×
×
homepage logo
SUBSCRIBE

Good Company Theatre’s ‘Gloria’ examines the ambitions of a group of writers

By Mark Saal standard-Examiner - | Mar 13, 2019
1 / 4

Cast members rehearse for "Gloria," running through March 24 at Good Company Theatre in Ogden.

2 / 4

Cast members rehearse for "Gloria," running through March 24 at Good Company Theatre in Ogden.

3 / 4

Cast members rehearse for "Gloria," running through March 24 at Good Company Theatre in Ogden.

4 / 4

Cast members rehearse for "Gloria," running through March 24 at Good Company Theatre in Ogden.

OGDEN — Just how far will a group of aspiring writers go to achieve success?

Find out in “Gloria,” the latest Good Company Theatre offering by Obie Award-winning playwright Brenden Jacobs-Jenkins. The biting dramatic comedy plays through March 24 at Good Company Theatre, 2404 Wall. Ave.

The poster for the GCT production reads: “Embrace ambition. Screw circumstances.”

Set in the offices of a magazine publishing company in New York City, “Gloria” tells the story of a group of editorial assistants as they jockey for status and stories, bemoan the state of print media, and take pointed jabs at one another. Meanwhile, no one notices that something is very wrong with one of their colleagues.

“It’s more of a contemporary piece,” said theater co-founder and show director Alicia Washington said. “You follow these six individuals as they work in this office-place environment, peeling back the layers to see how far they’re willing to go to claw their way to the top.”

“Gloria” made its debut Off-Broadway in 2015 and was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Washington warns that the play contains continuous adult language, along with one scene of graphic violence, and it’s not recommended for audiences under age 15.

“One crucial event happens in the middle of one work day where it does have — as we put on our warning — we do use a prop firearm on stage, with loud noises,” Washington said. “We want to be careful to give enough advisement of that without giving away too much of the show.”

Washington said the crucial issue in “Gloria” is how we take someone else’s tragedy and try to monopolize it for our own benefit.

The cast included Sahna Foley, Avery Franklin, Brandon Garside, Jesse Nepivoda, Lara Vo and Cassidy Wixon.

About every other year, Washington will either direct a show or be in the cast. She’s glad she gets to direct this one.

“This is my second time directing this playwright, and I just love his work,” she said.

The last time Washington directed a Jacobs-Jenkins piece was two years ago — the highly charged family drama “Appropriate.” That play dealt with a family coming to grips with their father’s history and involvement with the Ku Klux Klan, according to Washington.

“Brenden Jacobs-Jenkins has this unapologetically frank, creative way of investigating these topics that consume our social media feeds and news headlines,” she said. “And he throws in issues of access and equity, and things like what white privilege is. He’s a fearless contemporary playwright, and I’m enamored with him.”

Shows continue at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through March 24. Additionally, 4 p.m. matinees will be offered March 16-17. The 8 p.m. March 23 performance will be offered in American Sign Language.

Tickets are $20, at www.goodcotheatre.com, 801-917-4969, or at the door. Washington encourages folks to give the theater a try.

“I love the fact that we’re situated here in Ogden,” she said. “So if you’re looking for something contemporary and off-the-grid, come take a look.”

WHAT: “Gloria,” the workplace dramatic comedy by Brenden Jacobs-Jenkins

WHEN: Various times through March 24

WHERE: Good Company Theatre, 2404 Wall Ave., Ogden

TICKETS: $20, www.goodcotheatre.com, 801-917-4969, or at the door

Newsletter

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)