Blindsided

(LOS ANGELES — May 6, 2019) Suicide is a difficult subject to tackle on stage, but comedian and character performer Jeannette Rizzi faces it head-on in her acclaimed solo production, Blindsided. (Hudson Guild Theater, as part of the 2019 Hollywood Fringe.) As raw as it is funny, Blindsided is a personal journey about how Rizzi — at the age of 17 — sees her life dive into a tailspin after the suicide of her best friend Katie. Despite being the daughter of a former monk and former nun (yes, really), Rizzi nonetheless struggles to find her spiritual and emotional compass, while facing off against her debilitating anxiety and depression.

Proceeds from her Hollywood Fringe performances will be donated to Teen Line, a Los Angeles-based hotline where teens can reach out to trained teen volunteers for guidance and support. To date, Rizzi has helped raise over $10,000 for various mental health services and initiatives.

Even with its weighty subject matter, Blindsided sees Rizzi consistent