Joe Pantoliano to Bring Documentary NO KIDDING! ME TOO! to Ridgefield Playhouse, 5/13

Not a lot of people may know about The Ridgefield Prevention Council (RPC), an organization dedicated to providing information and education to our community in an effort to support families and reduce high-risk behaviors in our youth population. The RPC offers programs to build awareness through educational outreach, youth leadership initiatives and community events such as No Kidding! Me Too!!, which will take place with actor Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos, Memento, The Matrix) at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Wednesday, May 13, at 7 p.m. Pantoliano makes his documentary film directorial debut as part of his fight against the stigma and shame of mental/brain disease. This empowering film brings to light the nearly 100 million Americans suffering in isolation. Candid, often humorous discussions with Pantoliano and his family on their own struggle with his clinical depression, as well as the compelling stories of six other people from all walks of life, all affected differently by mental illness, including a brain surgeon with bipolar disorder and three HIGH SCHOOL students managing bipolar disorder and clinical depression, are part of the film. Each frankly discusses the struggle before diagnosis, with attempts at self-medication and other destructive behavior, as well as the hope and encouragement they discover when managing their own recovery and finally realizing they are not alone. There will be a silent auction in the lobby at 6:30 p.m. to benefit the non-profit No Kidding! Me Too!! organization. This event is underwritten by The Ridgefield Prevention Council and Silver Hill Hospital and is part of HamletHub's "A Whole New You Series".

The film creates an inspiring vision of a society that "stomps the stigma", as those impacted by mental illness are surprised to find millions of others like themselves, saying, "No Kidding! Me Too!!" This event is being offered in conjunction with May is Mental Health Month 2015. For more than 65 years, Mental Health America and its affiliates across the country have led the observance of May as Mental Health Month by reaching millions of people through the media, local events and screenings. Their FOCUS is to spread the word that mental health is something everyone should care about.

For tickets ($10 suggested donation?with all proceeds benefiting No Kidding! Me Too!!, a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity, whose mission is to remove the stigma attached with brain disease), call the box office at 203-438-5795. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.