By Special to the AFRO
“From Addiction to Deliverance,” a highly acclaimed stage play by Ursula Battle, returns to Baltimore for encore performances on Feb. 24. The show will begin promptl at 1 p.m. at the Sollers Point Multipurpose center, located at 323 Sollers Point Road in Dundalk, Md.
Ursula Battle, a journalist and playwright for over 20 years says, “this play is a must see.”
The stop in Dundalk is only a small piece of the 2023-2024 tour that has been wowing audiences across the country.
“Everyone knows someone who is suffering or has suffered from some form of addiction,” Battle told the AFRO.
The play’s storyline focuses on the lives of six individuals– males and females– who are three months into their recovery journeys after suffering from various addictions.
Ursula V. Battle’s Serenity House will present the stage play “From Addiction to Deliverance” at Sollers Point Multipurpose Center on Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. (Courtesy photo)
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges 21 million Americans suffer from addiction and one and five don’t know where to go for help.
Dr. Gregory Branch, who directs the play, asked Battle to write “From Addiction to Deliverance.” Branch is the director and health officer for the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services, and has been in public health for 20 years.
“It was my love for theater, a desire to put a human face on addiction the problems our communities are experiencing that encouraged me to ask her,” Branch said. “This production helps remove the stigma surrounding addiction. It gives people a view into the life of an addict and how one can move from addiction to recovery. It is a difficult road. It helps the audience to see addiction as the disease it is,” Branch told the AFRO.
“I’ve been approached by people who experienced this production asking for help for the disease or for someone they know suffering addiction, “says Battle. “We knew we were onto something when hosting open auditions. Dr. Branch and I encountered a woman on the street overdosing and he immediately went to his car, grabbed some Narcan and helped save her life. To me, that was a sign that this play was something we needed to do,” said Battle.
According to both Battle and Branch, “From Addiction to Deliverance” is not just entertaining–it is informative, educational and transformative.
“It is not just about addiction, but forgiveness and the situations addicts encounter along their journey to recovery,” said Battle.
“From Addiction to Deliverance” is also a testament to the talent in the Baltimore area– from teenagers to seniors. The singing, dancing, laughing, crying and portrayal of their characters is riveting,” said Battle.
“From Addiction to Deliverance” is rated PG-13, due to some strong content and profanity.
For more information or to purchase tickets call 443-531-4787 or 443-531-5830. You can also visit www.battlestageplays.com.
