Life Stacked the Deck

Life is like a box of chocolates? Oh, hell no. If anything, it’s a game of cards — gin rummy, to be exact. That much is clear in D.L. Coburn’s The Gin Game, which pits two residents of a nursing home to verbally duke it out over a deck of...

By Jason Budjinski

July 15, 2010

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Life is like a box of chocolates? Oh, hell no. If anything, it’s a game of cards — gin rummy, to be exact. That much is clear in D.L. Coburn’s The Gin Game, which pits two residents of a nursing home to verbally duke it out over a deck of cards. What starts as a battle over who’s got the better hand soon becomes a contest over who’s got the better life. The two residents, Weller and Fonsia, initially come together during visitors’ day, a lonely time for each. Weller teaches the game to Fonsia, who promptly wins and claims beginner’s luck. But as her streak continues, Weller’s frustration grows. Meanwhile, the competition spills over into their conversations.

The Gin Game opens at 8 p.m. Friday at Palm Beach Dramaworks (322 Banyan Blvd., West Palm Beach). The production runs through August 15. Tickets cost $42 and $44. Call 561-514-4042, or visit palmbeachdramaworks.org.
Thursdays, Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., July 18, 2 p.m.; Wednesdays, 3 & 8 p.m. Starts: July 16. Continues through Aug. 15, 2010

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