Theater News

Christine Lahti to Play Gloria Steinem in Gloria: A Life

Diane Paulus directs the biographical production, opening this fall.

Christine Lahti will play Gloria Steinem in Gloria: A Life, opening off-Broadway this fall.
Christine Lahti will play Gloria Steinem in Gloria: A Life, opening off-Broadway this fall.
(© Tricia Baron)

Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner Christine Lahti will star as Gloria Steinem in the world premiere of Gloria: A Life, a new play about Steinem as a symbol of past, present and future change. Written by Tony nominee Emily Mann (Having Our Say) and directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus (Waitress), performances are set to begin October 2 in advance of an October 18 opening at the Daryl Roth Theatre.

Lahti has starred on Broadway in God of Carnage, The Heidi Chronicles, Present Laughter with George C. Scott, Division Street, and Loose Ends. She was last seen onstage in Signature Theatre's 2017 off-Broadway production of Suzan-Lori Parks's F*cking A. Her television credits include Chicago Hope, No Place Like Home, Jack & Bobby, Amerika, Out of the Ashes, The Pilot's Wife, Open House, The Book of Ruth, Grace and Frankie, among others.

"Gloria Steinem helped me find feminism, which has been my life jacket, a way to navigate through a world that doesn't treat girls and women like full human beings," said Lahti in a statement. "For over 40 years, she has worked tirelessly to enrich, empower and save women's lives. To be able to play her and tell her remarkable story is one of the greatest thrills and honors of my life, not to mention my career."

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.