''Gloria'' is a dramatic comedy written by playwright

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (born 1984) is an American playwright. His play ''Purpose'' won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, for which his works '' Gloria'' and '' Everybody'' were finalists in 2016 and 2018, respectively. His play '' Appropriate'' ...

focusing on the lives of working Americans and dynamics in the workplace. The play made its debut

Off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...

at the

Vineyard Theatre The Vineyard Theatre is a 120-seat Off-Broadway non-profit theatre company, located at 108 East 15th Street in Manhattan, New York City, near Union Square. Founded in 1981 by Barbara Zinn Krieger, the Vineyard states that its goal is "to give ...

in May 2015, after being developed by the same theatre. It was a finalist for the 2016

Pulitzer Prize for Drama The Pulitzer Prize for Drama is one of the seven American Pulitzer Prizes that are annually awarded for Letters, Drama, and Music. It is one of the original Pulitzers, for the program was inaugurated in 1917 with seven prizes, four of which were a ...

Production history

''Gloria'' premiered

at the

on May 28, 2015 in preview, officially on June 17, directed by Evan Cabnet. 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. The play closed on July 18, 2015. A developmental workshop was held by the Vineyard Theatre in January 2013. The

Goodman Theatre Goodman Theatre is a professional theater company located in Chicago's Loop. A major part of the Chicago theatre scene, it is the city's oldest currently active nonprofit theater organization. Part of its present theater complex occupies the ...

produced the play, running from January 14, 2017 to February 19, 2017, directed by Evan Cabnet. In 2018, The Gamm Theatre of Warwick, Rhode Island produced ''Gloria,'' with performances running from November 21, 2018 through December 16, 2018. The play was performed at London's

Hampstead Theatre Hampstead Theatre is a theatre in South Hampstead, in the London Borough of Camden. It specialises in commissioning and producing new writing, supporting and developing the work of new writers. History The original ''Hampstead Theatre Clu ...

June 15 to July 29, 2017. ''Gloria'' received its Australian premiere at the

Melbourne Theatre Company The Melbourne Theatre Company is a theatre company based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1953 as the Union Theatre Repertory Company at the Union Theatre at the University of Melbourne, it is the oldest professional theatre com ...

Southbank Theatre Southbank Theatre is a performing arts The performing arts are arts such as music, dance, and drama which are performed for an audience. They are different from the visual arts, which involve the use of paint, canvas or various materials to ...

, opening on June 21, 2018, after six previews. It then enjoyed critical acclaim and a multi-extended season in Sydney, opening on June 6, 2019. ''Gloria'' was performed by BA Acting students at the

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (), formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama () is a conservatoire of dance, drama, music, production, and film in Glasgow, Scotland. It is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools. Founde ...

from May 12, 2022 to May 14, 2022, directed by Monique Touko.

Cast

Reviews

The ''

New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' 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," 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." ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' also recognizes Jacob-Jenkins himself, as he "handles his serious themes in a thoughtful, provocative manner."

Awards and nominations

''Gloria'' was a finalist for the 2016

. The play received nominations for:''Gloria''
lortel.org, retrieved February 14, 2017 *2016

Lucille Lortel Awards The Lucille Lortel Awards recognize excellence in New York Off-Broadway theatre. The Awards are named for Lucille Lortel, an actress and theater producer, and have been awarded since 1986. They are produced by the League of Off-Broadway Theatres ...

**Outstanding Play **Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Jeanine Serralles *2016 Drama League Awards, Outstanding Production Of A Broadway Or Off-Broadway Play *2016

Drama Desk Awards The Drama Desk Awards are among the most esteemed honors in New York theater, recognizing outstanding achievements across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway productions within the same categories. The awards are considered a signific ...

, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Jeanine Seralles *2016

Outer Critics Circle The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on Broadway and Off-Broadway. They are presented by the Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of New York theater writers for out-of-town news ...

**Outstanding Director of a Play (The Lucille Lortel Award), Evan Cabnet **Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play

Original London production

References

{{reflist 2015 plays Comedy-drama plays American plays Plays set in New York City