Gloria
Awards and Recognition
- 3 ½ stars out of 4 OC Register
- 9.5 out of 10 Orange Curtain Review
- PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST
Reviewer Quotes
“ Whoa, how the creative ambition impresses here! ”
OC Register
“ WOW! a production design that is the Chance at its regional theater best ”
StageSceneLA
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Executive Producers
Linda & Tod White
Associate Producer
Laurie Smits Staude
Executive Season Producers
Bette & Wylie Aitken
Associate Season Producer
The Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
On the Cripe Stage…
Style. Status. Success. A group of twentysomething editorial assistants are pursuing it all at one of New York’s most esteemed cultural magazines. When a seemingly normal day at the office turns out to be anything but, these aspiring journalists recognize an opportunity to seize a career-defining moment. Who has the right to tell whose story? Simultaneously funny and shocking, Gloria is an adrenaline rush of a show as MacArthur “Genius” grant winner Jacobs-Jenkins skewers the cutthroat, opportunistic culture of modern media.
Please be aware: “Gloria” includes violence, intense themes, scenes, events, and sudden loud noises that may be unsettling to some viewers. Click here for more details.
*** FINALIST for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama
“In live theatre, it’s rare for everything to work, from the look to the acting to the script, but this is one of those casts; it just works.”
Orange Curtain Review“The Orange County premiere of ”Gloria‘, the Pulitzer Prize finalist by the exceptionally gifted Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, is a theatrical triumph at Chance Theater.”
FanBoyNation“A dramatic and hilarious journey not to be missed. It’s another amazing staging added to the successful 2024 season of Chance Theater”
GlamgicalIt’s taken almost ten years for Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Gloria to make its Orange County debut, but Chance Theater’s absolutely brilliant OC Premiere of this edgy edge-of-your-seater makes it more than worth the wait.
StageSceneLA“A riveting script written by the thrilling Branden Jacobs-Jenkins… Assembling a smart cast, Director Mazor applies cutting-edge wit to satirize five ruthlessly ambitious editorial assistants.”
The Show Report“Chance’s production of this compelling play is quite exemplary, further enhanced not only by the theater’s small footprint—placing the audience extremely close to the intense action—but also by the excellent work of its ensemble cast.”
BroadwayWorld“Branden Jacob-Jenkins’ ‘Gloria,’ a Pulitzer finalist for Drama—and a must-see for those who enjoy live theater… This razor-sharp comedy-drama is as compelling a play as I’ve seen this year.”
JordanRYoung.com“The play sticks to you long after you’ve left the theater.”
Stage and Cinema“A whip-smart satire! A sharp-toothed comic drama with a whole lot to say”The New York Times
“A shocking, hilarious, and spectacularly honest play” Chicago Tribune
“Provocative, sharply observant and playfully theatrical. This thought-provoking work continues its talented young writer’s winning streak” The Hollywood Reporter
Community Partners
Show artwork designed by KC Wilkerson, kcwdigital.com.
- Violence
- Use of a Prop that Fires
- Suicide
- Strong Language
- Intense Workplace conflict and trauma
- Graphic Discussion of the aftermath of violence
3 Special Events:
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Community Night
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LGBTQIA+ Night
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Wine Night
COMMUNITY NIGHTJoin us before and after the performance for a happy hour and get to know our community partners. Schedule is subject to change. Friday, October 11 starting at 7:00 PM.
WINE NIGHTBack by popular demand, Wine Night features a signature wine for the first 50 patrons in the door. Members and their guests receive priority access. Schedule is subject to change. Friday, October 18 starting at 7:00 PM.
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LGBTQIA+ NIGHTJoin us for our LGBTQIA+ nights, where theater lovers who share an identity can connect over refreshments and conversation before enjoying a performance. Schedule is subject to change. Saturday, October 19 starting at 7:00 PM.
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IN PERFORMANCE
IN REHEARSAL
DESIGN PREVIEW PARTY
Venue Bette Aitken theater arts Center
- Full-Service Bar
- Free Parking
- Conveniently Located
See the show? Share your experience with us...
At a Glance
- Approximate Running Time:
- 2 hours, 10 minutes with intermission
- Special Notes:
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- Post-show discussion after each performance
- Join us for Opening Night as a Gold Member.
- Babes in arms and children under 4 are not permitted.
- 30% off for groups of 10 or more.
- Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performances
- Free, Convenient Parking
Interesting play and really terrific cast
Actors were excellent, story was interesting, dialogue excellent
Excellent material exceptionally well done. Best one I’ve seen so far, since Hedwig. A little of the double casting of before/after was confusing, initially. Loved the acting/directing I’m the first half. Sparkled with great timing and snappy interplay. The second was a bit less so, but I think this was in part a weakness in the material/writing, in truth. Or maybe that was the point–the messy post incident everything.
The actors’ performances were excellent, the set was very good, as was the lighting, sound, and obviously, the Direction. Although I was impressed with all the actors, I believe that Will Martella had the most difficult role, with such a change in the character’s persona. He portrayed the PTSD in Act 2 with believable emotions. I have an active duty Military background and am well aware of the effect PTSD has on an affected person!
It was well written and mostly well acted. The delivery of long rapid-fire monologues was impressive. I really enjoyed our experience. It was our first time in a theater since before COVID and devastating surgery. So we were really happy to be back.
Acting outstanding and thought provoking.
Great acting, very well done
Engaging performance. Contemporary topic.
Excellent performance of an interesting play. Great performance, loved the talk back after the show.
It was shocking, reflective, and ironically resonates with the plight of young professionals. I loved everything. The cast did an amazing job at each of their role. The different staging scenarios were excellent. Even the lighting had such a profound effect. Sorry, I can’t critique anything!
It is a good show!
Intelligent, entertaining, with fully fleshed characters and a clear narrative purpose
Enjoyed all the way around.
The performance was riveting, its messages so poignant for anyone involved in a workplace environment and concerned about the deterioration of personal interactions.
Theater’s opportunity to entertain is basic to its survival, but when combined with its opportunity to educate, the experience becomes invaluable. The great sage Hillel wrote:
“If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
And if I’m only for myself then what am I?
And if not now, when.”
We should strive to treat our family, our friends, and our co-workers with kindness and empathy and realize that people beyond their employment have a life, as complex as ours.
Branden Jacobs -Jenkins in his two hour play is asking us to go home and look in the mirror.
GLORIA is an educational opportunity that shows us what could happen when we fail to be “human.”
The performance was exceptional. The cast did a great job. I thoroughly enjoyed the production. The set and the sound quality was quite impressive. I will be back…even if my son is not performing. 🙂
good show
Great acting, sets, and show! really enjoyed it!
Great writing; staging; exploration of interesting ideas around loneliness, writing, depression, guns, the damage done by being too self involved.. Great gem of a theater. Grateful for it being conveniently located; affordable; producing interesting plays. We have been theater goers for over 50 years in LA and OC. Your productions seem to be getting better and better.
It was interesting, education, and entertaining
A near-Pulitzer with superb, superb acting. What more can you ask for?