This Sunday, March 16th at 3 PM, the critically acclaimed autobiographical play In My Own Little Corner: My Moods, My Mom & Me, written and performed by Broadway and television actress Chryssie Whitehead, will be filmed live at The Riverside Theater in New York City. The performance, which will also include a post-show talkback, is part of an ongoing effort to normalize conversations around mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The 70-minute performance, followed by a brief intermission and a 30-minute post-show discussion, explores Whitehead’s deeply personal journey with her own bipolar disorder diagnosis at 38 and her relationship with her late mother, who struggled with mental health issues but never received the care she needed. This powerful narrative weaves together humor, tragedy, and love to reveal the generational patterns of mental health struggles between mother and daughter. Whitehead’s mission is clear: to break the silence surrounding mental health, offer a platform for those affected, and empower individuals to seek the help they deserve without shame.
Whitehead, a seasoned actress known for her Broadway roles in A Chorus Line and Company, as well as television appearances on Grey’s Anatomy and West Side Story, brings her own lived experience to the stage. She aims to provide both humor and healing through the performance, showing the raw, honest reality of living with mental illness while honoring the legacy of her late mother, whose life was cut short by neglecting mental health care.
Following the performance, Whitehead will join a licensed mental health professional for an intimate talkback to further discuss the play’s themes and give the audience tools and language to support loved ones with mental health conditions. The aim of the filmed live capture is to extend the conversation beyond the theater and reach a global audience, making mental health discussions more mainstream and less taboo.
The production is directed by Bryan Knowlton, with musical direction by Nick Wilders, who brings a rich sound to the performance, along with a talented ensemble of musicians. Whitehead’s story is brought to life with poignant musical arrangements that underscore the emotional gravity of her narrative.
With the live capture of this performance, the creators hope to reach a wider audience than theatergoers alone, continuing to spread Whitehead’s important message. The play has already enjoyed a successful run, with previous performances at Riverside Theatre and a critically acclaimed run at the Abrons Arts Center. Additionally, Whitehead’s work has taken the production on a seven-city tour across the United States, with future plans to secure a distribution deal for educational platforms to further expand the conversation on mental health.
The play is also supported by a talented creative team including producers Anant Das and Kirsten Wrinkle, whose passion for advocating for mental health awareness extends beyond the theater into community involvement.
For more information on In My Own Little Corner and to purchase tickets for the live capture, visit www.imolctheshow.com.
This performance is more than just a show—it's a movement to change how we talk about mental health, honoring the stories of those affected and creating a safe space for vulnerability and healing.
