ITOPA presents 7-10 Split after a five-year-long wait

(Left to right) Adam Tanton, Becky Tanton, Nick Shua, and Crystal Paul bring lots of laughs in ITOPA’s production of 7-10 Split with both funny lines and physical comedy. (Emily Stewart Photo).

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

After putting 7-10 Split and bowling paraphernalia on the back burner for half a decade, the Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts (ITOPA) is finally ready to bring the comedy to the stage.

ITOPA will kick off its 2025/2026 season with Michael G. Wilmot’s 7-10 Split.

The Canadian comedy will run from Oct. 11 to 19. The play focuses on Earl, a former professional bowler constantly in get-rich-quick schemes, and the shenanigans that follow with one particular Internet offer from a wealthy prince claiming he can save Earl’s fortune.

"If you need a night of absolute laughter and hilarity, this is the show to see,” said director Rebecca McNall. “We are running it in the style of trailer-trash, and it's just going to be non-stop gags, non-stop hilarious lines. And the cast, you couldn't ask for a better cast of characters to fill the roles. They just fall into the roles just like it was them. It's just so good, I love it."

The cast includes husband and wife Adam and Becky Tanton, longtime ITOPA performer Crystal Paul and newcomer Nick Shua. The performance takes place inside the living room of a trailer, and the set dimensions are the same as a house trailer’s living room.

"It's even more of a challenge, which is fun, to get the blocking and to get them so they're not just sitting still for the whole thing, so it's going to be a ball. It's going to be so much fun,” said McNall, who is thrilled to finally bring the play to the stage.

ITOPA was to initially present the play in 2020, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions.

“We've had bowling balls and bowling trophies hidden around the theatre for five years because we didn't want to throw them out because we knew that eventually, 7-10 Split would go on stage, so it feels so great to start bringing everything out,” she said. “It's awesome."

The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. for evening performances and 2 p.m. for matinee performances. Tickets are $26 for adults, $24 for seniors, $22 for students 12 years old and older, and $10 for students under 12 years old. Every Thursday performance for the 2025/2026 season will have $10 tickets for all seats.

To purchase tickets, either visit the box office on 88 Thames St., call 519-485-3070, or visit online via www.itopa.ca.