How to go
What: “Gloria — The Musical”
Where: The Gloria Theatre, 216 S. Main St., Urbana
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2 and July 9, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10
Admission: $10
More info: www.gloriathemusical.com
A musical that’s been around for a year-and-a-half doesn’t necessarily qualify for a revival.
Consider the return of “Gloria –The Musical” as being back by popular demand.
The original production, inspired by the Urbana theater it will be presented at, will return 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, Saturday, July 2 and July 9, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at the Gloria Theatre, located at 216 S. Main St., Urbana.
The musical, says creator Jon Umstead, is an allegory for the history of the theater. It debuted in January 2015 to two sold-out shows.
The inspiration for the theater, Gloria (Grimes) Creviston, also influenced this presentation.
“She said, ‘Next time, do it when it’s warmer,’ ” Umstead said.
If you did catch “Gloria – The Musical” before, then you haven’t seen it all. Umstead sent the script and music to a New York company that critiques music and live theater scripts for feedback.
“The criticisms were it dragged on in places and that because it was written specifically for the Gloria Theatre, it would not have broad appeal,” he said. “They particularly liked, and were not expecting, as much contemporary music as the show has. They also provided ideas for improving the script, a lot of which we took to heart.”
As a result, Umstead has placed a lot more emphasis on the music and added more comedy to this version.
Umstead said the GrandWorks Foundation, which is responsible for the Gloria Theatre restoration project, will make “Gloria – The Musical” one of its signature shows and be presented every few years.
All proceeds raised from the upcoming performances will go to the theater for operations and revitalization projects.
“There are many needs at the theater, some large and some small projects,” Umstead said.
Digital film equipment was recently purchased. Now installing and making it operational are additional expenses. The next big project is to reconstruct the concession stand and bathrooms, which will cost about $150,000.
The GrandWorks Foundation has raised nearly $200,000 for capital improvements and will require around $1.3 million total.
Future plans for the Gloria include the Missoula Children’s Theatre, beginning in July, digital films in late summer and a concert series in the fall.
For more information on future projects or to purchase presale tickets for "Gloria – The Musical," go to www.grandworksfoundation.org.
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