Cast of “The Gin Game.”
CAPE MAY – Cape May Stage presents D.L. Coburn’s “The Gin Game,” opening Aug. 9 and running through Sept. 22. Winner of the 1978 Pulitzer Prize and a Tony nominee for Best Play, “The Gin Game” tells the story of Fonsia Dorsey, a woman in her twilight years now residing in a retirement home. Her loneliness is interrupted by the surly charm of fellow resident Weller Marin who teaches her how to play gin rummy. As they seemingly become close over the shuffle of cards, much is revealed about their regret-filled lives. Fonsia consistently wins every hand, rage and needling escalates and comes to a head in an unsettling argument.
The cast features Jennifer Harmon as Fonsia Dorsey, a prim and proper elderly woman who appears to be a fragile victim, abandoned by everyone she loves, but appearances can be deceiving and the truth is eventually revealed. Jennifer Harmon’s Broadway credits include “Other Desert Cities,” “The Dinner Party” and “Blithe Spirit.” Other theatre, television and film credits include “Outside Mullingar,” “The Good Wife,” “Eat, Pray, Love,” “Law & Order” and “One Life to Live.”
Playing Weller Marin, a deeply angry man who sees life in terms of winning and losing, is veteran actor Bill Tatum. Bill previously appeared at Cape May Stage in “Moon Over Buffalo” and “Mary, Mary.” This past winter he appeared in “In White America.” His television appearances include “As The World Turns,” “Law & Order” and “The Office Party.”
Award-winning director, producer, actor and producing artistic director of Cape May Stage, Roy Steinberg, will direct the tragicomedy by D.L.Coburn. Steinberg says, “‘The Gin Game’ has a message to a modern day audience in that it focuses on some very real situations that seniors and their loved ones now deal with in today’s society. We have two actors at the top of their game that bring these characters to life and will engage and entertain an audience of all ages.”
The New York Times called the play “a thoroughly entertaining lesson in the fine art of theatrical finesse. The closest thing the theatre offers to a duel at 10 paces.” “The Gin Game” runs Aug. 9 through Sept. 22 with an Official Opening Night and After Party on Aug. 10. There will be a Talkback on Aug. 25, a Best Value Night on Sept. 5 and a Pay-What-You-Wish Night on Sept. 12. The show runs Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. For ticket information, visit capemaystage.org or call the box office at (609) 770-8311.