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4 The Daily Tar Heel Mondav. February 4. 1980 In 'The Gin Game' tinging redeems 'Home' 3 Pride, fear deal the cards By BOBBY PARKER Staff Writer We humans can be so silly sometimes. We are creatures tormented by pride and suspicion, haunted by the compulsion to be always looking over our own shoulders. There is much to learn of silly human pride and suspicion in D.L. Coburn's The Gin Game, the Pulitzer prize-winning drama being staged through Feb. 10 in Playmakers Theater by Playmakers Repertory Company. When pride forces us to gloss over truth we begin playing games with our lives games that are grand in scope but hollow in substance. The Gin Game uses a central image of card playing to denude our obsession with such games and, more vividly, to reveal our fear of losing these contests. At a glance, the idea and the image appear trite and too obvious. However, Coburn achieves success in The Gin Game, because his theme is not overworked. His message, spiced with humor, is delivered in quick and gentle touches. The plot seems rather loosely structured, more a glimpse of life than a neatly packaged story. Fonsia Dorsey (Ann Shepherd) and Weller Martin (Charles Randall) meet in the rest home to where both recently have moved. They are drawn together by their loneliness. Fonsia and Weller become companions, but they fall short of becoming friends. Each is using the other to rebuild his ruptured self-image. Such manipulation would T?e cruel were it contrived. Here it is piteous because it is simply a natural reaction. I . ttu.tiiujnl I Luncheon Specials MON Steak and Cheese sandwich with French Fries. TUES Barbeque Chicken Plate with French Fries and Salad WED Barbeque Beef Rib with French Fries THURS Hot Roast Beef sandwich with Fries $2.50 $2.25 $3.35 $2.50 $2.75 FRI Barbeque Plate with fries and slaw Barbeque sandwich Fried Shrimp $1.60 $2.75 EVERYDAY Tuna Salad Sandwiches Chicken Salad Sandwiches Egg Salad Sandwiches on Rye, Whole Wheat, or Pumpernickel Vegetable Beef Soup or Soup of the Day 12 Barbeque Chicken with Fries and Salad '3.25 11:30- 2:30 Mon-Sat Amber Alley Franklin St. THE Daily Crossword ACROSS 33 Soviet sea 1 Bound along 34 Caesar's 5 Kitchen "I came" gadget 35 Indian 10 Pear 36 Marries 14 Neat as well 15 Lariat 41 Comp. pt. 16 Within: 42 Ball of comb, form thread 17 Wrestling 43 Central style part 20 English 44 Certain cathedral British town soldier 21 Unctuous 46 Marked, 22 Suspicious in a way 23 Be pensive 49 " great 24 Sashes day for..." 26 Terms in 50 Roof edge office 51 Secret 29 Tropical society flower acronym 54 55 58 62 63 64 65 66 67 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 1 12 13 18 19 23 Yesterday's Puzzle Solved: GTElMTsTI pTr I i In IT HaTbTbTe ALEE ,,Ir" U L E rTLiT 0 0 N 1H I JLjLA B.JL1G.A T E S I I WAN E SAiR E R JLElS 0.10. E lives Ijo V EN s i cZTladenZabe Tie" rTfiH E EMERALD I SUE SCOTT TMM E Z P A R PIGEON BL0 0 DR U B Y IN AIT 8. A 1 R.J1 i0 R L. E. T IE IE IMUA IN 10 IE IS LiB IE IE IS 1 2280 1 U 3 4 "fj 6 p 3 9 110 lit 112 113 j 77 TT" Tg-" -p- 24"2T" 7o2T"iI " 29 i0l3liT" 33 134 "3l 71 " " 42 4l 44 4b """" ' 4T"" 4T" 48" " b0 irnSriST" """"" """"" """"" """"" "b6"fe7 "" -jifioin" " """" """"" of" "" 1 I I I 1 I I 1 1111 I J 1980 by Chicago Tribune-N.Y. News All Rights Reserved Coburn has avoided the obvious danger present in such a simple, inactive plot (who wants to watch an old couple play gin for two hours?) through the strength of. his characters and the direction of his message. Fonsia Dorsey is a bitter woman who feels cheated by life. Experience a husband who walked out on her and a son who betrayed her has taught her to mistrust men. She never fools herself but persists in trying to fool others. "I'm not here on welfare," she declares. We wonder why her denial is so strong it is because it is a lie. Shepherd's performance is powerful in its understatement. When she is apologetically winning every hand of gin to her partner's dismay Shepherd's timing and detail are polished and precise. Weller Martin's obsession to win at cards is frightening when combined with his explosive temper. His frustration at losing is deepened by his cynical view that there is no such thing as luck. Randall sets up a character of routine, who always deals, always in the same way. He moves Weller from rage to moments of helplessness when we see his weeping fear of death. Director Saltz retains much of the spirit of Coburn's script with a soft, subtle guidance. When Fonsia is reduced to tears or Weller is buckled in pain, the other turns away, unable to give comfort. The physical distance that Saltz puts between the two shows dramatically perhaps poetically their unwillingness and inability to reach out to one another. The realistic set design by David M. Glenn has marvelous detail, but a less elaborate one would have served the play as well. Glenn's lighting gives a gentle linear effect. GUADALAJARA SUMMER SCHOOL University of Arizona offers more than 40 courses: anthro pology, art, bilingual educa tion, folk music and folk dance, history, political sci ence, sociology, Spanish lan guage and literature and in tensive Spanish. Six-week ses sion. June 30-August 8, 1980.Fully accredited grad uate and undergraduate pro gram. Tuition $295. Room and board in Mexican home, $315. EEOAA Write Guadalajara Summer School Robert L. Nugent 209 University of Arizona Tucson 85721 (602) 626-4729 HELP PREVENT BIRTH DEFECTS Support the: THIS SPACE CONTRIBUTED BY THE PUBLISHER by Herb. L. Risteen Draped garment Winglike part Speaking stoppage Indigo Removes, in printing Farm implement Prescribed amount Long time periods Sibley or pup DOWN Trimming Ring stone Compassion Large book: abbr. Kudos Bridal paths Vigorous Schedule abbr. Go back on Command Formerly Excel Rabbit fur Eleventh Outpatient department Farm animal 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 34 37 38 39 40 45 46 47 48 51 Margarine Group Less feral Wipe out Stripped Fur magnate Felt dis comfort Swear and soda Too bad! "I kick out of you" Palestine port Coterie Skua Touch lovingly Tel Type of school: abbr. War Amos of baseball Normandy town Do office work Sacred object Salamander Lupino Formerly known as Make a choice 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 60 61 Synd. Inc. 246Q j v. ... . : i x . : ft' X r i-A' L - Weekday Fair Cinema Campus Ossessione Lunchino Visconti's version of The Postman Always Wins Twice. At 8 p.m. Tuesday in Carroll Hall. Admission free with UNC student ID. Senso Luchino Visconti's tempestuous love story set in 19th century Italy. At 8 p.m. Wednesday in Carroll Hall. Free with UNC student ID. Radio Inside Track Featured albums are: Nazareth's Malice In Wonder land today; Steve Walsh's Schemer Dreamer, and The Nighthawks' Full House Wednes day. Aired at 1 1 p.m. each day on WXYC-FM 89.3. In Focus: Featured artists are: Dan Fogelberg and Hoyt Axton today; Phobe Snow and Taj Mahal Tuesday; and Dire Straits and Fairpoint Convention Wednesday. Aired 6-1 1 p.m. each day on WDBS-FM 107. Theater The Gin Came UNC Playmakers Repertory Theatre presents D.L. Coburn's Pulitzer prize winning play at 8 p.m. today through Saturday and at 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday in Playmakers Theatre. Call 933-1 121 for reservations. Dylan The Raleigh Little Theatre presents this play based on the life of poet Dylan Thomas at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Little Theatre in Raleigh. Call 821-3 1 1 1 for reser vations. Planetarium The Planet Seekers A science fiction show about aliens scrutinizing the planets in our solar system. At ( ,-4 BoGART One of the best detective stories ever MATINEES AT 2:15 THRU THURSDAY I 3 NOW SHOWING 2:45 4:45 6:45 8:45 WALI disneys Sleeping VWALTDISNEYS S4t. MM GiBEAUly , t 1979 Walt Dhwgy Production HELD OVER 7th BIG WEEK 2:30 ?J:5U 7H0 9:30 ROBERT REDFORD JANE FONDA THE ELECTRIC HORSEMAN Vv A COIUMBI. ffifj X ONIVHSAl Bf(fSf 1 VS I - V f "Winner of 5 Golden Globe Award Nominations including: Best Picture Best Sud. Actor Best Actress-Bette Midler BETTE MIDLER Al A N PATFQ f- V "DOLBY r STEREO" IBJ 1 HELD OVER 9TH WEEK r-rrtir t unrm 3 3ICC lilMK I 111 5:15 I -l? -I.AC V-. " f .13 " 9:15 gMik fyMMl 7:05 9:15 Kramer yKramer - dustin hoffman (reduced Admission tickTts are121 rmiaJiiiiJUijjjifi 7:00 THE ULTIMATE COSMIC COMEDY DARK STAR CAROLINA CLASSICS SERIES ft LiMr ii i I I V fr.ri, rY 4 . AT . ' ' A i - - uirvacott Sharp Ann Shepherd in The Gin Gsrne' ...message of play spiced with humor Slatz opens each scene with the blaring sound of a TV set, something likely to be found in a rest home. Despite the game shows on Sunday afternoon, the device establishes an appropriate atmosphere. But reaHsrh is carried too far with such devices as singing crickets and pouring rain. This play does not call for a lot of showing off. We should haye had impressionism rather than realism and the message would have been as powerful. The audience is one up on the characters in The Gin Game. We can see how greatly the actors and actresses are controlled by pride, suspicion and fear, but they are never able to realize it. That ignorance is the heart of Coburn's message. 8 p.m. today through Friday. Gallery Ackland Art Museum New Art from Chicago today through March 9. Morehead Planetarium Gallery Photograph Im ages of the Seventies by Ron Kovacs through Feb. 29. Horace Williams House Works by 30 area sculp tures today through Feb. 29. Nite Life Cat's Cradle Hands tonight. Chris Frank and the Easterling Brothers Tuesday and Wednesday. The Station The Apple Chill Cloggers Tuesday, Barbara Singer Wednesday. FOUR ELEMENTS OF GOOD BALLET Laughter. Intrigue. Passion. Drama. Four elements of ballet at its best. And if these are elements you'd like to include in your next evening out be sure to see the Washington ballet, February 9, in Memorial Hall. Itil be an evening you'll treasure forever. Tickets at Union Desk $5 for general public $4 for students Si. Sr. Citizens Carolina i mm- HI IM II AND BEHOLD! THERE WAS MUSIC IN HEAVEN j:- The celestial melodies of a harp. :: The springlike flirtations of a flute, i;: And when you combine the two v. you produce sound fit for the :: divine. And when you add the :: virtuosity of harpist Nancy Allen :: and flutist Ranson Wilson the $ results can only be heavenly :J rapture. It all comes together at $ 8:00 p.m. Feb. 10 in Memorial :: Hall. Don't miss it! Tickets .$2.50 at Union Box Office DOONESBURY By BOB ROYALTY Staff Writer Don Home, a show written by English professor Lee Greene presented Saturday night in Memorial Hall, was billed as "black history through the arts." Unfortunately, the dramatic continuity of the play was dubious at best, hinting at some sort of plot only to subsequently deny it. A mixture of drama, dance and song, Down Home was redeemed by excellent singing and an energetic cast. The play was in four parts, moving from Africa to Northern United States. The first part, called "The Motherland," featured Herb Farrish and the Opeyo dancers in a re-creation of an African village. The second and third parts were set in the South, before and after emancipation. The final section was "The Land of Promises: Up North." Each part alternated songs, dramatic scenes and monologues, dance and mime. The rather mystic, joyous beginning achieved by the Opeyo dancers in the African village was suddenly shattered by the appearance of slaves dressed like ghosts or klansmen. Half the audience laughed; half the audience sympathized. Nevertheless, despite a ridiculous treatment of a serious theme, the play showed flashes of excellence. Following the intermission, after the tremendous number "Walk Him Up from Purlie!, Down Home could have become a great show. What it did, however, was introduce a North-South argument that continued too long. Prickly plant safe, warm now A 7-foot-6-inch patient was left outside the Student Health Service infirmary's emergency ramp last weekend, after spending two weeks in captivity. The patient, a rare cactus worth $300, was taken from the infirmary three weeks ago. SHS head nurse Stella Herndon said she received an anonymous call about 9 p.m. Jan. 25 saying that the gargantuan greenery had been returned. SHS Director James Taylor said "The plant looks a little worse for wear, but we got it back and we are grateful." Herndon said the plant was bruised and in need of repotting. The poor NOW YOU CAN DISCOVER EXACTLY WHAT CANDIDATES FOR STUDENT GOVERNMENT WANT TO DO And how it will affect you STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT Bob Saunders Kevin Garrity Clive Stafford-Smith DAILY TAR HEEL George Shadroui Ken Roberts CAA Charlie Brown It all happens at 3:00 pm February 7 in Great Hall m HEED THE EXERCISE Jt V rMFf&nieHiGrtut FI5PCan6UlUPFUl. I UPS UX7ZF7& F I CCULPASK VOUAFZW yrrrviK IGUCSSrf HOi5 WJU57A THAT? MATTZRCF TV 1 People moved in and out of characterization. Songs popped up out of nowhere. The finale, "Eerbody Rejoice," from Tfie H7r, although joyous and well-sung, had no connection with what had been going on. The singing made the evening worthwhile. Solos by SUvia Collins. Audrey Love. Curtis Sutton. Brian Delaney, Karen Cuthrcll and others were joyful and powerful. Almost all of the songs were fast and fun. eliciting plenty of audience participation. The dancing in Down Home also deserves praise. Although not outstanding, it was smooth and fitted well into the show. The dramatic monologues, such as "Somewhere A Message" and "Becky." were for the most part inadequate. The one exception was Carol Willis in "My Daddy" in which she effectively portrayed the pathos, helplessness and anguish of a lynched sharecropper's daughter. The technical effects of the show detracted from its other strengths. Spotlights were out of place, the curtain never completely opened or closed and there were too many pauses between scenes. A better-timed play would have meant a better production. Neither a series of impressionistic flashes nor a historical narrative, Down Home is a nebulous mixture of the two. It never quite lived up to the greatness of the theme it was presenting the history of the black people. The potential was there; had there been more cohesieness. perhaps, it would have reached its goal. prickler had probably been kept out in the cold, even though the semi-tropical plant needs warmth. Herndon said. There are no suspects in the cactus napping, Herndon said. "No one was there when it was returned, or when it was stolen." Taylor said, "1 don't know if they brought it by automobile, hand-carried or what. The plant is very heavy." Meanwhile, nurses are caring for the injured plant. They have wrapped the returned hostage in tourniquets and made it comfortable by placing it against the wall to recuperate from its ordeal. MARY BLTH STARR I Tickets Available Tuesday $9&$8 8 p.m. Memorial Hall February 24 Tickets Available :j for Doc Watson February 23 $6 I Chuck Mangione March 24 $8 by Garry Trudcau UH.K5. eurtYB OCT A Q&ZZKPOU. f I HAVE VERV A I n i no! i i J no!
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Feb. 4, 1980, edition 1
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