as journalism. The exciting expectation of a book deal as a successful writer becomes nothing else but a broken dream due to the stealing of ideas in a world where the person in power gets to own the story. The text has humor, drama, and a great deal of real-world experience that makes it relatable to the audience.
Director Marya Mazor translates the text into action brilliantly. Her extraordinary work with the actors is evident. The cast deliver a fascinating performance. The meltdowns and the physical comedy are all well-choreographed and executed, with the actors moving around in a visually accurate office and coffee shop set, an indication of Mazor’s extraordinary attention to detail. Equally stunning is Mazor’s choice of costumes, particularly for Kendra, whose outfits reflect her ambitious inclinations.
It is refreshing to see upcoming actors for this production. Audrey Forman, a USC graduate, has an imposing presence on stage, delivering her lines fluently and getting into character with confidence. The same for the rest of the actors, each one nailing the script and movements, creating a dynamic presentation to depict the frustrations and hopelessness of the characters, with an engaging sense of comedy. Branda Lock, Emma Laird, Will Martella, and Johnathan Middleton play multiple roles.
The cast and the production team’s dedication take the audience to a dramatic and hilarious journey not to be missed. It’s another amazing staging added to the successful 2024 season of Chance Theater.
Gloria
Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage
5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807
September 27- October 20, 2024
Fridays at 7 p.m. (only Sep 29) and 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. & Sundays at 3 p.m.
Tickets: chancetheater.com
Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Directed by Marya Mazor. Linda & Tod White, Executive Producers. Bette & Wylie Aitken, Executive Season Producers. Laurie Smits Staude, Associate Producer. Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar, Associate Season Producers.
Cast: Branda Lock as Gloria/Nan. Emma Laird as Ani/Sasha/Callie. Audrey Forman as Kendra. Will Martella as Dean/Devin. Johnathan Middleton as Miles/Shawn/Rashaad. Erik Scilley as Lorin.
Creative team: Christopher Scott Murillo, Scenic Designer. Adriana Lámbarri, Costume Designer. Andrea Heilman, Lighting Designer. Jordan Jones, Stage Manager. Jocelyn L. Buckner. Martin Noyes, Fight Director.
