Tyson and Jones–Two masters on top of their game
[Theater]
Review By Ennaid
Time has been kind to actors Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones and fans of the theatre can count this as a blessing.
In D.L Colburn’s Pulitzer Prize winning play The Gin Game currently in a limited run at the Golden Theatre on Broadway, the characters Weller Martin (Jones) and Fonsia Dorsey (Tyson) have been dusted- off and rebirthed by this legendary duo in a performance that succeeds in being both riveting and a pleasure to behold.
Director Leonard Foglia has chosen the right moment to revive a play (original was in 1976) with a theme that is not just timeless but timely. In this two-person, two act play , Weller and Fonsia have lived out the biblical three -scores-and- ten years and alike many a present-day senior citizen are reluctant residents of an old-folks’ home he, refusing to engage with his fellow residents and she, feeling somewhat alienated as well.
They both are disappointed victims of this life- lamenting financial woes, failed marriages and family abandonment with Weller choosing to languish in self- imposed seclusion while a hapless Fosnia is lonely and fretful. They would attempt to bond through the game of gin rummy which he eagerly teaches her to play. As this pastime progresses filled with conversations about their lives, it unveils the troubles that plague these two individuals, tugging at our heartstrings in the process.
The opening scene introduces the audience to a dispirited Weller with seclusion on his mind, seated amidst the discard on the porch of the retirement home. An entire half of the porch- his hideout of choice – is marred by an unsightly pile of junk akin to a hoarder’s chaos- a scene that mirrors the harsh reality of Weller’s and Fosnia’s predicament. As he uproots himself from the mess alerted by Fonsia’s plaintive utterances, the audience , like Weller, is eager to welcome Ms. Tyson to the porch in all her petite and pristine prettiness.
Jones’ embodiment of old-man Weller’s persona is perfect – Weller’s cane -assisted gait combined with Jones’ cadences are on point. He is immediately convincing as the crass, persistent Weller pitch perfect as he entices Fonsia to indulge him in the game of gin. His reacquainting her with the game is, ironically, the beginning of his undoing. The first glimpse of his brash disposition peeks out here as he dealt the cards -hurried and anxious- his elevated voice drowning out Fonsia’s attempts to finish a sentence . His frustration and confusion fuelled by her winning streak provided hilarious moments for the audience and to Fonsia (acted with a straight- face and aplomb by Ms. Tyson) as well.
As his irrepressible anger erupts evoking our exasperation as it did Fonsia’s we choose a side- her side. Cicely’s small frame and frail voice in stark contrast to Jones’ imposing stature as he roared through his frustration worked well in arousing our sensibilities. Though Fonsia was forced to compromise her good-upbringing and regretfully abandon her genteelness by echoing Weller’s profanities when provoked, she maintained her dignity and resilience, reminiscent of the Ms. Jane Pitman and Carrie Watts (Trip to Bountiful) roles for which Ms. Tyson won accolades.
The dynamic of their relationship is brilliantly portrayed, highlighting both actors’ mastery at their craft- Jones as the frustrated goad and Tyson the tough though physically frail warrior. In one of their more agreeable moments they embraced in a dance having succumbed to the lure of house music a door panel away from the isolating porch.
There is a sense of relief at this tender moment- the brevity of it disappoints as conflict soon returns dashing our hopes of what promised to be the beginning of a wholesome companionship. Fate had dictated otherwise, their happy ending seemed unlikely. Colburns Weller and Fonsia though fictitious are more true-to-life and thus more mishmashy- complex characters tailor-made for the ageless acting skills of Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones.
The final performance for The Gin game is scheduled for January 10, 2016.
This gem of a play is a testament to the talents of these two icons; one more chapter in their illustrious careers that we’re lucky to experience and will continue to cherish as we await another.