Mitchell Anderson - You Better Call Your Mother

Actor turned chef Mitchell Anderson spent his early career trying to live partially in and partially out of the Hollywood closet.  His spontaneous decision to "come out" at the 1996 GLAAD Media Awards changed his life.  Told in a series of monologues and songs, YOU BETTER CALL YOUR MOTHER looks back at his 60+ years and how he went from closeted actor to accidental activist - finding happiness, true love, and respect along the way.

Written during the COVID pandemic as an “isolation project,” YOU BETTER CALL YOUR MOTHER was first performed at Synchronicty theatre in Atlanta, GA November 2-5, 2021. The play was chosen as an official selection for the spring 2023 UNITED SOLO THEATRE FESTIVAL in New York City where it had two sold-out shows at Theatre Row on 42nd street and Mitchell Anderson won the festival’s Best Actor honor. YBCYM was remounted for a second Atlanta run in July of 2023 at Out Front Theatre Company, and was performed at Anderson’s alma mater, Williams College, in June 2023. Anderson is returning to his hometown, Jamestown, NY for two performances in September 2023 to benefit Jamestown Pride and The AIDS Memorial Park.

About the author/performer:

Mitchell Anderson, owner and executive chef of MetroFresh in Atlanta, GA had a nearly 20-year professional acting career. He is best known for roles in DOOGIE HOWSER, MD, PARTY OF FIVE, THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY, JAWS: THE REVNGE, and RELAX, IT’S JUST SEX.  In 2018, Anderson came out of “acting” retirement and starred in the award-winning digital series, AFTER FOREVER (Amazon Prime) for which he received an Emmy nomination for Best Actor in a Digital Series. Season three of AFTER FOREVER drops fall 2023. YOU BETTER CALL YOUR MOTHER is Anderson’s first play, but he has a self-published cookbook called, FOOD & THOUGHT with recipes from the MetroFresh Daily Menu and excerpts of more than 15 years of daily blogs. He lives in Atlanta, GA with his husband of 26 years, Richie Arpino.

About the director:

Courtenay Collins, Director, originated the role of Mrs. Greene in the Tony Nominated Broadway musical, THE PROM. Her popular Christmas show, Courtenay’s Cabaret - Home for the Holidays played for two seasons at The Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, GA. Courtenay has performed on the stages of The Alliance Theatre, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, The Lyric Theatre, and Actor’s Express all popular Atlanta area theatres.  She is a graduate of the Juilliard Drama Program. You Better Call Your Mother is her directorial debut. Instagram @courtenay.collins