Studio Arena presents world premiere comedy,
"While We Were Bowling"

by Rustie Dimitriadis
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, April 8, 2004

James Miles as Jeremy Reed, Lucas Papaelias as Stickpin Padowski, Carolyn Swift as Frances McGlauphlin, and James Nardella as Brent McGlauphlin in “While We Were Bowling” by Carter W. Lewis. The comedy runs through April 18 at Studio Arena Theatre. For tickets and information, call 856-5650 or 1-800-77STAGE. (Photo by Jim Bush Photography.)

The fifth new play produced by Studio Arena Theatre in the past three seasons, "While We Were Bowling," by Carter W. Lewis is currently making its debut at the Buffalo theater.

At the heart of this coming of age comedy are the rich and engaging characters that make up the McGlauphlin family. Seventeen-year-old Lydia leads the audience on a touching and humorous journey through 1950's Buffalo, where Voelkers Bowling Center serves as a safe haven during the ups and downs of life.

The family’s antics as they try to beat Grandpa Whip’s all-time record of an 808 three-game series will keep the audience in stitches.

At the same time, the play has its poignant moments, such as Lydia’s observation that life is really only a few days long. Those days dictate direction, she explains, and the rest is spent in recovery. The pivotal events of the first act set the stage, while the second act is the comic aftermath.

Stand-out performances are given by James Miles as the loveable young man “adopted” by the McLauphlin family and Lucas Papaelias as streetwise Stickpin Padowski.

"While We Were Bowling" is the recipient of a major national award for new plays, the Laurie Foundation Theatre Visions Award. Artistic Director Gavin Cameron-Webb is hopeful that this prestigious honor will help propel the play to national notoriety.

The show runs through April 18, with performances Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m., Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. (Thursday, April 15 performances at 2 and 8 p.m.), and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. There is no show on Easter Sunday.

Studio Arena Theater is located at 710 Main St. in Buffalo at the corner of Main and West Tupper. Call 856-5650 or 1-800-77STAGE for more information or visit them on-line at www.studioarena.org.