(2016) GLORIA 

August 12 and 13 • 7:30  p.m.

Gloria Artistic Team: 
Music and Lyrics by Ken Medema
(“Something Better” by Michael Pearce Donley”
Script by The Refreshment Committee (1982-86)
Rewrites by Sharayah Bunce (2016)
 
Directors: Lori & Greg Bunce
Music Asst: Rick Drakeu
Pianists:  Rick Drake & Peter Liu
Lighting: Jesse Newton
Sound: Greg Bunce
Set: Mark Arend
Choreography: Diana Lemanski, Gabriella Abbott, Sharayah Bunce, Kelli McNutt Tatum (Orig)
Costumes/Props: Jessica Arend, Gabriella Abbott, Sharayah Bunce, Sam Adamsson, Trevor Bunce
 
CAST:  
Gloria                          Sharayah Bunce
Woman Bent               Jessica Arend
Hagar                          Diana Lemanski
Shamus (cripple)        Sam Adamsson
Zacheus                      Stalyon Blackmon
Woman Caught           Gabriella Abbott
Legion                         Trevor Bunce
Moses                         Ryan Christensen

In 1982, “Gloria” was written by a group of Bethel college students during a January interim class, directed by professor Jeff Miller. The class members and writers were  Barry Rinehart, Nancy Johnson (now Owzarek), Amy Koelz (now Duininck), Brad Bak, Annette Bilhorn, and Steve Harrington. Mary Miller also performed in this interim production.

The show was developed and performed at the Bethel Homecoming that fall of 1982, and added were pianist Paul Tippett, and performers Pamela Freeman (now Bond), Lori Anderson (now Bunce), Matt Felmlee, Frank Sanza, and Pete Kramka. In 1983, Jeff and Mary Miller founded The Refreshment Committee, a non-profit Theater company, and booked a tour of “Gloria” to Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington.  This first West Coast 1983 Tour included Jeff & Mary Miller, Pamela Freeman, Nancy Owzarek, Amy Koelz, Lori Anderson, Barry Rinehart, Matt Felmlee, Brad Bak, Frank Sanza and Mike Dirks. Kelli McNutt (now Tatum) was choreographer, and Scott Robertson was technical engineer.  In 1984 and 1985, pianist/performer Michael Pearce Donley joined the group, along with Michael Bond, Tom Mills, Angie Johnson (now Gislason), Jann Lindaman (now Guldseth), Carl Holzworth, Ted Slaecker, Ann Blevins (now Bushyeager) and others.  The show continued touring for five more years, adding many wonderful and memorable cast members throughout the years.

The ORIGINAL PLAYBILL (1980s)

THE STORY

She grew up in Minnesota somewhere; she couldn’t wait to get away.  She moved to New York City.  Now she’s in advertising….  and she hates her life.  

She likes to dream.

Gloria Morgan, a Midwestern woman working in the big city, feels empty and dissatisfied… that is, until she meets seven intriguing characters on her way to work, each one telling of personal “meetings” with Jesus and how they were changed. 

Come and experience this unique musical about hope reborn, utilizing the humor, creative gifts and musical talents of Ken Medema, Michael Pearce Donley, and eleven talented performing artists, and presented by the grace of God!

Come dreaming with us…

Gloria Reunion 

The Cast: