‘Seven Out’ Shoots for the Right Roll

Luck is “a synthesis of energy that we create,” according to Danny (Perry King) as he explains “the poetry of craps” to the audience in Doug Heyes Jr.’s new drama, “Seven Out,” at the Globe Playhouse. King and Priscilla Barnes, as Danny’s wife Julie, turn in good performances, yet the play needs some reworking to fully flesh out the characters and build dramatic tension.

Danny is the son of a great gambling man, out to prove the measure of his genes and get a big win in Las Vegas. Bankrolling his craps fever is his wife--a rich girl in love who transforms too abruptly into a cynical, bitter woman who sleeps with her money so her husband won’t empty her purse.

King is convincing as a charming cad who will lie, cheat and steal to get his gambling glory. World-weary, instilled with a hint of self-loathing, King exudes a sense of doom. Barnes begins as a perky, fresh bride who ages into steely anger. They play well off each other.

Unfortunately, the script doesn’t fully develop their relationship to give the emotional tension needed, especially in support of the ending. Heyes unsuccessfully mixes comical foreboding (the wedding scene) with the bluesy melancholy of Danny’s narrative.

What does work is the chemistry between Barnes and King, and King and his mysterious mentor Stick (Ryan Cutrona), as skillfully staged by Ron Link.

* “Seven Out,” Globe Playhouse, 1107 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood. Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 and 9 p.m.; Sundays, 3 and 7 p.m. through Aug. 24. $25. (213) 466-1767. Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.