Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

The explosive Pulitzer Prize Finalist play GLORIA by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins opens Gloucester Stage’s 43^rd Season featuring a compelling range of diverse, powerful, and unique stories and voices

range of diverse, powerful, and unique stories and voices

GLOUCESTER STAGE COMPANY’s 2022 season is underway with the critically acclaimed Pulitzer Prize finalist play, GLORIA, written by the MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant recipient Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Bryn Boice. The gripping and engrossing play will run through June 26.

This funny, trenchant, and powerful play follows an ambitious group of editorial assistants at one of New York’s most esteemed cultural magazines, each of whom hopes for a starry life of letters and a book deal before they turn thirty. But when a seemingly ordinary day at the office becomes anything but, these aspiring journalists recognize an opportunity to seize a career-defining moment. Deeply pertinent and provocative, GLORIA takes audiences on an unpredictable, unnerving journey to a simple and very human insight.

The award-winning director, educator, actor, and producer Bryn Boiceis making her directorial debut at Gloucester Stage, leading an all-star cast.  GLORIA’s accomplished cast stars Jordan Pearson (Miles/Shawn, Rashaad), Esme Allen (Gloria/Nan) and Teresa Langford (Ani/Sasha/Callie) along with other newcomers to the Gloucester Stage, Michael Wood (Dean/Devin), Ann Dang (Kendra/Jenna) and Mike Broadhurst (Lorin). GLORIA is presented by special arrangements with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

“GLORIA is a witty and disturbing satire that exposes the insidious effects of ostracism,” said Paula Plum, Gloucester Stage Company’s Interim Artistic Director. “The shocking events of GLORIA reveal the danger of designating who are the outliers and outcasts among us. This sharp and insightful social commentary will shock and surprise you.” 

“Jacobs-Jenkins has crafted a time capsule of 2010s office culture that stings in all the right ways as we are coming out of the pandemic. I was drawn to the ferocious wit of the characters and the many shocks of the plot, but also to its examination of how we’re treating each other at work, and how trauma manifests alongside ambition. It’s a heck of a play,” shared Director Bryn Boice.

GLORIA runs through June 26. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm indoors at Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA.Tickets are now on sale and available at GloucesterStage.com.

Hi Joey,

Found this old slide dated July 1964 was among some Gloucester relatives. I gave up on trying to identify the boat, but wondering if you might be able confirm by the skyline that it actually is (was) Gloucester.

-Cheers, Dave

Michael Wall Responds:

Hi Joey,

I think that vintage photo shows the Bluenose II, you can see in this attached link those canvas or galvanized cowl ventilators, life-ring, plus other details.

R. Michael Wall, Director

American Marine Model Gallery, Inc.

Mail: PO Box 6102

Shipping: 16 Ames Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930

Minglewood Harborside writes:

Congrats to Kelsey Porcaro, Paolo and all the other amazingly talented bartenders who were nominated. Thank you Joey and the GMG crew for this super fun contest. And most importantly thank you to everyone who supported us. Having the honor to display the Jeanne cup at the Minglewood bar that she helped build means the world to all of us. ❤️ This ones for you “dahling” ❤️

Can you feel the excitement!

The Socks and Underwear Drive sponsored by the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church ended on May 31 but that hasn’t stopped the flow of donations. The church has received more than 300 undergarments, over 500 pairs of socks, and they’re still counting!

Two local clothing stores, Nelson’s in Gloucester and the John Tarr Store in Rockport, supported the cause by collecting donated items, but they didn’t stop there. They offered sales to make donating more affordable and made their own generous gifts to the drive. The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport aided the effort by providing a collection site and encouraging members to donate.

Kate Ruzecki, volunteer and board member at the Gloucester Church described the bounty, “A sock is no longer just a sock. There are crew, and ankle and no-show in every color, fabric and package size – charming socks for the littlest kids – every cute shape, size and color. One pair looks like safari camouflage with tiny little animals. We have small boys’ underwear in bright metallic shades, and girls’ in pretty colors and designs. We even have men’s long underwear donated by Nelson’s to keep people warm next winter.”

Church volunteers have turned all the cash donations into garments, buying sizes and types that were under-represented in the donation bins. The Grace Center, a local nonprofit providing day services to adults who are homeless or in need of support, will receive and distribute the adult size donations. Pathways for Children, a local nonprofit providing education and support to low income families, will recieve and distribute the child size items. There will be a lot of happy feet (not to mention bottoms) on Cape Ann children and adults this coming year.

Holly Tanguay, Co-president of the Gloucester church expressed heartfelt thanks for donors’ generosity, “Inflation is pinching our purses and Covid is making everyday life more challenging but neither burden stopped the citizens of Gloucester and Rockport from demonstrating how much they care about their neighbors. We are awestruck by the generosity demonstrated here.”

Volunteers Kate Ruzecki and Lucille Amero of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church sort through a wealth of donations:

Cozy Hoodies and Caps Up In Here

146 Main St Gloucester MA

Get the Americano- my fave.