PROGRAM
The Chain Theatre Proudly Presents
Simpatico
WRITTEN BY SAM SHEPARD
DIRECTED BY DAVID ZAYAS, JR.
JUNE 6 – JUNE 29, 2024
CAST:
Carter: Kirk Gostkowski
Vinnie: Brandon Hughes
Simms: Pete Mattaliano
Kelly: Monica Park
Rosie: Christina Elise Perry
Cecilia: Elizabeth Bays
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Manager: Nicole Amaral
Assistant Stage Manager: Gabby Macallister
Set Design / Props/ Technical Director: Jackson Berkley
Lighting Design: Michael Abrams
Costume Design: Debbi Hobson
Sound Design: Greg Russ
Fight Choreography: Caroline Orlando
Publicity: Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR
Literary Director John Arthur Long
Producer/ Managing Director Rick Hamilton
Dramaturgy by G.D. Kimble
Production Assistant: Uma Rao-LaBrecque
Props/ Scenic: SJ Reynolds
Scenic Carpenter: Erick Benavides
*The Chain Theatre is a 501c3 not for profit organization. All donations are tax deductible and may be made at chaintheatre.org. We thank you for supporting independent theatre and new work found only here at the Chain!
Photos and poster design by David Zayas, Jr.
CAST
Kirk Gostkowski (Carter)
Kirk Gostkowski (Carter) – Artistic Director Chain Theatre ; Select acting credits: World Premiere of Garbageman as Dan Bandana, Nick Moroni (NYC Premiere Keith Huff’s Six Corners), The Pillowman as Katurian (2016 Queens Kudos Winner Best Actor), Talk Radio as Barry Champlain (2015 NYIT Award Nominee for Outstanding Revival), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as R. P. McMurphy, Hurlyburly as Eddie, After the Fall as Quentin, Fool for Love as Eddie, In The Boom Boom Room as Al, True West as Austin, Wait Until Dark as Roat (Nominated as Best Director 2016 NYIT). He is the founder and Festival Director of the Chain NYC Film Festival. Kirk made his film directorial debut with the film Leave Me Behind, which was featured in ten film festivals across the world, won awards, and is distributed through Screen Media Ventures. Appearing next in the feature film: My Sister’s Wedding. Kirk is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree focused in performance.
Brandon Hughes (Vinnie)
Brandon Hughes (Vinnie) is a prolific actor and director of both stage and film. Film and TV: A Crime To Remember, Six Degrees of Murder, Good Man, and The Righteous. Off Broadway: Much Ado About Nothing and Ghosts of Provincetown at New World Stages. He is known for his humanistic television portrayal of Charles Whitman on A Crime to Remember. He also co-stars in a web series, ADULT-ish. His directorial episode of ADULT-ish was an official selection of Seoul South Korea Web Fest.
Elizabeth Bays (Cecilia)
Elizabeth Bays (@ebays_ ), a New York based actor/burlesque artist/filmmaker. She has a BA in theatre from College of Charleston, and trained @esperstudio under Bill and Suzanne Esper. Theatrical credits include The Butterfly Girl (Off-Broadway), Angelina Ballerina the Musical (Off- Broadway and National Tour) the world premiere of The Tower at Obie Award winning @herearts , and Persephone at the New York Fringe Festival . She has performed with Labryinth Theatre Company, Actor’s Theatre NYC, Antimatter Theatre Company, and more. Her film “Surprise!” ( a short she produced, wrote, and acted in) won the 2021 Best New Filmmaker Award at Scared for your LIIFE Film Festival (sister festival to the Long Island International Film Expo).
Elizabeth is part of @hotsytotsyburlesque (named the Best Burlesque Show in NYC by @officialbroadwayworld ) a “nerdlesque” troupe that performs monthly at the world famous @slipperroomny . She has a residency @pennyjosuptown in Harlem where she produces her burlesque show, “Bitsy’s Bits” quarterly.
Pete mattaliano (Simms)
Pete Mattaliano (Simms) is primarily an acting coach, playwright/screenwriter. In Philadelphia, he appeared in the first productions of In the Boom Boom Room and Streamers by David Rabe. He was last seen in The Chain's Production of In The Boom Boom Room as Harold.
Christina Elise Perry (Rosie)
Christina Perry (Rosie) is a film and theatre actor and producer of dozens of productions Off-Broadway. Highlighted theatrical roles include: NYC Premiere SIX CORNERS by Emmy Nominated Keith Huff. Critically as Amanda. FOOL FOR LOVE as May, Critically acclaimed CHASING THE RIVER, and WAIT UNTIL DARK as Susan (NYIT Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role). Film: In the Dark Room. Training: New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts; School for Film and Television. Perry thanks her family and the 'Sisu' her grandparents instilled within her. @christinaperryperry
Monica Park (Kelly)
Monica Park (Kelly) is a second-generation Korean-American actress and producer. Native to NYC, she is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the William Esper Studio, and has since been appearing predominantly in international commercials and short films that have premiered at the IFFSA Toronto, International NY Shorts, and Austin Lift-Off Film Festival. Her credits include Diana in CPR and Nathalie in Bedroom Farce. Beyond acting she enjoys graphic design, muay thai, and practicing yoga.
PRODUCTION TEAM
sam shepard (Playwright)
SAM SHEPARD (Playwright) had his first New York plays, Cowboys and The Rock Garden, produced by Theatre Genesis in 1963. For several seasons, he worked with Off-Off-Broadway theatre groups including La MaMa and Caffe Cino. Eleven of his plays have won Obie Awards including Chicago and Icarus’ Mother (1965); Red Cross and La Turista (1966); Forensic and the Navigators and Melodrama Play (1967); The Tooth of Crime (1972); Action (1974); and Curse of the Starving Class (1976). Sam wrote True West (1980), using a more traditional narrative to depict a rivalry between two estranged brothers. First performed at the Magic Theater in San Francisco, True West was revived on numerous occasions and starred several high-profile actors over the years, including Gary Sinese, John Malkovich, Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly. Shepard was awarded a Pulitzer Prize as well as an Obie Award for his play Buried Child (1979). Fool for Love (1982) received the Obie for Best Play as well as for Direction. A Lie of the Mind (1985) won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award in 1986 and the 1986 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Play. A revived Buried Child under the direction of Gary Sinise opened on Broadway in April 1996 and was nominated for a Tony Award. Kicking a Dead Horse (2007) and Ages of the Moon (2009) both received their world premieres at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Kicking a Dead Horse transferred to The Public Theater in New York and to the Almeida Theatre in London, and Ages of the Moon received its US premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in 2010. Shepard’s latest play, Heartless, premiered in 2012 at Signature. Shepard wrote the screenplays for “Zabriskie Point”; Wim Wenders’ “Paris, Texas”; and Robert Altman’s “Fool for Love”, a film version of his play of the same title. As writer/director, he filmed “Far North” and “Silent Tongue” in 1988 and 1992 respectively. As an actor he has appeared in the films “Days of Heaven”, “Resurrection”, “Raggedy Man”, “The Right Stuff”, “Frances”, “Country”, “Fool for Love”, “Crimes of the Heart”, “Baby Boom”, “Steel Magnolias”,” Bright Angel”, “Defenseless”, “Voyager”, “Thunderheart”, “The Pelican Brief”, “Safe Passage”, “Hamlet” and, most recently, “Don’t Come Knocking”, also co-written with Wim Wenders. In 1986, Shepard was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 1992, he received the Gold Medal for Drama from the Academy, and in 1994, he was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.
David Zayas, Jr. (Director)
David Zayas Jr. (Director) makes his Off-Broadway directorial debut with Simpatico. He most recently directed the Jesus Hopped the A Train staged reading starring Common, John Ortiz, and David Zayas. David also directed LABs 30th Anniversary and the Barn Series, which included three New Works in progress by Stephen Adly Gurgis. A Bronx Native, theater and film Director, Actor, and Photographer, David is a member of The Actors Studio’s Playwright/Directors Unit and LAByrinth Theater Company. He has directed with Planet Connections, Actors Theatre of NY, NY Theater Festival, Samuel French OOB Festival, and Chain Theatre along with award winning films in over 20 festivals.
Nicole Amaral (Production Stage Manager)
Nicole Amaral is a New York City native with Brazilian roots. She has extensive experience in theater both on and off stage. She is the Program and Outreach Manager of Developing Artists and Company Manager of Actors Theater Company. Some of her recent theater credentials include: This God Damn House at the Chain Theater (Stage Manager), Men on Boats at Atlantic Theater Stage 2 (Stage Manager), El Comanchero with Saudade Theatre (Stage Manager), Clue but Black Workshop at LA Broadwater Theater (Stage Manager/Co-Director/Lighting Designer/ Sound Designer), along with many other productions. Nicole is an alumna of Developing Artists Theatre Company where she was the recipient of the Kevin Geer Scholarship. She thanks them for believing in her and providing her with opportunities, knowledge and a family.
Gabby Macallister (Assitant Stage Manager)
Gabby Macallister is a creative artist who is thrilled to be making their MainStage debut as the assistant stage manager of Simpatico! Gabby graduated from Hofstra University with a focus in acting and stage management. Their previous credits include The Chain’s Winter One Act Festival (Board Op), Hofstra’s Spring 2023 Student Rep Festival (Production Stage Manager), and Cymbeline (Ensemble). Gabby would like to thank her friends and family for all of the love and support, and would like to thank the cast and crew for all of their hard work!
Jackson Berkley (Set Designer / Props / Technical Director)
Jackson Berkley is a freelance carpenter, prop designer, and musician. He has sourced, designed, and fabricated props for theatrical productions including The Seven Year Disappear, Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern, Titanique, Mind Mangler, Hip Hop Nutcracker, and White Girl in Danger, and has constructed sets for clients including LinkedIn, Bravo TV, Adidas, Barstool Sports, MSG Networks, Fiverr, and others. Jackson is currently working on Fortuity, an in-progress immersive show/party that enjoyed two sold out showings at The Public Theater in January.
Debbi Hobson (Costume Designer)
Debbi Hobson has been a costume designer for theatre and film for over 20 years and is very pleased to return to the Chain for this revival of Simpatico. Off Broadway Credits include “A Letter to Harvey Milk” dir. Evan Pappas; “A Will to Live” dir. Rick Hamilton, “Luft Gangster” dir. Austin Pendleton; “What Passes for Comedy” dir. Rick Hamilton; “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” dir. Kevin Confoy. Regional credits include “Holiday Inn” dir. David Grindrod; “A Christmas Story” dir. Mark Martino, “Guys and Dolls” dir. Evan Pappas. She is a resident artist with Phoenix Theatre Ensemble where she designed “Wind in the Willows”, “Crime and Punishment”, and “Drinks with Dead Poets” for the 2023 Phoenix Festival in Nyack NY. In 2015 she was awarded the NYIT Outstanding Costume Design award for “Unmentionables” dir. Monserrat Mendez.
Michael Abrams (Lighting Designer)
Michael Abrams has designed numerous shows all over the country, including Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, Regional, Tour and Cruise Ship venues. Select Design credits include: A Will To Live, I Of The Storm, Music Man, The Merry Widow, The Salvage Shop, My Favorite Year, Twelfth Night, The Last Starfighter, Midsummer Nights Dream, Occupation: Dragonslayer, American Nocturne, She Loves Me, Amadeus, Quartet, Last 5 Years, Jekyll & Hyde, Scarlet Pimpernel, Parade, King and I, Children Of Eden, 42 nd Street, I Do I Do, Meet Me In ST. Louis, Godspell, Annie Get Your Gun, Phantom, Annie, Forever Plaid, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Singin’ In The Rain, Oklahoma, Crazy For You, Damn Yankees, Anything Goes, The Nutcracker, and A Christmas Carol. In addition to designing shows, Michael is a professional photographer that has been published nationally and internationally.
Sound Design: Greg Russ
Working on-air and in production at radio stations in Atlanta and New York, the depressing state of the industry took it’s toll on Greg, crushing a once vibrant soul. Persevering through the residual cynicism and bitterness, he found the to rebuild his happiness and now works shooting and editing video/film, and somehow convinced people he is capable of designing sound for theatre. Results forthcoming...
Fight Choreographer: Caroline Orlando
Previous credits: macbitches and Chasing the River (Chain Theatre World Premiere); Three Characters Figure It Out (Chain Theatre One Act Festival). Originally from a small town in Massachusetts, Caroline recently graduated from Hofstra University with her BFA in Theatre Arts - performance concentration. Previous roles at Hofstra: Queen Elizabeth (Richard III), Tansy (The Nerd), and Clovis (Dream of a Common Language).
Publicity: Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR
Katie Rosin (PUBLICITY)
A full service Marketing and Public Relations agency founded by Katie Rosin, offering exceptional and custom campaigns for each client’s unique needs and projects. Rosin was instrumental in the launch of the Broadway musical Brooklyn and the National Tour of Mother Load. She worked on the publicity team for the comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, and his movie Comedian. Antonio Miniño later joined the Kampfire Team, after having produced and marketed various fashion shows, theatrical productions, as well as produced and hosted for the award winning Fashion TV. Together they have represented companies of all levels, genres and aesthetics in the Arts. Kampfire’s Off-Broadway highlights include: MUST, Theatre at St. Clements; Delirium’s Daughter, Clurman Theatre; The Humingbird’s Tour, Theatre at St. Clements; unFRAMED, John Jay College Performing Arts Center; My Sinatra, Midtown Theater & Sophia’s’; Modotti, Acorn Theater; GLAAD Award Nominee, She Like Girls, Ohio Theater; ...Another Man’s Poison, Jay Sharp Theater; Swimming With The Polar Bears, 45 Bleecker Street; Glimpses of the Moon, Algonquin Hotel; IT Awards recipient, Elizabeth Rex, Center Stage; Mother Load, Sage Theater; Wasps in Bed, Beckett Theater; Anaïs Nin: One Of Her Lives, Beckett Theater; Triple Threat: 2007 Drama Desk Nominee (mis)Understanding Mammy: The Hattie McDaniel Story, Theatre 5. Back-to-back Best of Fest Winners at NYMF. Some of Kampfire past and present clients include: The Actor’s Temple, ArtsRock, Astoria Performing Arts Center, The Bossy Frog Band, the cell theatre, Tony Award Winning Double Play Connections, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The League of Professional Theater Women, New York Innovative Theatre Awards, New York Neo-Futurists, Nicu’s Spoon, The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, Queens Theatre, R.Evolución Latina, Singers Forum, TADA! Youth Theater and terraNOVA Collective.
Literary Director John Arthur Long
Producer/ Managing Director Rick Hamilton
Dramaturgy by G.D. Kimble
Production Assistant: Uma Rao- LaBrecque
Props/ Scenic: SJ Reynolds
Scenic Carpenter: Erick Benavides
SPECIAL THANK YOU
Hofstra University Drama and Dance Department
Councilmember Eric Bottcher
New York State Council of the Arts
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
Shubert Foundation
Jerry Scupp
Brian Webber
Inge Ivchenko
Barbara Blair
Community Board 4
Brian Russell
Ray and Lori Palomaa
Charles Davis
David Henderson
Rych and Kathy Curtiss
Chain Theatre Board
Program made possible with support from:
