Article Contributed by
Winged Ox Players
“Least Resistance,” an original play about addiction, recovery and hope, will be presented by the Winged Ox Players on consecutive weekends, April 28 and 29, and May 5 & 6 at the Willow Bay Theater, 21 E 3rd St, Jamestown, NY at 7:30 p.m.
“Least Resistance” explores the addiction epidemic through the personal stories of members of our own community. The play is the result of nearly two years of work by local playwright Richard Olson-Walter. He interviewed dozens of Jamestown residents who have been touched by addiction, including family members, counselors, loved ones and addicts themselves. The resulting script is an anthology of stories; some based from those interviews, some written by locals themselves, and the remaining few reflections on the issue as imagined by Olson-Walter himself.
Director Steven Michael Cobb, who is also the Associate Director of the Mental Health Association in Jamestown, has been intimately involved with the project. A recovering addict himself, he feels that the intention of the production is to uncover the human side of the issue to help us all work together to solve the problem.
“This play is a story about addiction, but it is also a story about hope,” Cobb said. “So often we open the paper or turn on the radio and read about the negative things; the obituaries of young people lost to addiction and the police raids trying to rid our community of this scourge. These stories help us see through the stigma and into the lives and hearts of the individuals who have been touched by addiction. It is our hope that you will leave the theater changed by what you have seen. It is a beautiful play and we really hope that everyone can join us.”
The cast of the play is made up of a combination of well-known local actors and a few new faces. Local musician Amanda Barton will be a part of the production as well.
There will be no cost for admission, although theater-goers are encouraged to reserve seats online in advance at www.leastresistance.org. Tickets will be available at the door on the nights of the performance – reservation holders will receive preferential seating. A free will offering will be collected each night to benefit the UCAN Mission, which has recently reopened in the city of Jamestown.
The Labyrinth Press Company, 12 E Fourth Street, will also remain open until 11 p.m. on the nights of the performance offering after show refreshments. Cobb and Olson-Walter will be on hand at the Labyrinth following the Friday, May 5th performance for a Q&A session.
The Winged Ox Players is a ministry of St. Luke Episcopal Church that engages the theatrical talents of the greater Jamestown area to present plays that inspire conversations about our community. Individuals interested in more information about the Players are asked to contact Steven Cobb at 716-499-5142. More information about “Least Resistance” can be found at www.leastresistance.org.
