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Gloria Steinem, Christine Lahti, and More Celebrate Gloria: A Life

The new play about Steinem’s career opens off-Broadway.

Gloria: A Life, a new play exploring the work of activist Gloria Steinem, celebrated its opening night at the Daryl Roth Theatre on October 18. Academy Award winner Christine Lahti takes on the title role.

Emily Mann, Diane Paulus, Christine Lahti, Gloria Steinem, and Daryl Roth celebrate the opening of Gloria: A Life.
Emily Mann, Diane Paulus, Christine Lahti, Gloria Steinem, and Daryl Roth celebrate the opening of Gloria: A Life.
(© Walter McBride)

Written by Emily Mann and directed by Diane Paulus, the play will also features DeLanna Studi as Wilma Mankiller and others, Patrena Murray as Florynce Kennedy and others, Joanna Glushak as Bella Abzug and others, with other roles to be played by Liz Wisan, Francesca Fernandez McKenzie, Fedna Jacquet, and Brittany K. Allen. The production has scenic design by Amy Rubin, costume design by Jessica Jahn, lighting design by Jeanette Yew, sound design by Robert Kaplowitz and Andrea Allmond, and projection design by Elaine J. McCarthy.

The Gloria: A Life family: Francesca Fernandez McKenzie, Fedna Jacquet, Diane Paulus, Joanna Glushak, Patrena Murray (front row); Emily Mann, Christine Lahti, Gloria Steinem, DeLanna Studi, Daryl Roth, and Liz Wisan (second row).
The Gloria: A Life family. Front row: Francesca Fernandez McKenzie, Fedna Jacquet, Diane Paulus, Joanna Glushak, Patrena Murray. Back row: Emily Mann, Christine Lahti, Gloria Steinem, DeLanna Studi, Daryl Roth, and Liz Wisan.
(© Walter McBride)

Gloria: A Life weaves together personal and history-changing moments of the past 50 years, from consciousness among a few women, to the majority tipping point of national and global consciousness that we are now witnessing. Starting with Gloria's early adventures as a rare female reporter, the revelations of the play include stories of the people who inspired her and led her to inspire others. Act 1 focuses on her personal life and activism, and Act 2 is a Talking Circle in which the audience will be invited to carry the themes of the play into a conversation of their own.

Gloria Steinem (center) with Jordan Roth and Daryl Roth.
Gloria Steinem (center) with Jordan Roth and Daryl Roth.
(© Walter McBride)

The producers are Daryl Roth, Jenna Segal, Elizabeth Armstrong, Sally Horchow, Janet Kagan, and Alix Ritchie.