A Woman Named Gloria by Josefina López

L to R Karla Ojeda and Celeste Lanuza - photos by Rudy Torres

By Joe Straw 

“Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever, about that.  The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it; and Scrooge’s name was as good upon ‘change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a doornail.” – A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

There was one word in this production that personified Gloria, and for the life of a secured conscious, one couldn't recall the exact word, but nevertheless it rang a truth, a bold sincerity, and represented the dramatic through line of this production.

But what was that word?

Casa 0101 Theater presents the world premiere of A Woman Named Gloria written by Josefina López, directed by Corky Dominguez, and produced by Emmanuel Deleage in the Gloria Molina Theatre through October 6th, 2024, at Casa 0101 Theater in Boyle Heights.

To start, Gloria Molina (Karla Ojeda) has died. A funeral was being held to say one last goodbye. A sad event, to be sure, attended by her daughter Valentina (Micaela Martinez), Gloria’s brother Mingo (Oscar González), and presiding over the services is an emotional Monsignor John Moretta (Martin Morales).

But death doesn’t sway Gloria who still feels that her work was not finished and although coaxed by the Virgen De Guadalupe (Celeste Lanuza) with her ethereal smile to step into the light she declines and asks for a moment, to help one more person in need and that person is Jessica Contreras (Lauren Curet).

Jessica, running for political office, has gotten herself into a lot of trouble. She has been stopped for driving under the influence and she is waiting for the press to arrive at her home, destroy her career, and her life while awaiting her expiation. 

Gloria has come back to help Jessica (the ghost of Christmas Past and Present) if only she could tear down the wall of inevitability that every politician must feel once they have stepped across the line of the moral ethical bonds of righteousness. To do this Gloria must convince Jessica that she is human, that she must rise above her faults, to move on with her life, and she offers her life as an example of how to negotiate a political life or any life for that matter.  

One really didn’t like the name of this play “A Woman Named Gloria”. Her name is still Gloria and will be for the sake of historical context. However, one is sure there is a reason behind the title of the play that cannot be grasped at this time and the one “word” that still escapes me.  

That said, Josefina López has written a remarkable play that plays on the emotion of looking back at one’s life and wondering if that life has been one of giving beyond the heart’s content. One can look back on Josefina’s career to know that her motives were just and inspiring, while providing another richly satisfying work of art.  

In short, “A Woman Named Gloria” is a terrific body of work with eighty-six characters that is an emotional roller-coaster ride. There is a lot to be said about this play and the current political climate of a woman running for the highest office in the land and what that can mean. When the world is governed by mostly rich white men who are in it only for themselves, selfless would be that word that describes the intentions of this woman, the play, and particularly the work of Gloria Molina.

Corky Dominguez, the director, infuses the audience with a remarkable dance sequence with chairs during the play that is both inspiring and creative that possibly represents the revolving world of politics. This is by far Dominguez’s finest work as a director as he moves the entire cast of characters through to the embattled end.  

Martin Morales and Karla Ojeda

Karla Ojeda is Gloria Molina and does a fine job as the strong-willed character.  Her voice is strong, and the manner of her objective is clear. It was a very fine performance by a very capable actor.

Lauren Curet is Jessica, a woman who is caught up in self-doubt, a “childless cat lady” who holds herself responsible for the wrongs she has committed in her life. She must find a way out whether it is in her chosen profession or another alternative in life.

The men come off as antagonists in this play throughout including the non-existent husband to Molina. Possibly a guilty antagonist simply by omission or a shadow of days past.

Alejandro Bravo does well throughout the night playing 11 different characters including the not so reputable Antonio Villaraigosa.

Oscar González needs more work, coming off as frail and without purpose in each of his 8 characters, particularly Papa Leonardo almost saying his lines upstage with a Latino machismo that comes off harsh and without love trying to teach his daughter a lesson.  

Martin Morales has some fine moments in each of his 12 characters.  There is not enough time to develop the characters but each were different, slightly forced, and funny most times including the pension man that appeared to be like a standing frustrated pencil. And although this character has a very limited time on stage, the character was supremely defined and funny.  

Edward Navarrete plays 8 different characters and displays truth in each role. More could be made with a little more creativity in each role.

L to R Celeste Lanuza, Karla Ojeda, Tricia Cruz, Micaela Martinez, Amy Melendrez, and Laura Vega

Tricia Cruz has her moments in nine different characters, but she comes off best as Doctor Yeon.

Natalie Heredia is terrific as a very young Gloria and an inspiring young actor dedicated to her craft. She has a very nice presence on stage.

Celeste Lanuza covers each role with a dynamic character. Her choices are both subtle and inspirational and she is a joy to watch.

Micaela Martinez is an actor that eyes immediately gravitate to in all seven characters. Her choices are creative and her manner on stage is excellent. Given a small push she should do well in television and in film.

Amy Melendrez is another actor with a strong presence and center on stage. Playing the Young Gloria, she manages to infuse the characters of Child Gloria and Older Gloria into the character she plays.  Her work is outstanding!

Laura Vega is also an outstanding actor and adds a different light to each of her 10 characters.  They are each creative and warm as she negotiates her way on stage.  She is a complete joy to watch, and she is outstanding in her craft.

Anthony Storniolo, Video Designer, does some incredible work displaying quilts throughout the production. One supposes they represented the designs of the quilting group Gloria Molina belonged to. The videos were superb.

One can bet that coming to a Casa 0101 production the costumes would once again be outstanding and colorful.  Patricia Tripp "Mama J", Costume Designer, does not let us down. 

Other members of the crew are as follows:

Rigo Tejeda – Production Stage Manager

Joaquín Madrid Larrañaga – Stage Manager

Alejandro Parra – Lighting Designer

Doreen Sanchez – Assistant Stage Manager

Angelica Ornelas – Sound Designer

César Retana-Holguín – Scenic Designer

Margaret Garcia – Muralist

Steve Moyer Public Relations

Mark Kraus – Development Director

Lorena Marisol Ortega – Director of Outreach and Productions

Miguel Delgado – Technical Director

Itzel Ocampo – Marketing and Operations Manager

Oscar Basulto – Box Office Manager

Jorge Villanueva – Facilities Manager

In the Jean Deleage Gallery, there is an art exhibit: Gloria Molina: Madrina of the Eastside as an extra bonus for your theatre going night. Street parking is free after 8:00 pm and there is free parking behind City Hall.

For tickets:323-263-7684 or visit www.casa0101.org.