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I Did a Bad Thing

Written and directed by Phil Way

Synopsis

The play concerns Eddie, a middle-aged man in complete denial that his wife, Ellie, has passed away. He goes about the business of tending her prized garden believing that she is only too ill. In reality, her corpse has been reposing on the couch for a week. After a bloody encounter with a woman whose Pomeranian soiled the garden, Ellie’s spirit attempts to snap Eddie out of his delusion and bring him back to reality to face the consequences of his “bad thing.”

Bios

Phil Way (PLAYWRIGHT, DIRECTOR, and EDDIE) is a playwright/actor/director residing in Brooklyn, NY. His short plays have been produced in various festivals, events, and theaters in and around NYC, including the Producers Club, the Players Theater, and Manhattan Repertory Theater.  His dark comic play Helter Shelter was voted Best Play in Equity Library Theater of New York’s Winter One Act Festival in 2024.  His one-minute horror play I’ll See You In Your Dreams was recently published in Shh! Breathe Slow Vol. 4 (Fresh Words International Literary Magazine).  Follow him on Instagram @philtheway

Cheli Smith (ELLIE) is a Washington DC native and graduate of Stella Adler Studio of Acting Conservatory in New York.  She is overjoyed and grateful to be part of this talented cast. Her recent stage credits include the role of Sadie Overton in Resurrection at the American Theatre of Actors, NYC, The Tyrannicides at the Riverside Theater on Stage, 12 Angry Women, Apha Theatre, Mae Jamieson, Harlem Women's Repertory, and in A Sketch of New York, Producers Club.  Some of her credits for Film include Keep the Change, No Strings Attached, Ember in the Woods, In the Dark Solace, and Blood and Bones.  For Television she has worked on Gotham, Mysteries of Laura, Law and Order, The Equalizer, Power Book,  and Godfather of Harlem. Also, Cheli works as a volunteer for her local soup kitchen.  She is grateful to  her friends, fans, and  family for their love and support and would like to thank all those involved in making  her actress journey the most rewarding experience of her life.

Lewis Hurt (DOG WALKER)  has been an actor in NYC for 5 years now. He studied at Stella Adler and participated in an advanced character study workshop with renowned acting coach Giles Foreman in Los Angeles, summer 2024. His work mostly consists of theater with a little film & TV.  Most of all, he is  excited to be performing with a friend and frequent collaborator, Phil Way. Thank you!

Stalled

Written by Diego Aguirre

Directed by David Zayas Jr.

Synopsis

Three brothers reunite in their childhood home, after their father's funeral. They hole up in the bathroom, where old wounds, buried violence, and long-held guilt finally surface. Between cocaine, confessions, and clumsy love, they confront the past—and discover the fragile possibility of forgiveness.

Bios

Diego Aguirre is a NYC based actor, writer, and Marine Corps veteran. He grew up in Ecuador, where his family is from. This is his first written play, and is proud to debut it at The Chain, and perform in it alongside his dream cast and director. Selected Theatre credits include: (O)n The 5:31 (Dir. David Zayas Jr.), Occupied Territories (59e59, Dir. Mollye Maxner). Selected Film credits include: The Ballad of a Hustler (Heitor Dahlia), The Upside (Neil Burger), Sometime Other Than Now (Dylan McCormick), New Year’s Eve @ Sunny’s (Bob Giraldi), Wooly Bully (Kristen Buckels) Selected TV: Dexter: Resurrection, FBI, Monsterland, The Punisher, It’s Bruno. Diego has also shared personal, live stories with The Moth and Actors Theater of NYC (ATNYC). He dedicates this play to his mother. IG: diego.aguirre.actor

David Zayas Jr. (DIRECTOR) -  is a Bronx native, theater and film director, actor, and photographer. David made his  Off-Broadway directorial debut with Simpatico, at the Chain Theatre.  Prior to that he directed the Jesus Hopped the A Train staged reading starring Common, John Ortiz, and David Zayas at the LABs 30th Anniversary.  David also directed multiple times at the Barn Series, which included three New Works in progress by Stephen Adly Gurgis. He has directed with Planet Connections, Actors Theatre of NY, NY Theater Festival, Samuel French OOB Festival, and more. Along with award winning films in over 20 festivals. David is a member of The Actors Studio’s Playwright/Directors Unit and LAByrinth Theater Company.  

Jacob Lumet Cannavale is an actor seen in things such as The Mandalorian, The Offer, and Nurse Jackie. He has also been on stage in Basilica, and Fish In the Dark. In 2024, Jacob wrote and self published a book of poetry called Adieu, Bro! He was born and raised in New York City and now lives in Brooklyn. When he is not acting, he is the frontman, lyricist, and tyrannical band leader of the grindcore band Vixen Maw, often referred to as the greatest band of all time. Their debut album, Pervertigo, will be out this spring.

Joseph Russo was born in Brooklyn and grew up in New Jersey and Staten Island. His film credits include JERSEY BOYS, as Joe Pesci dir. Clint Eastwood, THE IRISHMAN, as Bruno Rossi, dir. Martin Scorsese, THE KITCHEN as well as a show in which he created and co-wrote with Justin Schack, Alev Ayedin, and Jeremy Luke called SMALL SHOTS, that premiered on NETFLIX  About two guys trying to be big shots but are just small shots. He has also been on numerous tv shows and most recently could be seen on PARAMOUNT PLUS’ THE OFFER playing the part of “CRAZY” JOE GALLO. He is currently studying with Lyle Kessler in Lyle Kessler’s Master Class, as well as a considered finalist for THE ACTORS STUDIO.  He is very proud to be a part of this production. 

The King of Cats, the Death of Tybalt

Written and directed by Gustavo Montano-Paredes

Synopsis

Alejandro (Alex) had a fight with his dad three weeks ago, a week later, his dad passed away. He's been stuck in his room ever since. Long enough for his cousin Maria to come and perform a "wellness check" to get him to take a shower, talk about his feelings, and get him to eat anything that is not in noodle form.

Bios

Writer/Director: Born in Mexico City, Gustavo Montano has a focus on telling immigrant & Hispanic led stories. Gustavo has been Acting/Writing/Directing for 8 years having graduated the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2021. Recent directing,writing and producing credits are, It Has His Eyes (2026), “The Great Old Ones Anthology”: The Curtain, and After Hallmark. Gustavo is excited to make his Theatrical Directorial Debut at the Chain Winter Fest with the King of Cats, the Death of Tybalt and would like to thank the 6A team, his friends and family, especially his Dad, Sergio.

Alejandro (actor): Francisco Medrano is a born and raised New Yorker, Originally born in Long Island, NY. Francisco has been acting for 4 years, recently graduating from The New Yorker Conservatory in Film and Television studies in May of 2025. Recent credits include “Out of the Blue”, “One More Stop”, “Almost Us”, “Circles” “LOT”, etc. He wants to give thanks to his family, friends and the team of “The King of Cats” for their endless support.

Maria (actor): Octavia Perelis is a recent graduate of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. She most recently appeared as the lead in the short film The Hidden Lives of Happy People and previously starred as the lead in the stage production 300 Millones in Argentina. Originally from Argentina, this marks her New York theater debut, and she is deeply excited to bring Maria—and this story—to life on stage.

Producer/Stage Manager: Noni Alley (they/them) is CEO and executive producer at 6A Productions. A graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic academy, Noni is based in NYC with a career in voice acting and theater. Recent producing credits include award-winning horror short It Has His Eyes and romantic comedy short After Hallmark.

Producer: Mattie McMahon is a queer producer currently based in NYC that also wears many other hats in the industry. Born in Michigan, raised in Florida, and now residing here in the big apple, they’re a big fan of exploring new places and ideas, leaving just enough time on the side to pursue their true passion of clowning around. Their recent work includes After Hallmark, Misfits, and It Has His Eyes.

Producer: Bailey Van Schepen (she/they) is a Fight Director and actor combatant from Northeast Texas who is proud to call NYC home. She is a co-producer and the Outreach Director for 6a Productions, and is inspired by her collaborators’ tenacity and commitment to bold, ground-breaking work. Thank you for everything, and my congratulations to King of Cats- I knew you’d make!