[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Breakup Addict written and performed by Paige Wilhide, and directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Upcoming dates are February 12 at The Whitefire Theatre Solofest.
We’ve all been there. Broken up and broken hearted. Obsessing over what we did wrong or why they didn’t want us. Looking for love in all the wrong places and then wondering why relationships don’t work when we have such low expectations. All classic mishaps and, apart from a dented ego and a few tears, nothing to worry too much about. But Paige Wilhide’s Breakup Addict is a far deeper dive into obsessive-compulsive addictive behaviour and its inevitably disastrous results on our already high-stress lives and precarious hearts.
Paige walks us through her life so far in the dating and doting world. Her earliest heartbreaks, something completely normal for girls seemed that much harsher for her. How she sought solace in one-night stands, while still pining over boyfriends. Trying to prove her worth with sex and never finding it. How all this bad and sometimes dangerous behaviour landed her in some very tight spots and eventually in rehab. Love really can be an addiction. And the effects of this addiction can have just as many brutal and harmful ramifications as any other addiction. Trying to be perfect, skinny, fit so anyone would love her created eating disorders and self harm.
Paige tells her story with openness and candor, grace and a healthy helping of humor. She presents herself as the warrior she truly is, having triumphed over her darker urges and addiction, although, of course, it’s an ongoing struggle.
Every story of her journey is brilliantly told in captivating and uplifting words. She is captivating. Open, honest, sweet and thoughtful. She guides us through her revelations with her wicked wit and her hard-fought wisdom. Breakup Addict is a brilliant solo play.
I know, I know, I am a bit of a solo addict. But trust me when I tell you that this woman is otherworldly good.
Solo shows must have heart and they must have purpose. Not just the purpose of a funny line and a cute story. Purpose in a life-changing kind of way…and not just for the performer. It must mean something. It must reach down deep inside you and flick a lonely switch. Breakup Addict did that for me. I saw myself. I saw my mistakes and my longings and I felt understood.
Paige Wilhide….what an awesome name by the way…is an excellent and gifted performer with a wizard’s way with words. I loved this show. Deeply.
Luckily for all of us she is performing it again during the Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest on February 12…cunningly close to Valentine’s day!!! I dare you not to be there!!
She is also, and this is particularly dreamy I think, a breakup coach. Really! Paige has her own website and she actually helps others through their own breakups. Talk about a Pheonix from the flame! How wonderful is that?
https://www.breakupbreakthrough.com/
https://www.instagram.com/paigewilhide/
https://linktr.ee/paigewilhide
