NEW ULM - A former criminal, mental patient and homeless wino turned national comedian will be onstage Friday night at the New Ulm District Administrative Center.
The presentation by Mark Lundholm is offered in conjunction with the New Ulm Medical Center's observance of its 25th anniversary in providing substance abuse treatment services.
"First Thought Wrong/Perfectly Broken" A Night of 12-Step Humor is the title of his presentation.
Lundholm, who has appeared on Comedy Central, will detail his addiction battles and address personality disorders, family dysfunction, relationship challenges, fractured success, mismanaged gifts and how to rise about life's debris in a thought-provoking, fast-paced, PG-rated show.
Lundholm's performance schedule stretches form the Florida Keys Musicfest to Harvey's Comedy Club in Portland, Ore.
Clean and sober since 1988, he designed a recovery board game, did a one-man off-Broadway show in New York City and created "Humor in Treatment," an educational DVD series.
Lundholm took a shot at some of the most popular TV shows on his website.
"If you watch reality TV, you aren't really living ...you are impersonating a real person," Lundholm said. "Reality TV is like saying expert parent, intelligent bigot, sleepy meth-head, honest politician, sober alcoholic."
"The only true reality TV program is a documentary. A candid, honest look at neighbors, prisons, politics, students, war, religion, racism," he added.
Instead of watching your favorite reality show, Lundholm recommended positive activities like exercise, playing with your children, reading a book, gardening or visiting family, friends and neighbors.
"Come see my show if you get the time. It's very real," he said.
Part of Recovery Month, which is celebrated in treatment centers and Drug Courts, the show is sponsored by New Ulm Medical Center, celebrating its 25th anniversary of substance abuse treatment services.
Tickets: $20 at New Ulm Medical Center (NUMC), CashWise, Hy-Vee, New Ulm Chamber, Lola's Larkspur Market, Grand Karbaret, the NUMC Mankato Office or call 507-233-1672
(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).
