The History of Bowling, by Mike Ervin

Although the American theater has spent the last 30 years exploring issues of group identity, until recently the agenda has not included folks with disabilities. This show, which originated in Chicago in 1999, takes a step in that direction. The History of Bowling pulls together a collection of monologues and scenes in order to tell the story of a parapalegic and an epileptic who fall in love. It’s a marvelous idea for a play, and the script offers more than a few good moments—keen observations about life as a disabled person, flashes of gallows humor. In total, there isn’t quite enough. The two supporting actors, Gavin Lawrence and Marquetta Senters, are fine. But the two leads, Robert Ness and Ann Kim, come off rather poorly. Forgive us, but when half a dozen scenes end with non-ironic sitcom hugs and kisses, something has gone seriously amiss. We hope this show is merely the first in a wave of plays about disability, a dramatic subject whose time has arrived.