“Diane Paulus has staged Emily Mann's wonderful play about the long and influential life of Gloria Steinem to create an experience that's more like having a conversation than watching a play...Christine Lahti not only convincingly inhabits the titular role but is a reasonably convincing Steinem look-alike...Mann's script is stuffed with countless other both humorous and moving defining moments in Steinem's personal and professional life."
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“Mann’s ‘Gloria – a Life’ is as thought-provoking, educational, inspirational, and surprising as is Ms. Steinem herself. Although I occasionally questioned Mann’s style, her subject was so compelling, I was rapt, riveted...Lahti looks so much like Steinem’s younger self they could be twins...The evening unfolds as a series of ‘Aha!’ moments. With the help of six remarkable actors who comprise the ensemble...Gloria tells us about, and takes us through those moments.”
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"A staged biography...Made flesh and bones by the strong and forceful portrayal by Christine Lahti...Powerfully written in celebrity documentary style structure, 'Gloria' is glad to show her flaws and fears as badges of honor and lessons learned...The piece feels extremely relevant and particularly educational...Intellectually invigorated throughout, I sometimes found myself emotionally put-off struggling to find depth within its historic backdrop."
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"Under the astute direction of Diane Paulus, the two-hour multimedia piece fuses docudrama, theatre and talking circle, to review the life of Ms. Steinem...We learn from the past, and when hearing and seeing what this incredible woman has accomplished, we believe and comprehend that one person can make a difference...This is not an ordinary piece of theater but is certainly a relevant dramatic presentation, considering the power of the current Me Too movement."
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“Here, despite the savvy and inventive direction of Diane Paulus and an extremely appealing central performance by Christine Lahti (aided by six excellent ensemble members juggling almost countless roles), that is the case. Indeed, one wishes that Mann had been a little less concerned about hitting all the expected notes, even briefly (Steinem's short ‘undercover’ stint as a Playboy Bunny, the founding of Ms. Magazine, et al.) and given us a bit more of Steinem's mostly untold story.”
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“Lahti…is perfect casting for Steinem…For all its historical interest, and its red-hot relevance to those invested in the ongoing women's movement, ‘Gloria: A Life’ is more a docudrama than a drama, a history lesson about a fascinating, important, still living woman…There are moments of sadness, moments of triumph, and moments of laughter, but little dramatic tension…'Gloria'… is like a sermon to the choir-uplifting, informative, and excellently delivered - but…not entirely lacking in dullness.”
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"A moving, enlightening, and inspiring show...It’s half storytelling, half consciousness-raising — a support group in trying times...The seven members of the cast are storytellers, telling us the stories of Steinem’s life but also as many or more memorable events in the women’s movement that she witnessed...It’s not that 'Gloria' spares us details of what women were (and are) up against. But 'Gloria' has the clear aim of bucking up the audience."
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"Mann’s well-crafted play — which is equal parts biography, history lesson, TED talk and call to action — encourages just the sort of cathartic engagement that was on display with audience members...The show’s real power, though, comes in Steinem’s — and Lahti’s — ability to give voice to the deep-seated feelings of powerlessness and frustration and exploitation that many women feel — and to channel those feelings into meaningful action."
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