Evidence of Buffalo's history and infatuation with bowling can be seen in the countless alleys and leagues around Western New York. But never has Buffalo's bowling community been represented as comically as it is in Studio Arena Theatre's current production.
"While We Were Bowling," written by Carter W. Lewis, was commissioned and produced exclusively by the Studio Arena Theatre, and received its world premiere last weekend.
Lewis' play takes place in 1958 in the Robie Street home of the McGauphlins, a family that bowls at Voelker's Bowling Alley, which is still located on the corner of Amherst Street and Elmwood Avenue.
In attendance for the world premiere was Buffalo bowling great, Nin Angelo, who won 19 consecutive weeks on the 1950s Buffalo television show, "Beat the Champ," hosted by Chuck Heely. Angelo's name was announced before the play to a round of applause from an appreciative audience.
It was clear from the audience's response throughout the evening that Buffalo's population does, indeed, feel a connection to its bowling roots. Lewis tapped into the hometown culture nicely and clearly did extensive research.
The McGauphlins is a fictional family of bowlers going through some tumultuous times in the late '50s.The play is narrated by the daughter of the family, Lydia (Lauren Bone).
For the McGauphlins, in the uncertain times of the red scare and the threat of atomic war, nothing could be more patriotic and undoubtedly American than bowling.
They think of it more as a religion than a sport or pastime, and much of the play is spent trying to beat Grandpa Whip's seemingly impossible three-game 808 series curse that has befallen them. As a result of the curse, the number 808 appears constantly in their lives, and nothing seems to go right for the family.
Unfortunately, despite a great script and exciting world premiere night, even the Studio Arena couldn't escape Grandpa Whip's deadly curse.
The set, which consisted of three moving stages-it switched between the McGauphlin's home and Voelker's-malfunctioned throughout the evening. The technical errors extended the intermission by a solid 10 minutes and caused the second act to be interrupted by another unplanned intermission while technicians unsuccessfully attempted to fix the unruly stage.
Though the stage suffered through many technical woes, the mishaps did not take away from Russell Metheny's beautifully designed set.
Studio Arena, which is known for its incredible sets, impressed again with a stunning contrast between the art deco style of the bowling alley and the perfectly ordinary portrayal of the lower-middle-class home of the McGauphlins.
Metheny thought of every detail, from the stylized ball returns and bowling alley floors to the classic television set and Bells Grocery Store shopping bag.
Though the play began slowly, it eventually gains steam and provides many laughs.
The younger members of the cast, including the aforementioned Bone, provided much of the hilarity.
Lucas Papaelias as "Stickpin" Padowski, Voelker's employee and authentic Polish-American, gained the audience's approval by nailing down the ethnic accent and attitude that many Buffalo residents know quite well.
Jeremy King, played by James Miles, is the abandoned television delivery boy who winds up living with the McGauphlins. Miles' facial expressions and perfect timing, paired with the portrayed innocence of a 14-year-old, created a perfect combination of humor.
In the face of the evening's technical difficulties, Lewis and director Gavin Cameron-Webb's cast did Buffalo and its history of bowling a worthy justice.
"While We Were Bowling" runs at Studio Arena Theatre through April 18.
