Joe Cicio and Karen Stern, photo by June Alane Reif
Napa’s acclaimed Dreamweaver’s Theatre provides a fitting intimate space for their current production of D.L. Coburn’s “The Gin Game.” In their “black box” theatre, the audience experiences the 1976 Pulitzer Prize winner’s dramatic intensity. It feels as if you are sitting on stage with the actors. The scenes propel the two characters into developing a struggling friendship. Director June Alane Reif had allowed the two actors to have dramatic pauses. It was a wonderful treat to feel those moments in which both actors, Karen Stern and Joe Cicio had delivered so profoundly and beautifully.
The play takes place in on the back porch of a run-down nursing home. Joe Cicio as Weller Martin sits at a card table as he muses over a deck of cards. Cicio’s performance has a natural polish especially when he handles the cards and other props. His character Martin tends to be cynical, which he accurately portrays. Cicio’s facial expressions are very naturalistic, yet captivating.
The entrance of newcomer, the embittered and demure Fonsia Dorsey, also performed with accuracy by Karen Stern, interrupts his loneliness. Nervously, Fonsia sits on a bench, keeping her distance from Weller. He invites her to play a game of gin. Fonsia, who has never played gin, starts a winning streak against Weller. Weller, frustrated with Fonsia’s luck, starts challenges her in conversation. Their card playing carries on in their conversation. Their pleasant conversation gradually evolves into truth revealing explosions. Then, they try to reconcile and continue to play gin.
The play examines the challenges of friendship between two people who have no friends or relations that bother to visit them. Director Reif had commented that any adult age group could connect to the characters’ challenge to maintain their compatibility. But, she also concluded that the play serves as warning to us in our mid-life. It warns us of possible alienation that we can entrap ourselves in. Actress Stern states this in her expression at the final moment of the play. She laments “no, no, no” after her friend deserts her in his frustration.
The play might not be as uplifting as a Disney musical, but it contains many warm and comical moments. They actors seemed like that have practiced playing Gin for years. I enjoyed the stage affects during the storm. Kudos to the company for their diligent set design. I congratulate Dreamweaver’s for producing a daring and moving production of “The Gin Game.” It is worthy of a short drive from Vallejo to witness exceptional theatre.
The Gin Game runs until August 24, Dreamweaver’s Theatre, www.dreamweaverstheatre.org, $20/general, $18 military/senior/student, 707-255-LIVE
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