Healing and Forgiveness with Christina Crawford of “Mommie Dearest.”

Noah L. Jordan

Out Front caught up with Crawford to talk about her upcoming production, the early years, and what’s next for the cult queen. And there were no wire hangers involved.

No one can be prepared for everything, but after a life and career full of the unexpected, Christina Crawford, adopted daughter of Joan Crawford and author of the controversial book “Mommie Dearest,” has somehow found a way to work. Now, many years later Crawford is parlaying her previous success into a new adventure. In June, she will take the stage at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret in an off-Broadway documentary titled, “Surviving Mommie Dearest.”

Tell me a little bit about “Surviving Mommie Dearest.”

“Surviving Mommie Dearest” is a documentary covering my early life — complete with a home movie segment — and continues well after the first book. It is a story of triumph after many tears. It is about survival and hope for a better future.

What was the development process like for this production?

The development took about a year because it started out as a one-woman/multimedia show and morphed into a documentary. The producer (Jerry Rosenberg) and I went through several editors and many changes. Happily, we received four film festival awards and a 2013 Telly Award for excellence in non-broadcast production.

Your life has taken quite a few twists and turns, and in a very public way. How do you handle it?

I have been a public person all my life, beginning with the publicity of Joan Crawford’s career when I was a little girl; however, I have learned how to live quietly and privately when I am not working and in the public eye.

Throughout your life and career, you have helped bring family violence to the public eye — what advice do you have for people?

My life is the best advice I can give — everyone is different and the healing process is hard work, which some don’t wish to do. Sometimes it’s necessary to move away from the destructive environment in order to change. I am always asked about “forgiveness” and I say that forgiveness is a two-way street. Unless the other person asks for it and is willing to admit what they have done, the only place to start is with oneself.

Let’s go back the early years. How did you get your start in the acting world? Was your mother a big part of that?

I started acting in school musicals. Then I went to Carnegie Mellon as a drama major, and from there I went to New York City. It was the theater I loved and worked in originally.

And no, instead of being helpful, Joan Crawford was very destructive — as you will see in the documentary.

Shortly after your mother died, you released “Mommie Dearest.” What was your thought process?

The book was originally written as a personal journal. It could not have been released before 1977 because there was no way to know how the relationship would end.

When the movie was released, did you think it would become the cult classic it is today? How do you feel about the portrayal of your life on film?

In my opinion, the movie was a mistake. I did not write it and was never on the set. It is not factually accurate and I wish it had turned out differently. It’s one of the reasons I make sure the book stays in print, so that each generation has the opportunity to read the original story.

What’s next for you?

I have a new book just published, titled “SCAMMED: A True Story of Christina & The General.” It really happened to me, earlier this year. My hope is that people will read it (and access the self-help section in it) before they are seriously harmed financially or emotionally.

“Surviving Mommie Dearest” by Christina Crawford and produced by Jerry Rosenberg plays June 6 and 7 at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret.