Gin Game Previews

The first preview of The Gin Game is tomorrow night. Is anyone going?

I'm seeing this October 16, and am hoping for some good word.

I am going and looks like I may have an extra ticket! This will be my first Broadway first preview.

Updated On: 9/23/15 at 04:27 PM

Does anyone know if they've announced a rush policy for this, or if they plan to do so?

Enjoyable evening.

It appeared that they both have colds. It seems to be affecting Ms Tyson more. Noticed a handler through the scrim at curtain call. (Was sitting really close). I think they did a bit of ad libbing, especially the middle of the 1st act but they are pros. Once they settle in I think it will be really good. They had us in the palm of their hands. All jokes landed. More later.

Run time was about two hours with an intermission. Started late and itermission ran about twenty minutes.

There is merch. The usual plus.....a deck of cards.

morosco said: "Noticed a handler through the scrim at curtain call.

What's that?"

It's a giant prehistoric bird that waits in the wings, and swoops up anyone who turns on their cell phone during the production, carrying them off to somewhere unknown. It's a new idea the Broadway community is trying.

Updated On: 9/24/15 at 03:02 AM

Sauja said: ""a giant prehistoric bird that waits in the wings, and swoops up anyone who turns on their cell phone during the production"

I know not everyone is a fan, but is it really necessary to use such derogatory language when talking about Patti?"

I know it's been said before, but this board needs a "like" button.

What's the design like? And can someone post a basic sort of plot summary?

Not to ask a stupid question, but is this a comedy or a drama or a mix? All I've seen is it's about a card game and I can see that going about a million ways.

Thanks! If I don't catch this I'll check out the pbs version.

Which ear did each choose to wear their earpiece on?

Just getting home from tonight's preview and enjoyed myself quite a bit. James Earl Jones seems to having more fun in this outing than in last few Broadway appearances and Cicely Tyson brings a deep warmth to Fonsia, not to mention all the playful ways she gets to say gin!

The plot is quite simple: Fonsia and Weller are both living in a rather rundown nursing home/assisted living situation. Weller doesn't like to associate with the other residents, deeming them too senile and near death to be around. He spends his time on the porch with his deck of cards. Fonsia has recently moved in and Weller asks her if she wants to play him in some friendly gin rummy. Weller considers himself an expert at the game while she is complete novice. The two begin playing and sharing stories about their lives before moving into the home. The thing is Fonsia wins hand after hand after hand. As the play goes on Weller's anger at losing continues to mount and their once pleasant conversation turns ugly and vicious.

EthelMae mentions that the play is [normally] a mix of comedy and drama, but this productions leans more heavily on the former. And although some of the more dramatic moments get shortchanged for a laugh, the performances kept me thoroughly entertained. The audience felt very into it and it was nice to feel such crackle and give and take between those onstage and the people in the seats.

I think there is a different dynamic to the play with these two because of their ages. Cronyn and Tandy were 66 and 68 whereas Jones and Tyson are 84 and 90. When Jones looks at Tyson and tells her with a sigh, "Maybe we've both lived too long," it carries a different weight than when someone decades younger says it. This really is the end for them. There's no time left to make amends or fixed strained family relations.

The biggest misstep with this production is the set. I know they're supposed to be a cheap, dilapidated home, but the massive house behind them looks more like Aunt Em and Uncle Henry's old gray farmhouse than a nursing home.

Set aside, it's an enjoyable evening with two great actors giving memorable performances.

I mean, it's way too early to guess nominations when this is only the fourth play to start previews this season. I thought they both gave nomination-worthy performances, but this revival will be long closed by May and who knows what riches we'll be given in the meantime.

I saw this tonight. I found it to be entertaining if very slight. I can't really wrap my head around this play winning a Pulitzer. I think right now the dramatic scenes just don't work.I think the direction is perhaps at fault, or this may be something that just needs to settle in through the run.

But that being said, the play is a delight mainly because of the two actors. Cicely Tyson is such a firecracker, and James Earl Jones is very strong. The comedy is excellent and definitely makes the evening worth it.

The set is bizarre. I don't think the set designer has ever been in or near a nursing home. I started to wait for M. Night Shamaylan style twist where they weren't actually at a nursing home but were living in a shack in the middle of the woods! Definitely a miss in that department.

Overall, I can say that I was entertained for two hours, but the play felt a little empty to me. The pleasure of seeing these two legends onstage and having a good time is definitely worth it though.