See the second act for River Street Playhouse with ‘The Gin Game’ on the intimate live stage: Valley Views

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio - The River Street Playhouse will light up the stage again in dramatic fashion 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Oct. 18 and 19 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 with "The Gin Game." Chagrin Valley Little Theater's smaller black box venue has not hosted a public performance since the pandemic shutdown.

Written by D.L. Coburn, the popular, award-winning play is directed by Michael Rogan and stars Stephen Morse and Kate Williams-Bernardo, who performed it together at the Willoughby Summer Theater at Andrews Osborne Academy and are reprising it for this special weekend in Chagrin Falls. The playwright uses the game of gin rummy as a metaphor for life's struggles.

Winner of the 1978 Pulitzer Prize for drama, Jessica Tandy won a Tony in the role as she played opposite to her husband Hume Cronyn. The plot has character Weller Martin, a nursing home resident, playing solitaire on a shabby nursing home porch when he is joined by a prim woman, Fonsia Dorsey. They are united in their dislike of the nursing home and their love for cards. As Fonnsia wins every game and personal details are revealed, their shared confidences become weapons in an escalating conflict. Weller seeks a victory to overcome a lifetime of defeats. Dorsey's rigidity may leave her bitter and lonely in her twilight years. The work explores themes of aging, competition and the search for connection. When first introduced the play won the 1978 Pulitzer Prize for drama and Jessica Tandy won a Tony in the role as she played opposite to her husband Hume Cronyn. The play includes some strong language and expressions of anger that may not be suitable for younger or more sensitive audience members.

The River Street Playhouse is housed in a former industrial space across the parking lot from the main theater at the end of River Street in Chagrin Falls. It was founded in 1978 through the vision of the late Don Edelman and the building's former owner, the late Steve Shields. Throughout the 2000′s it focused on smaller, newer, or more unusual material as well as serving as storage space for costumes, props and scenery. CVLT has been working to revive the aging building and its 65-seat proscenium space.

Tickets are $15 with proceeds going to help with needed repairs and upgrades. They can be purchased online at cvlt.org or by calling the box office 1-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at 440-247-8955. Available seats may be purchased at the door using cash. CVLT is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation and can accept contributions.

CVLT's regular Main Stage theater season is underway and includes The Sound of Music, Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, Jersey Boys, Clue: On Stage and Freaky Friday.

Autumn's observations: Observatory Park offers celestial views this weekend with guided night sky viewing after dark Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11 and 12. In addition a special evening educational program on Edgar Allan Poe's universe is offered Friday, Oct. 11. A hike featuring howling with coyotes is planned for Sunday, Oct. 13 and a full moon hike is scheduled Thursday, Oct. 17 under the full hunter moon. Registration is required to attend at geaugaparkdistrict.org or by calling 440-286-9516. The park located in Montville Township is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Open studio time: Come and tell your story 3-5 p.m. Sunday Oct. 19 at Fairmount Center for the Arts' open studio on storytelling. Artist Michaelle Marschall will guide activities in stamp-making, small bookbinding and theater games. It is a part of a new family-friendly series to help families make art and memories together with a variety of hands-on performing and visual arts activities to bring all ages together across the generations. Registration is recommended at fairmountcenter.org or by calling 440-338-3171.

Fall Flea: Shop for vintage treasures at Fig's Fall Flea 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday Oct. 11 and 12 at 23 South Franklin St. in Chagrin Falls. A variety of vendors will bring their wares and set up under tents. Admission is free.