Hearts on the Table, ‘Gin’ Actors Play to Win

It’s called “The Gin Game,” but the cards on the table are dignity and solace.

Julie Harris and Charles Durning play their hands beautifully in the National Actors Theatre’s Broadway revival of D.L. Coburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, making a tour stop through Sunday at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills.

In the late ‘70s, two other great American actors, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, immortalized these roles: a pair of lonely nursing home residents who very nearly live their whole lives over again in their heated games of gin. Under Charles Nelson Reilly’s direction, Harris and Durning play the comedy more broadly than their predecessors, with Durning stepping over the line into sitcom caricature a couple of unfortunate times. Still, he and Harris put their own indelible spin on the roles, and the production received three 1997 Tony Award nominations, for best revival, actress and director.

The show played early this year at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. Even with reduced seating for 1,358, the Wilshire, like the McCallum, is awfully large for a two-character play, and the miking here takes some of the life out of Harris’ and Durning’s voices.

Coburn’s play investigates growing older in America, capturing moments that are golden--and not so.

Weller Martin and Fonsia Dorsey meet on the sun porch of a cheerless old-age home to which--because they are, essentially, penniless--they have been consigned. In James Noone’s set design, it is wrapped in dead vines and fitted with rotting trim that breaks off in residents’ hands.

In a deft touch, Durning’s Weller wanders to the side of the porch, before Fonsia’s arrival, to wave at a passing train. Hope registers for just a moment in his sad, dull eyes as he yearns for someone to wave back. Soon after, the diminutive Harris flutters in like an injured bird. It is visitors’ day, and it’s too much for Fonsia to bear, because no one’s there to see her.

Harris’ prim Fonsia finds herself drawn to Durning’s wry, often-courtly Weller and, having been coaxed into playing gin with him, she brightens. The game becomes a last stand for pride and companionship, and for a while it seems they’ll both win. But as Weller’s luck runs south, his temper flares, and some of the less pleasant moments of both their failed marriages play out all over again. Harris presses herself against a wall, holding her breath, while a red-faced Durning erupts with rage.

Before things get too bad, though, the pair get to take a lovely little waltz across the porch--an addition the playwright made for this production.

* “The Gin Game,” Wilshire Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Tonight at 8, Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. $35-$50. (213) 365-3500. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes.

Charles Durning: Weller Martin

Julie Harris: Fonsia Dorsey

Magicworks Entertainment and Manny Kladitis present a National Actors Theatre production. Written by D.L. Coburn. Directed by Charles Nelson Reilly. Set: James Noone. Costumes: Noel Taylor. Lights: Kirk Bookman. Sound: T. Richard Fitzgerald. Stage manager: Anita Ross.