In 2021, Mason McCulley, an actor, felt stuck in Los Angeles as he watched his mother’s health decline in Birmingham, Ala., from afar.

“Life was dark,” said Mr. McCulley, 42, noting that his mother was suffering from frontotemporal dementia. “I was avoiding my mother’s illness and her impending death, and I was drinking way too much.”

Birmingham, Alabama's theatre treasure, Virginia Samford Theatre, has announced its 2025-2026 season opening with CAROLE COOK DIED FOR MY SINS this September.

A Birmingham native has returned to his hometown from Los Angeles to share his coming-of-age story as a new one-man show. 

The show, “Carole Cook Died For My Sins” written by and starring Mason McCulley, will be at the Virginia Samford Theatre at Caldwell Park from Sept. 18-21. The show contains mature themes, so keep the kids at home for this one. 

The season, which has been dubbed as “The Season of Hope,” is opening with “Carole Cook Died for My Sins,” a solo show by Birmingham native Mason McCulley. The show is directed by Cameron Watson, a University of Montevallo alumnus who got his professional start at Virginia Samford Theatre.

"The debut L.A. stage production of  Carole Cook Died For My Sins,  written by Insecure alum Mason McCulley,  and inspired by his longtime friendship with Lucille Ball protégé and close friend Carole Cook opens at the Skylight Theater on Sunday, Oct. 20, and will run through Sunday, Nov. 10. The solo show will be performed by McCulley and is directed by  L.A. theater director and film writer Cameron Watson (Break a Hip, Our Very Own)."

From stage, "INSECURE," a ton more TV appearances, Mason McCulley pops into The Roundtable with Robert Bannon! He has a brand new show called "Carole Cook Died For My Sins!" We love Carole so we had to find out more!

Insecure alum Mason McCulley has announced a stage production Carole Cook Died For My Sins will have its world premiere at the Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles this fall...

‘Insecure’ alum Mason McCulley talks his forthcoming stage production ‘Carole Cook Died For My Sins’ which he describes as “a gay son’s love letter.”

Mason joins Andrew Cortes & Hope Bird to discuss Carole Cook Died for my Sins

Gil Kaan sits down with Mason to discuss the upcoming run of Carole Cook Died for my Sins.

Christine Fitzgerald sits down with Mason about his upcoming show for Socialite Life

Carole Cook, known for her standout roles in The Lucy Show and Here’s Lucy, left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Now, her legacy is taking center stage once again, thanks to Mason McCulley — her longtime friend and mentee.

Mason sits down with EDGE Media Network to discuss his new show.

In this episode of The Sober Curator, our hosts, Alysse Bryson and Tamar Medford, dive deep into a captivating conversation with actor, artist, and producer Mason McCulley

Mason shares the most meaningful message on grief, all about this one man show “Carol Cook Died for My Sins”, and Hollywood stories.

Actor and playwright Mason McCulley joins Jessalynn for a heartfelt conversation about loss, healing, and transformation