Alice Barrett Mitchell Joins Cast of FOR MAMMA at Theater for the New City

Alice Barrett Mitchell has been cast as Pia in For Mamma, a new stage play that explores the plight of a biracial gay man's struggle to keep his mother alive while dealing with government red tape and a caseworker's prejudice. The piece is being presented as part of a Scratch Night at Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Artistic Director).

Written by Frank J. Avella, the semi-staged reading will also feature Alex Haynes, Paul Pakler & Tiziana Guarini as Mamma. Stage Directions will be read by Matthew Sells.

The event is Monday, November 20th at 7pm at Theater for the New City. 

What happens when a middle-aged, low-income, biracial, gay man (4 strikes!) is forced to try and figure out how to keep his ailing Sicilian mother alive and, also, keep his family home? He elicits the help of a novice attorney and they both take on an intolerant, jaded caseworker bent on sabotaging things. As real turns surreal, a drastic decision alters everyone's reality.

For Mamma is a genre mash-up that hopes to foster dialogue about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class and prejudice in the U.S. today as well as the power patriarchy and erosion of basic human rights.

Admission is free ($5 suggested donation for TNC). Wine and Cheese Reception. To reserve seats email vaticanfalls@gmail.com or call 973-715-2356. Theatre for the New City is located at 155 1st Avenue between East 9th and 10th Streets, NYC. Subways: 6 (Astor Place), L (1st Av), N, R (8th St - NYU).

Alice Barrett Mitchell - Theatre: Jake's Women on Broadway, The Plantation, Major Barbara, Doubt, American Clock, Farhenheit 451, among others. Film: Weakness, Twelve, 13, Brooklyn's Finest, Choke. Television: Law & Order: SVU, Donny!, The Following, Power, Conviction, Another World, many other shows and commercials.

Frank J. Avella is the recipient of a 2018 Bogliasco Foundation Fellowship. He also received a 2015 Fellowship Award from the NJ State Council on the Arts as well as the 2016 Helene Wurlitzer Residency Grant & Chesley/Bumbalo Foundation Playwright Award for his play, Consent. Other works include: Vatican Falls (2013 O'Neill Special Mention, 2017 Planet Connections Festivity--nominated for Outstanding Playwriting). Lured (2016 Dream Up Festival, 2017 William Inge Theater Festival), Iris (Know Theatre 2005), Michael's #1 Fan, The Bubble, The Mad Ones & Orville Station (published in the UK by Lazy Bee Scripts). He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

Photo Credit: John David West