A STAGED READING OF THE NEW PLAY
THE DEMAND OF AVARICE
BY MATTHEW MCLACHLAN
DIRECTED BY DAVID ZAYAS JR.
STARRING DAVID ZAYAS, EVAN HALL, FLORENCIA LOZANO, PETER COLLIER, AND KIRK KOCZANOWSKI
Produced by Chain Theatre and David Rey
When the world’s three wealthiest billionaires wake in a dank basement to find that they have been kidnapped by a masked vigilante, they soon discover that their wealth and power will do nothing to grant them their freedom. In fact, the cost will be far greater than they could ever fathom. This play examines the greed of the wealthy, the anger of the people, and just exactly how far we are willing to let the avarice of the powerful be punished before we lose our own humanity.
FRIDAY OCT 1 AT 8PM
David Zayas (Roy)*
DAVID ZAYAS is best known for his role as Angel Batista on the Golden Globe®-nominated psychological drama “Dexter.” David was just seen as Sal Maroni on the Fox series"Gotham". His other television credits include the role of Junior on the FX series "Saint George", “New York Undercover,” “Law & Order,” and “NYPD Blue.” While working on the crime drama “The Beat,” Zayas met Emmy Award®-winning television writer and producer Tom Fontana, who went on to create the role of Enrique Morales on HBO's “Oz” especially for him.
In film, he has starred in The Expendables, Skyline, 13, Michael Clayton, Sixteen Blocks, The Savages, Bringing Out the Dead, The Yards, Undefeated, Wit, Angel, and The Interpreter. David stars opposite Helen Hunt in the indie feature Ride and was recently seen in the film remake of the 1982 movie musical Annie opposite Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz. David will be seen in the upcoming films: The Lennon Report and Tallulah.
A former New York police officer, Zayas began his acting career in 1992 in theater. He has starred in more than thirty theater productions, including “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train,” “In Arabia We’d All Be Kings,” “Our Lady of 121 St.,” and the Pulitzer Prize®-winning “Anna in the Tropics” on Broadway.
Matthew McLachlan (Playwright)
Matthew McLachlan was born in Scotland, raised in Florida, and currently survives in New York City. He is currently an Artist in Residence with Abingdon Theatre Company. His plays include: The Demand of Avarice, This God Damn House, Jack & Melissa, Orion, and The Place We Are Meant to Be, among others. His plays have been presented by Abingdon Theatre Company, Nylon Fusion, The NOW Collective, The Farm Theater, The PIT, Thespis Theater Festival, New Works Festival, The Midnight Factory, and performed regionally in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Wyoming, & Florida. Other credits include: Screen-Craft Stage Play Quarterfinalist, nominated for Best Writer of a Web-Series (ADULTish), The Roast of Michael Musto (Head-Writer), & his published works A Collection of One-Acts & Other Things You May or May Not Enjoy and full-length play Orion are available now at The Drama Bookshop and on Amazon.
David Zayas Jr. (Director)
David Zayas Jr. is a Director, Actor, Photographer. Originally from the Bronx, NY. Growing up around theater and film, he started becoming more involved, starting with photography. He later joined a theater company, and produced and directed 14 short films with them. Then directed “ The Head Hunter” by Mark Borkowski for a theater festival which got him a nomination for best director. He then joined the director program at the Actors Studio. Now he’s directing his own written short films among others that are in festivals right now such as “Santa Force” by Peter Collier. And “ Uptown Dave” by himself which won him best actor in a super short with the Chain Film Festival.
Evan Hall (Vigilante)
Florencia Lozano (Pamela)*
Florencia is an actor, writer and performance artist. Theatre includes: RINSE, REPEAT (@ SIGNATURE),DEVIL OF CHOICE (LAByrinth) AND SHE WOULD STAND LIKE THIS (Movement Theatre Co),WINNERS (EST), RED DOG HOWLS (NYTW)“Lady Macduff” (Shakespeare in the Park),Placebo (Playwrights’ Horizons), PRIVILEGE (Second Stage), LAST EASTER (MCC), “Where’s My Money?” (MTC/LAB), Dirty Story (LAB). TV includes: The Baker and the Beauty, Gossip Girl, Blue Bloods, Ugly Betty, Law and Order:SVU&CI, The Mysteries of Laura, Madame Secretary, Kevin Can Wait, The Blacklist and ENEMY WITHIN. She played “Claudia Messina” in NETFLIX’S NARCOS and “Tea Delgado” on ABC’s One Life to Live, (upcoming) Baker and The Beauty. Films include: LIFE AFTER YOU AMY MAKES THREE, Faraway Eyes, THE MINISTERS, PERFECT STRANGER, and Veronika Decides to Die. Florencia is a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company and LAB’s literary manager. Her play: underneathmybed was produced at the Rattlestick Playwrights’ Theatre and won HOLA’s (Hispanic Organization of Latino Actors) Best New Play Award in 2010. Her play BUSTED was produced by Rising Phoenix at CINO nights and her new play girl in window is currently in development. Florencia got her MFA at NYU’s Graduate Acting Program and her BA at Brown University where she studied Comparative Literature.
Most recently Florencia co-wrote the feature LIFE AFTER YOU with Sarah Schwab. She also produced and starred in the feature which won Best Feature in Madrid and Nice and Florencia won Best Actress at both festivals. Upcoming NETFLIX series (formerly called BREATHE).
Peter Collier (Eli)
Peter Collier is an actor and sketch comedy writer based in NYC. His award winning short film “Santa Force” he wrote and starred in alongside David Zayas and directed by David Zayas Jr, was recently selected for twelve different film festivals. He has acted in numerous plays and readings in the New York area and is a proud member of the LAByrinth Theater Company. Peter and DJ are currently in pre production for their next collaboration. @petercollierjr
Kirk Koczanowski (Stage Directions)
Kirk Koczanowski is a Meisner Trained actor based in NYC. He is so pleased to be back on the Chain Theatre mainstage along with a cast of some of his favorite Maggie Flanigan Studio alumni. Kirk was last seen in Matthew McLachlan's "Toxic Norse-Culinity." A crowd favorite from the Chain Theatre One Act Festival this past summer. Another one of Kirk's recent career highlights was filming the lead role in the exciting new tv sitcom pilot “The Big Time”/Leaving Normal Productions, opposite Maitland Ward (Boy Meets World) and Brett Azar (Young Rock, Terminator). Next up for Kirk: "No Witnesses" a fast paced dark comedy from Vanguard Studios and "Nice Guy" a harsh exploration of dating & consent culture in the current social climate from writer/director Lily Yasuda. He would like to thank McLachlan for his continued trust in him to bring characters or stage directions from his work to life year after year. imdb.me/kirkkoczanowski IG: @kirk_koz
*Actors appearing courtesy Actors Equity Association (AEA)
This program was made possible by the New York City Artist Corps
