A One-Woman Show That Laughs, Cries, and Connects
Actress, writer, and producer Jessica Lia Berry brings her darkly comedic and deeply personal one-woman show I’m Still Not That Girl to the stage, blending sharp wit, heartbreak, and humor into an experience that is as moving as it is hilarious. Following its debut at the United Solo Fest in New York City, the show sold out both nights, marking another milestone for Berry, who previously earned acclaim at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Directed by Bailey Nassetta, the seventy-minute performance captures the chaos of modern womanhood, grief, and identity with disarming honesty. What begins as a downward spiral quickly becomes a celebration of self-worth and survival, reminding audiences that sometimes the only way to heal is to laugh through the pain.
From Hollywood to New York – and Two Sold-Out Shows
Berry’s return to the stage brought I’m Still Not That Girl to both coasts, continuing the momentum from her Los Angeles run.
Hollywood? No problem. New York City? No problem. Two sold-out shows in each city? Absolutely no problem.
The story—loosely inspired by Berry’s own life—follows a woman who moves from New York to Los Angeles with her boyfriend, only to get dumped shortly after. What follows is a comedic, messy, and relatable journey through bad hookups, fake engagements, a maybe-pregnancy, and just enough therapy to make up for all the years she avoided it.
But beneath the laughs lies something deeper: the grief of losing her mother and the resilience of rediscovering herself in a world that doesn’t slow down for anyone.
Jessica Lia Berry: “To sell out two shows in New York City was surreal! I’m so grateful. I remember being a kid, watching major artists sell out shows in New York and thinking, one day, I want to do that too.
To actually experience that as an artist, especially in today’s world where everything happens online and in a few minutes or less, felt incredible. The audience was so engaged—they laughed, they connected, and the response was amazing. My show ran seventy minutes, but the energy in that room made it feel timeless. That’s a feeling I’ll never forget.”
Bailey Nassetta: “It’s tough to sell out in New York because there are so many shows happening all the time. So it felt crazy, exciting, and like a huge success. And of course Jess was wearing multiple hats, one of which was being a producer. It’s really thanks to her hard work that this sellout was possible.
The energy of a packed house allows the material to reach new heights—heights it deserves, heights Jess deserves.”
A Comedy Rooted in Grief and Growth
I’m Still Not That Girl is more than a comedy—it’s a conversation about loss, identity, and what it means to keep moving forward when the roadmap disappears.
Berry’s performance swings from laugh-out-loud moments to emotional vulnerability without ever missing a beat. Whether she’s riffing on bad dating decisions or reflecting on her mother’s memory, she keeps the audience captivated through physical comedy, character shifts, and deeply relatable dialogue.
The show blends dark humor with heartfelt sincerity. It’s raw, unapologetic, and perfectly messy, much like life itself.
Jessica Lia Berry: “This moment in my life is such a huge milestone. I’m sharing something that’s not only creative but deeply personal, and you never really know what that response is going to be, right?
It’s also something I don’t get to share with my mom, who’s passed. I kind of look at it like getting married or having your first child—one of those moments you dream about sharing with your parents. Unfortunately, I don’t have that anymore, so being able to share this work and feel the love and support that came with it truly meant the world to me.
I just hope people connect to it at its core. I hope they laugh, maybe even call their moms. And deeper than that, I hope they forgive themselves for not having it all figured out.”
That openness is what grounds the show’s emotional core. For director Bailey Nassetta, the collaboration with Berry was as much about trust as it was about artistry.
Bailey Nassetta: “I hope audiences connect with the idea that life doesn’t always follow the path others expect—and that’s okay. You lose yourself, you rebuild, and you grow grateful for every turn along the way. Jess’s story shows that self-acceptance isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing the chaos.”
Together, their creative partnership transforms pain into perspective, turning vulnerability into power and shared laughter into collective healing.
Performance, Purpose, and Personal Connection
For seventy uninterrupted minutes, Berry moves through a kaleidoscope of characters, emotions, and truths. The show’s pacing feels effortless, but it’s the product of tireless rehearsals and an unshakable bond between artist and director.
Nassetta’s direction keeps the energy alive without overwhelming the intimacy of Berry’s storytelling. Music sets the mood, sound bites enhance transitions, and clever use of props makes each vignette feel cinematic.
It’s theater at its best—alive, spontaneous, and anchored in authenticity. While it’s not afraid to tackle grief, motherhood, and mental health, the humor always shines through. The show speaks to anyone who has ever felt lost, loved fiercely, or tried to hold it all together while the world fell apart.
The Road Ahead
With sold-out runs on both coasts and glowing audience feedback, I’m Still Not That Girl continues to evolve as both an artistic expression and a personal journey.
Berry plans to bring the production back to more stages while developing a television adaptation that expands on its central themes of humor, healing, and self-discovery.
Both Berry and Nassetta view the piece not just as entertainment but as a shared act of catharsis—proof that art, humor, and vulnerability can exist in the same breath.
Final Word
I’m Still Not That Girl is bold, honest, and heartbreakingly funny, a mirror held up to the chaos of modern life. Jessica Lia Berry commands the stage with charm, vulnerability, and impeccable comedic timing rooted in real emotion. This is storytelling that heals, entertains, and reminds us that imperfection might just be our greatest strength.
WATCH: Jessica Lia Berry Breaks Down Her One-Woman Show “I’m Still Not That Girl” | Interview
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I’m a dedicated aficionado of all things movies, pop culture, and entertainment. With a passion for storytelling and a love for the silver screen, I’m constantly immersed in the world of cinema, exploring new releases, classics, and hidden gems alike. As a fervent advocate for the power of film to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought, I enjoy sharing my insights, reviews, and recommendations with fellow enthusiasts.