Mani Yangilmau, Sydney Lo, Debora Crabbe, Susan Lynskey, Erin Weaver, Sherri L. Edelen, and Awa Sal Secka in Theater J’s production of “Gloria: A Life.” Photo by Ryan Maxwell Photography.
‘”Gloria: A Life” at Theater J takes the audience on a journey through second-wave feminism with feminist icon Gloria Steinem (Susan Lynskey) as guide while she reflects on her youth and early career, her own feminist transformation, and the significant people she met along the way. Written by Tony Award-nominated playwright, Emily Mann, and directed by Helen Hayes Award-winner Holly Twyford, an all-woman/non-binary cast (Debora Crabbe, Sherri L. Edelen, Sydney Lo, Awa Sal Secka, Erin Weaver, Mani Yangilmau), covers multiple roles in this fast-paced unfolding of Gloria’s life and career.
So authentic was her performance that, throughout the evening, I had to remind myself that Susan Lynskey is not in fact Gloria Steinem…
Interactive elements transform the audience into the evening’s co-creators. As people search for their seats, recordings of women’s voices fill the hall with personal reflections on feminism’s influence in their lives, and actors invite attendees (men and women) to contribute handwritten statements to the growing collage covering the theatre’s walls in response to questions projected above the stage. The brief second act is a discussion circle with opportunities for all to share their reactions to the performance.
So authentic was her performance that, throughout the evening, I had to remind myself that Susan Lynskey is not in fact Gloria Steinem—an even more impressive feat because the opening night performance included a surprise appearance by The Gloria Steinem, much to the delight of the packed theatre. Feminist luminary, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, also attended the production, and shared how much Steinem’s activism has inspired her and other women political leaders.
With grace and ease, each of the six supporting actors were continually transforming themselves from one unique character to the next, including Gloria’s male colleagues, fellow activists, and even her mother. Like jewels embedded in the dialogue, some of Steinem’s best-known quotes appear when least expected, such as “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off,” and audience favorite, “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.”
Paige Hathaway’s set design is simple but effective. Multiple screens feature photographs and video of notable moments in the fight for women’s equality, including news footage predicting the failure of Ms. magazine and a recording of Richard Nixon when he thought no one was listening.
Throughout the narrative, Gloria reminds us that she is a “hope-aholic,” and that even in the face of recent setbacks, we should share in her hope, because while the fight for women’s equality is not over, it is unstoppable.
Running time: One hour and 50 minutes with one brief pause.
“Gloria: A Life” runs through April 2, 2023 at Theater J, 1529 16th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20036. For more information or to purchase tickets, you can call 202.777.3210, email theaterj@theaterj.org or go online. Theater J’s Ticket Office is open from 1:00 – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday and one hour prior to performance. All patrons in the Goldman Theater are required to wear masks covering their nose and mouth.
