Two-time Academy Award nominee Mary McDonnell has been cast in the title role of Gloria Steinem in Emily' Mann's Gloria: A Life, the opening production in McCarter Theatre Center's 2019-2020 Theater Series.
A richly-detailed tapestry about one of the most inspiring and remarkable women of our time, the McCarter production features a dynamic all-female cast led by
Mary McDonnell. The play premiered earlier this year with an acclaimed Off-Broadway run produced by
Daryl Roth. The original direction by Tony Award®-winner
Diane Paulus will be restaged by McCarter's Artistic Director and Resident Playwright
Emily Mann.
Ms. McDonnell commented "I am honored to be given the opportunity to represent the great
Gloria Steinem onstage. This production is a gift, and I encourage anyone interested in experiencing this work to bring their daughters, their sisters, their mothers, their sons, their husbands, their friends to join us as we tell this story together."
Making her McCarter debut, Ms. McDonnell has enjoyed a celebrated career across a variety of notable film and television projects including Dances with Wolves (Oscar and Golden Globe nomination), Passion Fish (Oscar and Golden Globe nomination), Independence Day, Major Crimes (Emmy nomination), Battlestar Galactica, ER (Emmy nomination), and Hulu's Veronica Mars. Her stage career has included many projects with
Emily Mann including Mann's Still Life (Obie Award), and the Broadway production of Execution of Justice.
Director and playwright
Emily Mann added "Gloria: A Life explores how we move forward together as a community. We have gathered an amazing cast for this production, including my dear friend and collaborator, the legendary actress,
Mary McDonnell. Her take on
Gloria Steinem will be nothing short of a revelation for McCarter audiences. I cannot wait to be back in a rehearsal room with her."
Gloria Steinem first raised her voice five decades ago, championing equality for all. Today, her vision is more urgent than ever. The first act is Gloria's story; the second is our own, as a "talking circle" emerges and the audience joins in conversation to share personal experiences. McCarter's Berlind Theatre will be transformed into a unique in-the-round for the production.
Joining Ms. McDonnell will be a dynamic ensemble of performers including
Gabrielle Beckford (McCarter's 2018 revival of
Regina Taylor's Crowns),Mierka Gierten (A Red Orchid Theatre's production of Simpatico at McCarter), Sera-Lys McArthur (Outlander on STARZ),
Patrena Murray (original cast of Gloria: A Life),
Brenda Withers (Crimes of the Heart and A Midsummer Night's Dream at McCarter), and
Eunice Wong (
Classic Stage Company's Faust).
Gloria: A Life reunites members of the original production's design team with scenic designer
Amy Rubin, costume designer
Jessica Jahn, sound designers
Robert Kaplowitz and
Andrea Allmond, and projection designer Elaine J. McCarthy. The team is joined by lighting designer
Jason Lyons(Skylight at McCarter). Casting for Gloria: A Life is provided by
Tara Rubin, CSA.
More at mccarter.org.
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