The Gin Game is D.L. Colburn’s tragicomedy — or comitragedy? —that has been his most successful script, brought to life by many esteemed elder-actors, such as Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, John Peakes and Carmen Decker… and Williamston Theatre’s Ruth Crawford and Hugh Maguire — under the direction of John Lepard — lift the script to an amusing, touching, involving level.
Neither Weller or Fonsia has visitors on visitor’s day at the old folks home. Relatively recent residents, they share self-mocking banter about aging and disparage the other residents who are less able than they. A potential friendship is sparked when Weller teaches Fonsia how to play gin rummy but then the newbie coyly starts winning game after game.
On the framework of many games of gin hang Issues of aging and broken relationships of the past. Veneers and lies are peeled away and repeated game losses provoke Weller’s irascibility, building to anger and ultimately to a rage that is about more than the gin game. Are we winning/losing at life, itself?
Ruth Crawford has a history of excellence in many Williamston shows including A Painted Window, Christmas Carol , Miracle on South Division Street and Old Love. She lives up to her reputation, offering a multi-layered Fonsia. Hugh Maguire is doing his first Williamston show since the well-remembered Leaving Iowa. He manages to be a sympathetic character, despite his cranky outbursts. The potential for later-life-love is a carrot that dangles temptingly on this stage.
The set is maybe a little too nice (Gabriella Csapo) since this is not supposed to be a high-end establishment. But it works well, with overheard sounds modulated with the opening/closing of the sliding patio door. (Sound Design Julia Garlotte.) And I liked the touch of the orderly/caregiver-costumed Kevin Craig delivering pills to Fonsia as part of one of his prop-moving scene changes.
The Gin Game continues through April 20 8 pm Thur/Fri, 3 pm & 8 pm Sat, 2pm Sun
www.williamstontheatre.org
btw, if you want a more erudite review of this production, check out Ken Glickman’s take at glickarts.blogspot.com
Neither Weller or Fonsia has visitors on visitor’s day at the old folks home. Relatively recent residents, they share self-mocking banter about aging and disparage the other residents who are less able than they. A potential friendship is sparked when Weller teaches Fonsia how to play gin rummy but then the newbie coyly starts winning game after game.
On the framework of many games of gin hang Issues of aging and broken relationships of the past. Veneers and lies are peeled away and repeated game losses provoke Weller’s irascibility, building to anger and ultimately to a rage that is about more than the gin game. Are we winning/losing at life, itself?
Ruth Crawford has a history of excellence in many Williamston shows including A Painted Window, Christmas Carol , Miracle on South Division Street and Old Love. She lives up to her reputation, offering a multi-layered Fonsia. Hugh Maguire is doing his first Williamston show since the well-remembered Leaving Iowa. He manages to be a sympathetic character, despite his cranky outbursts. The potential for later-life-love is a carrot that dangles temptingly on this stage.
The set is maybe a little too nice (Gabriella Csapo) since this is not supposed to be a high-end establishment. But it works well, with overheard sounds modulated with the opening/closing of the sliding patio door. (Sound Design Julia Garlotte.) And I liked the touch of the orderly/caregiver-costumed Kevin Craig delivering pills to Fonsia as part of one of his prop-moving scene changes.
The Gin Game continues through April 20 8 pm Thur/Fri, 3 pm & 8 pm Sat, 2pm Sun
www.williamstontheatre.org
btw, if you want a more erudite review of this production, check out Ken Glickman’s take at glickarts.blogspot.com
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