Full disclosure:  I think I’ve been bowling twice in my life, once with a church youth group and once as a Girl Scout. It’s not something I enjoyed or did well. But hey, everyone else made it look like fun. And a big shout out to my friends who bowl (Bob and Mike who rolled his first 300 last year) because you keep it real.

The Bowling Play, a world premier by Second Generation Theatre onstage at Shea’s Smith Theatre, is the work of the uber-creative Kelly Copps and it’s hysterically funny and completely charming. Bowler Pete (Connor Graham) is divorced and ready to date again and he decides to make the first date in his comfort zone: the bowling alley. He’s already told his teammates he can’t practice that night, but lo and behold, they show up to prep for the big match anyway.  They aren’t going to budge from their lucky lane and when they find out what’s going on with Pete, well,  it’s just too tantalizing to miss.

Copps has created an ensemble piece with adorably nerdy and loveable characters: Pete the nervous dater; Alexandria Watts as the girl he thinks is his date; teammates Buster (Jacob Albarella); CJ (Nick Lama); and Ronnie (Adam Yellen) have whacky and endearing qualities who unite around their desire to win their next match and support their buddy, too.  Rick Lattimer alternates as Willie, Roger, and Artie, three alley regulars with their own quirks. His entrances and scene-stealing moments give an already colorful cast more nuance. Finally, there’s the date, (Sofia Matlasz), who is the perfect composite of all their predictions. The story is completely relatable, too: who hasn’t put themselves out there in pursuit of someone or something special? It’s always better with your team to cheer you on and support you. Or sometimes point it out when you’re kinda stupid.

Amy Jakiel’s direction kept the pace rolling smooth and speedy. Of course something called The Bowling Play is going to take place in a bowling alley and set designer Spencer Dick captures this vision, right down to the graffiti and handbills.  Lindsay Salamone’s costuming (bowling shirts, of course) and Diane Almeter Jones’ props put you right in the moment.

While I still don’t want to go bowling, I want this group as my ride-or-die buddies. And I want Kelly Copps to write another really funny play for us all to love.

The Bowling Play runs 90 minutes with no intermission until March 10.  Tickets and details are at sheas.org.