A Review of More Fun Than Bowling

Dreamwell - Jake Tomilson (Matthew J. Brewbaker) is never falling in love again. At least that’s what he tells his daughter Molly; we in the audience know better. We know he’d be a fool to let the feeling go – a feeling he describes as the sense of walking over water (so you’d better not look down for fear of drowning). Of course it’s understandable that he’s disheartened. His first wife left him to raise his daughter alone, and his second wife and third wives were killed by the bowling alley he owns and operates. And his feelings of paranoia might not be altogether unjustified; after all, an “authentic gypsy woman” at a carnival foresaw another death, and the mysterious Mr. Dyson (Jeremy Ping) is stalking him – slowly, steadily, stealthily, like a black limousine.

With all this against him, one might wonder why it’s so much fun to watch a play about Jake Tomilson’s life. But More Fun Than Bowling more than lives up to its name. Jake, for all his flaws, is really a loveable character. First, Brewbaker understands him well and gives a charming performance. Second, you can’t help but root for him. Maybe he’ll never get out of Turtle Springs, but he’s determined to make the most of small-town life. He may not be able to express his emotions, or even control them sometimes, but it becomes clear he understands the whirlwind of love and death around him and expresses it in the only language he has: the language of bowling.

It is a testament to Steven Dietz’s wit and craft that he is able to write a believable, funny and meaningful play in this language. It is a testament to Rachael Lindhart’s direction and the cast’s performance that the audience buys it as well. Because death—plodding, heavy, inevitable—is a bit like a bowling ball, isn’t it? And so is love. “You just let go,” Jake tells his second wife Lois (Vicki Krajewski) “and wait for the moment of impact.” The premise is silly, but it doesn’t take away from the meaning of the play at all. And the actors—individually and as an ensemble—are completely committed to the work. They understand these characters, their hopes, their dreams, and their shortcomings large and small.

One performance in particular stood out. Elise Mozena plays Molly, Jake’s daughter, who is the glue that holds this little family together. She has no qualms about calling Lois, and later Loretta (played by Kris Denniger) “Mom,” and without her help running the bowling alley (where Lois and Loretta each chip in after they marry Jake) would be impossible. Moreover, she is funny and bright and creates a warm center for the play. Mozena understands her personality and throws all of her energy into it. From the moment of her first entrance until the lights fall at the end of the play, she is completely committed to her performance, unselfconsciously living each moment on stage. It’s rare to see such focus and professionalism in an actor so young, and it’s a joy to watch.

The design is simple, unassuming, and really serves the play. Each costume looks good and does its job—it tells you something about the character. The set is small and functional, and the lights do a great job of setting the play on a hot summer day in a small town – a very warm look that instantly tells the audience where they are. The one design moment that seemed artificial was when Molly sat down in a special light to read a letter from her mother. It broke with the naturalism that contains the play, and gave Mozena very little to do. This could be written in the script, in which case it’s not really a director choice – either way, it’s a forgivable shortcoming. All in all, the design and the acting both served the story really well. This is the kind of production that reminds me why I believe in regional theatre. These stories need to be told, and often they can be told best in a small, intimate setting with a committed cast.

So if you’re in for a few laughs, a good story and you’re not afraid of turquoise, you should treat yourself to a ticket to More Fun Than Bowling while it’s still running. Even if you have to cancel your bowling tournament.

--James Trainor

James recently graduated from Cornell College with a Bachelor of Special Studies in English and Theater. He has also acted and directed for Stage Left Theater in Cedar Rapids, and is currently preparing to direct Flu Season there in March.