The Los Angeles Benefit Brings the Acclaimed Play to the West Coast with 100% of Proceeds Benefiting NAMI

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a star-studded New York debut that drew industry attention and raised nearly $500,000 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), THIS IS CRAZY! is coming to Los Angeles for a one-night-only benefit performance and afterparty at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Written and directed by Tony and Obie Award-winning playwright V, formerly Eve Ensler, creator of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, the bold, funny, and deeply human play brings together an ensemble of film, television, and theater talent for original monologues exploring mental illness, family, survival, and the complexity of the human experience.

The Los Angeles cast includes Marisa Tomei, Rosanna Arquette, Lois Smith, Rudy Pankow, Rob Morrow, Rachel Hilson, Colette Hayes, Luke Ferrari, and Olivia Oguma with additional participants still to be announced.

Tickets are now on sale for the Tuesday, October 13^th benefit performance and afterparty at The Wallis Annenberg Performing Arts Center in Beverly Hills and are available here.

The evening marks the West Coast bow of the New York project that featured leading artists including Jane Fonda, Edie Falco, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Hilson, Sanaa Lathan, and Lois Smith, underscoring the entertainment community's continued commitment to using storytelling to expand mental health awareness.

Developed as an idea by CAA's Community & Impact (formerly the CAA Foundation), the philanthropic arm of leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), in memory of beloved talent manager Chris Huvane. THIS IS CRAZY! is produced by Ruth-Ann Huvane, mental health advocate and NAMI National Board Member, and Tony Montenieri, executive producer of Lotus Productions. One hundred percent of proceeds from the performance will benefit NAMI.

"Chris was adored by all who had the honor of knowing him. He was outspoken about living with and battling depression for years before he died by suicide. His experience taught us the importance of providing help and support for people and families affected by mental illness. To honor the life and legacy of Chris, my family and I are committed to supporting NAMI's mission to provide advocacy, education, support, and public awareness about mental illness. We are eternally grateful to NAMI, V, and CAA Community & Impact for embarking on this journey to help pay tribute to our brother Chris," said Ruth-Ann Huvane.

"We're thrilled to see this powerful play come to Los Angeles and reach a new audience," said NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. "We're deeply grateful to V, Ruth-Ann, and everyone who has made this performance possible. We've seen how storytelling can open conversations, challenge stigma, and help people feel less alone. The support from this performance will help NAMI continue connecting people and families with the resources, support, and community they need."

"Mental health conditions touch nearly every family in some way," said NAMI Westside Los Angeles, CEO Erin Raftery Ryan. "These challenges affect people of every age, background, and community. NAMI Westside Los Angeles offers free education programs along with support, guidance, and hope for the growing number of Angelenos affected by mental health conditions. Our office works every day to ensure that no one feels alone in their journey—and that individuals and families have access to the support and community they deserve. We respond personally to thousands of requests each year, providing free referral, information, and support—a much-needed lifeline for many."

The views, opinions, and perspectives expressed in this play are solely those of V's and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of NAMI, its board of directors, its affiliates, or its members.

ABOUT NAMI
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Join the conversation at: NAMI.org, Facebook.com/nami, TikTok.com/@nami, Instagram.com/namicommunicate, Twitter.com/namicommunicate, YouTube.com/NAMIvideo, and LinkedIn.com/company/nami.

For more information about NAMI and how you can get involved, visit nami.org

ABOUT CAA COMMUNITY & IMPACT
CAA Community & Impact (formerly CAA Foundation) harnesses the power and reach of the entertainment and sports industry to drive positive social change. Rooted in Creative Artists Agency's (CAA) commitment to being a force for good, the group builds impactful public-private partnerships, mobilizes volunteerism, and helps shape public discourse around critical issues. For more than 30 years, CAA Community & Impact has led work across public education, civic engagement, climate action, and crisis response, while supporting the agency's clients in advancing purpose-driven initiatives. CAA Community & Impact | CAA

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SOURCE National Alliance on Mental Illness