Let’s review some of the plot points for “More Fun Than Bowling.”
Death by lightning strike. A pianist’s hand — and his career — broken by a foul-tipped baseball.
And this from is a theater company that promotes itself as comedy without all the drama?
“The show is super fun,” said Debra Rich Gettleman, managing director of The Phoenix Theatre in Edmonds. “You don’t have to be a bowler to appreciate how funny this play is.
“If you are a bowler, you might be falling out of your chair. It’s hysterical.”
The show runs on weekends from Feb. 2 to 25.
The play is written by Steven Dietz, who Gettleman characterized as “a comic master.”
It revolves around the life of Jake, who owns a bowling alley in a small Midwestern town. Two of his ex-wives were killed in bowling accidents, one by a ball return machine and one zapped by lightning carrying a bowling trophy in a thunderstorm.
“Jake’s daughter has been really good at talking people into marrying her dad for love and for free bowling time,” Gettleman said.
In addition to the humor, there is time for reflection. “It’s really about the metaphor of bowling for life,” she said.
There’s also an element of mystery in the play — a character in a dark suit lurking in the shadows with a revolver follows Jake around. The audience won’t find out until the end of the play what the character’s role is.
The play is directed by Eric Lewis. Its five-member cast has Michael McFadden playing the role of Jake. Gettleman describes him as a brilliant comic actor and overall one of the best actors in the Puget Sound region.
Jake’s daughter, Molly, is played by Juliette Jones. She attends Garfield High School, where she plays violin in orchestra and saxophone in jazz band.
She also dances tap, jazz and ballet, and she is beginning to learn ukulele and electric bass.
Jake’s ex-wives are played by Karin Terry and Audrey Herold. Terry, plays the role of Lois in her first production with the Phoenix Theatre. She recently was Babette in “Beauty and the Beast” with Driftwood Players.
Herold, who plays the role of Loretta, is an actor and costume designer working in the Seattle area. The Trinity Western University graduate previously has played in a number of roles, including Leonata in “Much Ado About Nothing.”
Melanie Calderwood, the group’s artistic director, plays the character lurking in the shadows.
Gettleman said she distinctly remembers her initial reaction to the script for “More Fun Than Bowling.”
“I read it and said, ‘We have to do this play,’ ” Gettleman said. “I want to pick shows that are fun and uplifting and enjoyable, but also make people think.”
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@ heraldnet.com.
If you go
“More Fun Than Bowling,” by Steven Dietz, runs Feb. 2-25 at Phoenix Theatre, 9673 Firdale Ave. in Edmonds. Shows start at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $24 general admission or $20 for those 65 and older. Call 206-533-2000 or visit www.tptedmonds.org for more information.
