Cast memebers of “Least Resistance” perform Friday at the Jamestown Willow Bay Theater. P-J photo by Todd Pullan

“Least Resistance,” an original work by British-born Richard Olson — Walter opened on the stage of the Jamestown Willow Bay Theater Friday compelling the audience to reflect on a dozen or more compelling gut wrenching stories about drug addiction with hope in recovery. It is an anthology of stories derived from interviews from addicts, family members, loved ones and counselors with the intent to uncover the human side of these issues to break down walls and inspire community.

“This is a story about addiction, but it is also a story about hope,” states Steven Michael Cobb, the plays director and associate director of the Mental Health Association. The play is presented by the Winged Ox Players of St. Luke’s Church and features their company and several community members. The cast includes: Kristina Benson, Matt Smith, Emily Hanson, Marge Fiore, Sean Jones, Clyde Card, Adam Hughes, Luanne Wanamaker, Gavin Card, Willow Fodor, Paige Cummings, John Pickett, Russell Lee, Anne Eklund, Vince DeJoy, LeeAnn Lazarony, Cathy Smith, Renee Posey, Rycheigh Allan and Olson – Walter.

The Reverend Luke Fodor, Pastor of St. Luke’s stated, “We wanted to do something that would engage the community and connect them, and storytelling is one of the most powerful methods of connecting people. Somehow stories look past the statistics, and the frustration and the anger, and try to dig deeper. So ‘Least Resistance’ is actually more than just a play, but there’s an outreach component of it, as well, that we hope will extend outside of Jamestown.”

This original work was premiered on a run-way unit stage in the round where facing the stage would appear to allow more complete viewing of the multiple scenes which included addict apartments, counselor offices, wanting rooms and the beach. Amanda Barton acoustic artist sang some original work and provided interlude for the march of set pieces that grounded the scenes. The audience was varied from bald, gray, baseball capped, pierced, inked and chromatically coiffured but all appeared pulled into the scenes especially in the first act which was tighter and more easily understood. Paige Cummings was incredibly believable as the addict Jenny whose life was sparred by her mother who administered Narcan. The use of this life saving medication was a common production theme. Olson-Walter was creative with the inclusion of several parent plants that were emotional, “my daughter was not thankful, my son screamed at me because I ruined their high.”

Matt Smith’s character was sited as the man but most frequently appeared to the inpatient or outpatient drug counselor always with clean and controlled delivery providing a plethora of pertinent issue suggestions jail is not rehab, missed opportunities, tough love, bad advice and why ask the police about addiction – after all you don’t do to the dentist for a haircut.” There was a student, professor and counselor triangle formed vignette that resulted in a confusing theme “never follow the white coats, respect authority, hold them accountable and always ask questions.” A secondary theme appeared to be “copied nonsense.”

Adam Hughes was compelling as the hospital gowned soldier affected by posttraumatic stress disorder who dropped to his knees fearful of the sounded flashbacks of war that resulted in a thirty-two-pill habit, alcohol, heroine, cocaine and a suicide attempt. This exposed the military issues of war and poor community reintegration.

The ripple effect of addiction affects the whole family where grandparents end up raising their grandchildren. Sean Jones’s portrayal of the grandfather was aggressive “I’m not ready for another baby,” and Marge Fiore was more endearing as the grandmother who encouraged holding their grandchild which resulted in a sweet and tender embrace.

Anne (LeeAnn Lazarony) and Ruth (Kristina Benson) compared stories of addiction where Anne’s husband had been clean for eighteen years until “life happened – he lost his job, fell off the wagon, old habits and lies.” Ruth stated the journey of addiction is a disease. It was intermission and the hubbub at the top of the show was a silent still.

It appeared that Act Two was less refined providing facts that appeared disjointed complicated and cluttered specific to morphine, heroin and oxycodone. “We stand by, watch, and act dumb as we listen to medical advice, take (overly) prescribed drugs and become addicts. An interesting thought was prosed in a Chris Christie Huff Post video that if we are pro-life we need to be pro-life (throughout the lifespan).

Other dynamic and pertinent issues were struck regarding psychiatric meds in jail, false positives, and system failure. One of the parents offered suggestions to improve jail intake, medication selection, and transitional assistance between jails – community.

A closing scene was thought provoking where a counselor was cutting out obituaries to recognize the people that he never met because of the stigma associated with addiction. He spoke how families need to be open and honest recognizing that recovery is a work in process. We need to talk more. Communicate and listen to allow the walls to crumble as we care for each other and try to understand.

This premier “Least Resistance,” a work -in process is recommended to the community to remove their blindfolds, to pay attention and love one another, to reduce the stigma of addiction and to stand in a spirit of hope and recovery.

Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. on: Saturday, April 29; Friday, May 5; and Saturday; May 6 at the Willow Bay Theater, 21 E. Third St. located on the fourth floor of the former Masonic Temple, corner of Third and Pine in Jamestown, New York. There will be no cost for admission, although patrons 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. An offering will be collected each night to benefit the United Christian Advocacy Mission, (former Union Gospel Mission) which has recently reopened in the city of Jamestown.