Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Exuberating Award-Winning Play BREAKUP ADDICT by Paige Wilhide, is a lavishly abundant romantic obsession of a love addict who is avoiding the sense of feeling vulnerable by becoming seriously distracted with sexual attraction to unavailable men. Staying enslaved to the emotional dependency of those numerous nights and the overwhelming consumption of alcohol, the feeling of incompleteness overtakes her when left alone. In order to avoid stress, fear, loneliness, and serious suffering through breakups, Paige does anything to keep those men from leaving. And she remembers there were many men. In the end, she gets to the conclusion that all those experiences are just lessons to understand yourself better and see your own patterns, which lead to changing those habits and even possibly finding God one day, somewhere along the way. Glorious!
Written and performed by Paige Wilhide, BREAKUP ADDICT is performed with humor and explores the repetitive patterns of falling into unhealthy habits. Losing her self-worth and damaging herself through so many breakups causes her to eventually ask herself, 'What did I learn about relationships?' Brilliantly told with captivating and uplifting words, Paige concludes how many young girls today can associate with the same addiction and how they can easily confuse love with neediness.
Paige Wilhide is a writer, actor, serial entrepreneur and empowerment coach, living in Los Angeles, California. After many breakups, Paige launched her coaching business out of a desire to help and support men and women in finding safe continuance of their journeys after their own heartbreaks. Her recovery from love addiction was the main inspiration for her debut in this solo show.
Breakup Addict is splendidly directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson, herself a published playwright. Jessica has worked in the development of over one hundred solo shows, some taking home awards such as TOP OF FRINGE!
This uplifting comedy, which won a 2023 Solofest Best of Fest Official Selection, not only uncovers how to build a relationship with yourself but also addresses that 12-step programs for addictions can help with any dependency.
This Hollywood Fringe Festival show returned to The Zephyr Theatre (7456 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046) for three shows beginning on Sunday, June 4th at 5 p.m. with performances on Friday, June 16th at 9 pm and Saturday, June 24th at 2 pm.
Tickets are $25 and available May 1st at:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9683
(VIP ticket includes Breakup Addict swag bag, valued at $40, and reserved premium seating): $50