Evening Star Productions’ presents The Gin Game as their second offering of the season. Written by Donald L. Coburn’s, The Gin Game, was first produced in a 56 seat theatre in Hollywood California in 1976. Boca Raton’s Sol Theatre’s intimate black box theatre is a fitting space for the play, which will be directed by Evening Star’s artistic director Rosalie Grant, and stars Jim Gibbons and Kala Kaminsky.
The Gin Game is a powerful, bittersweet examination of the relationship that develops between nursing home residents Fonsia Dorsey and Weller Martin during a series of gin games in which their ailments, misfortunes, and losses are exposed in funny, honest and increasingly heated moments. The play won the 1978 Pulitzer Prize for drama.
“Fourteen years ago I had the pleasure of being on stage with Jim Gibbons and Kala Kaminsky in Sol Theatre Project’s inaugural production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest,” says director Rosalie Grant. “At that time the thought of having the opportunity to direct two of the finest actors I’ve ever known was far-fetched. But so was the thought that I’d be middle aged one day, and able to sympathize with Weller and Fonsia’s situations. But here I am, probably closer to a nursing home than a dance floor! I am incredibly humbled to direct this laugh-through-your tears Pulitzer Prize-winning play … and to direct two dear friends is truly icing on the cake. The story of Weller and Fonsia is as relevant today as it was in 1978, which also happens to be the year I graduated high school … and gin games were the stuff of long winter days and evenings!”
Kaminsky and Gibbons are equally taken with the play and their roles: “Approaching Fonsia’s truth as she nears the end of an unexplored life, and becomes trapped by earlier, unrepented choices with the game of gin as a study of free will and determinism is a fascinating present,” Kaminsky says. “I’ve wanted to do this role since I saw the play on PBS back in the 80’s,” says Gibbons. “Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy starred. The play spoke to me then, when I was in my early 40’s, but now that I’m 70, it truly resonates.”
Evening Star Productions’ The Gin Game will run from February 26 – March 15 at Sol Theatre in Boca Raton. Sol Theatre is located at 3333 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton (33431).Tickets are $15 or $10 for students. Group rates are also available. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Sol Theatre box office at 561-447-8829 or on line at www.eveningstarproductions.org. For more information about Evening Star Productions, please contact Rosalie Grant at 561-447-8829 / info@eveningstarproductions.com.
