The Human Race Theatre Company is continuing its 2019-2020 “Women of Influence Season” with the Dayton premiere of Gloria: A Life, a new play celebrating the life and legacy of one of the most important figures of America’s feminist movement.
Fifty years after Gloria Steinem began raising her voice and advocating for others, her vision is as urgent today as ever. Described simply as “History. Her Story. Our Story,” Gloria: A Life is a richly detailed tapestry that’s both inspiring and remarkable.
The Cast. photo by Heather N. Powell
Written by Tony Award-nominee playwright Emily Mann, Gloria: A Life opened Off-Broadway in 2018 to critical acclaim. Kappy Kilburn, Executive Director of The Human Race Theatre Company, played an instrumental role in bringing Gloria’s story to the stage in New York City, and now to Dayton, Ohio. The Human Race Theatre’s production will mark the first performances of Gloria: A Life beyond its original creative team.
“It was a privilege to be a part of the journey to the world premiere of Gloria: A Life as I packed up to leave NYC for Dayton,” said Kilburn. “And through that relationship, it is now my honor to present it here, at The Human Race Theatre Company, and continue the powerful conversation this play elicits.”
Gloria believes in the necessity of conversation as a catalyst for change, and the powerful play offers us all a path forward in a way that only live theatre can provide. This regional premiere features a dynamic all-female cast, led by Jennifer Johansen as Gloria Steinem and directed by Marya Spring Cordes.
“When we work together, anything is possible,” said Cordes. “While a good deal has changed for the better, every worthwhile fight is three steps forward and one step back. We are still fighting for a good deal of the same gender and civil rights issues all these years later.”
“Gloria: A Life humanizes and contextualizes the iconic history of Gloria’s life, shining as an example of how rewarding and challenging it can be to lead a fully human, active life,” she added.
The entire community is invited to join The Human Race Theatre in celebrating this award-winning journalist, social political activist, and nationally recognized leader of the American feminist movement and Toledo, Ohio native.
GLORIA: A LIFE is rated PG-15. Parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under the age of 15.
Biographies on the cast and creative team can be found on The Human Race Theatre Company’s website under GLORIA: A LIFE.
They Pay What You Can Preview is Wed, Feb 26th, Opening night is Friday, February 28.
Tickets for GLORIA: A LIFE start at $14. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Student tickets are available at 50% off regular adult prices and a student I.D. must be presented when picking up at the Box Office. The Sunday, March 1 7:00 p.m. performance is “Sawbuck Sunday,” when any available seat can be purchased in person for just $10 at the Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.
All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center’s Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Show times for GLORIA: A LIFE are 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Performances on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings begin at 7:00 p.m., and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday matinees.
Tickets and performance information for GLORIA: A LIFE are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.
