Katie Reitsma reviews Addicted

...Mark Lundholm committed drastic acts in his life, he delivers the positive message well and leaves us nothing but enlightened enjoyment! Wiens is most impressive ...

Katie Reitsma of www.katieloves.com came out to “Addicted” and wrote a review. In addition to writing for Katie Loves, Katie is a Columnist for Beyond Robson (www.beyondrobson.com) and a contributor for Helium (www.helium.com/users/297169/show_articles). In the past she has been Editor-In-Chief of Art Of Influence e-magazine and a freelance writer for Global Agents For Change (www.globalafc.org/catalyst) and other literary sources. She regularly reviews theatre produced bt Arts Club, Presentation House and Playhouse Theatre Company.

After seing “Addicted”, she wrote, ”Richard Wiens plays the role of Mark in this production wonderfully and without bounds. Having embodied a role that could be so controversially received, as Mark Lundholm committed drastic acts in his life, he delivers the positive message well and leaves us nothing but enlightened enjoyment! Wiens is most impressive with his ability to rotate inner voices and deliver a passionate monologue for 90 minutes. His every movement reflects that of the personality he was portraying (as we know there were many for Lundholm)…” READ THE REST OF KATIE’S REVIEW HERE!

Audience reactions to Addicted

Curious about what the audience is saying about the opening night of Addicted?

Here are some facebook posts immediately folloing last nights sold out performance…

Joyce G. said, “Just saw “Addicted–a comedy of substance” tonight at Second Story! It was amazing!! Please go see this play. You’ll laugh, cry and relate!”

And in another post Joyce Writes, “Just saw this show tonight and if you don’t have tickets…get them!!! Richard was amazing in this one man show. It was funny, thought provoking, sad and very well done. Kudos to Richard and those who helped bring it to Second Story.”

Nathan K. posted, “Addicted at second storey theatre is a hard hitting, visceral and raw tale, of ones battle with assorted addictions. Very real. I strongly recommend.”

April S. posted, “It was AWESOME! Thanks so much Aaron. You guys did a great job.”

Stephanie M. posted this with the link to the event page for Addicted, “just got in from watching THE play of the YEAR!!! GO NOW!!!!”

Karly H. wrote, “Just got home from ADDICTED!…. SO GOOD! everyone should watch this show!!! www.thirddegreetheatre.ca for tickets! its at Second Story Theatre in poco!!!”

And Jeff L. said, “just got back from watching quite possibly the best play I have ever seen…Addicted. It was a one man performance at the Second Story Theatre on Shaughnessy in Poco. If you have time Friday or Saturday…go see it!!!”

Thank you everyone, for the magnificent reception of our show! There are still some tickets left for Friday, May 28 and Saturday, May 29. You can get them at the door but let us know you’re comming with a message on facebook or an email to thirddegreetheatre@hotmail.com

Shakespeare was right…

It is the eve before the opening of “Addicted” at the Second Storey Theatre in Port Coquitlam. I cannot describe the extent of the honour I feel in being able to Direct the Canadian Debut of such an impactful story.

I have learned so much from this process. The bonds I have built with my fellow cast and crew will live with me forever. I have experienced so much personal healing, love and friendship through the journey of making this story ready for the stage. I believe it is the purpose of theatre to do these things. Theatre is an art like nothing else; it allows us to share our soul and truth in moments of raw vulnerability without a safety net or protective equipment. Theatre has the power to change lives in one instant while simply entertaining in the next. Shakespeare had it right, “all the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.” Theatre is life.

None of it is possible without the audience… Without you there would be no point in telling the story. You are the alpha and omega of our work and for that I extend my deepest gratitude.

Shakespeare had it right, "All the world is a stage and all the men and woman merely players."

I must thank Richard for his unwavering dedication to be on the spot and torn apart every single rehearsal for more than 10 hours each week. The process of a regular stage play has moments of challenge, in a one-man-show, challenge is a monumental understatement. The degree of vulnerability and risk you demonstrate on stage every second of this journey garners my utmost respect and admiration. I am so very proud of you.

I thank Diana for her dynamic ability to support me in my Directorial process that I am sure often resembles a convention of ADD sufferers. No one has ever quite harnessed the talent to “click” with me in the creative process like she does. Without your ability to be everything that I lack, I would have been lost.

Thanks to Brad for bringing me and this show on board with Third Degree Theatre. The mandate to attract new and seasoned audience to theatre and impact them with art has been the perfect stage for “Addicted”. I love this company and hope that we continue to affect our audiences in these ways for years to come. Your professionalism, support and talent for producing will be the cogs that make Third Degree Theatre everything it can be.

And finally, thank you to Mark Lundholm for not only living the life has been able to touch so many but for courageously telling your story with honesty and sincerity. Thank you for trusting us to carry your message to our community and use your words to connect addicts like us with “healthy” people in the hopes of reminding us simply that we are ALL human. You continue to be a hero to me.

Addicted: A Comedy of Substance
Written by Mark Lundholm
Directed by Aaron S. Davis
Performed by Richard Wiens

May 27, 28, 29, June 4 and 5
Second Storey Theatre
#201-2550 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam, BC
Doors @ 7:30pm Curtain @ 8:00pm
Tickets $15/$10 advance or $20/15 at the door
Get advance tickets at www.thirddegreetheatre.ca