|
Regional Reviews: Phoenix Gloria Also see Gil's reviews of Treasure Island, Pretty Woman: The Musical, and Six
Set in the offices of a struggling, but previously successful, New York magazine, Gloria follows a group of editorial assistants who are all in their 20s and navigating the petty hierarchies, unspoken resentments, and quiet desperation of entry-level publishing jobs. As they jockey for recognition and the elusive approval of their superiors, while seeking friendship from their peers, tensions simmer beneath polite workplace chatter, and the play takes a shocking turn that ultimately reshapes the trajectory of all of the characters' lives. Without revealing any spoilers, I can say that what follows examines how individuals process trauma while trying to reclaim their lives and others take ownership of an experience which they had very little to do with in order to monetize the situation. Jacobs-Jenkins has established himself as one of the most daring and unique voices in contemporary theatre, known for works that integrate identity, history, and themes that other playwrights may shy away from. A Pulitzer Prize finalist for Gloria, a Tony Award winner for Appropriate, and a Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner for Purpose, Jacobs-Jenkins consistently challenges audiences with layered, often uncomfortable material. Here he tackles themes of workplace toxicity, ethics in media, ambition, and the thin line between empathy and opportunism, all while dissecting how tragedy can be reframed, and even exploited, through the actions of the characters. The ensemble cast brings clarity to each character, and all but one play at least two parts and make each role unique. As Dean, David Stallings evokes a tightly wound man who thinks that any chance of advancement is passing him by, while Jennifer Flaks appears puzzling as the office "freak," Gloria, whose detachment hints at a deeper unrest; Flaks also plays Dean's boss Nan, and her scenes as both characters are incredibly authentic. As the sharp-tongued and eager Kendra, who seems to do very little work, Bianca Leung exudes confidence and ambition, while Audrey Widener is great as Dean and Kendra's less jaded co-worker Ani. Dion Belcher is appropriately quiet and reserved as Miles, the underappreciated intern who evokes an undercurrent of idealism, and Ian Burnett is perfect as Lorin, the overworked and stressed-out fact checker who offers a contrast of realism to the piece; Burnett has a moment toward the end of act two that is quite moving. Richard Powers-Hardt's direction works well to capture the rhythms of office life that Jacobs-Jenkins so effectively has written with overlapping dialogue, awkward pauses, characters who continually forget the names of the people they work with, and subtle power plays. After the play's central tragedy, the shift in tone is handled quite well as we see several of the work relationships fracture and reform under pressure and also witness how some of those relationships weren't actually solid at all. Powers-Hardt's set design, though simple, proves remarkably effective, fluidly transforming to represent three distinct locations. Aaron Blanco's authentic fight choreographer brings a shocking sense of realism to the disturbing event in act one. The small space also draws the audience into the piece, which makes the events that happen quite impactful, since the actors are often only a few feet away. My only quibble is that, even with the small stage, some of the cast could project more in order for all of the dialogue to be heard clearly. Fifth Wall Playhouse's production of Gloria is a gripping, thought-provoking experience that will most likely linger long in your memory after you leave the theater. It's unsettling but also deeply human as it depicts an unflinching look at who we are when everything changes and what we choose to do with the moments we witnessed and the future moments that remain. Gloria runs through March 29, 2026, at Fifth Wall Playhouse, Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 8355 West Peoria Avenue, Peoria AZ. For tickets and information, please visit 5thwallplayhouse.com. Director: Richard Powers-Hardt Cast: |
