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Brad Pitt and the Exploding Head

Written by John Corins

Directed by Barbara Parisi and John Sannuto

synopsis

A S&Mer witnesses a mass murder and then tries to goad the investigating detective into an act of consensual violence. The play is a black comedy and a two hander.

Bios

JOHN CORINS (Playwright) studied playwrighting with the late, great Gene Frankel. He’s had plays produced in regional and repertory theatres all around the country. Previously at The Chain Theatre: The Backsliders Ball and A Father’s Day. 

JERRY FERRIS* (Detective) is happy to, once again, be performing in the Chain Theatre One-Act Festival. He was previously seen in Memoryville by Philip Cioffari and A Father’s Day by John Corins.

JOHN SANNUTO (Mallory/Co-Director) has worked as an actor, singer, dancer, director and choreographer in a variety of performance genres for the past fifty-two years. He directed John Corins’ plays The Backslider’s Ball and A Father’s Day at The Chain Theatre. jsannuto@gmail.com

BARBARA PARISI (Co-Director) is a director, actress, and a lighting designer. From 2009 to 2017, Barbara directed and designed the lighting for Decades Apart-Reflections of Three Gay Men, an original one-man show, written and performed by Rick Pulos, which toured several U.S. cities. She is also the is Co-founder of the Ryan Repertory Company since 1972, at The Harry Warren Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, and currently the Executive Director/General Manager. She was the editor of the Best American Short Plays series from 2004 to 2010 for Applause Theatre and Cinema Books/Hal Leonard Group Publishing. Barbara has been an ARTNY Board member since 1996.

Hat Pin: A Vampire Farce

Written by Elizabeth Bays

Directed by David Zayas Jr.

Synopsis

A hypnotized sailor is dragged into the undead domestic chaos of three vampire sisters. What begins as a surprise, turns into a battle of grief, guilt, sisterhood, and hunger! A campy farce about immortality and the ache of love that outlives the living.

BIOS

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.  

Elizabeth Bays is a New York–based actor, burlesque artist, producer, filmmaker, and playwright who likes to keep busy. Acting credits include Simpatico (Off-Broadway), Angelina Ballerina the Musical (Off-Broadway/National Tour), John Patrick Shanley’s Banshee (NY Premiere), and The Tower (HERE Arts Center). Her short film Wooly Bully, which she helped create, produce, and starred in opposite Kathryn Grody, will premiere at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival in April 2026. Elizabeth also performs with Hotsy Totsy Burlesque (BroadwayWorld’s Best Burlesque in NYC) as “Bitsy” at The Slipper Room, and recently opened the 2025 Reykjavík Fringe Festival with ForbHIDDEN People: An Elven Burlesque. IG: @ebays_

Kyle Mumford is a filmmaker/playwright, Kyle attended the School of Visual Arts, where his thesis film, HIS NAKED MIND, won Kyle the award for Best Director at SVA. Kyle has worked in editorial and locations departments for film & TV, and later became an assistant for writer/director Tom Gormican. His short films have screened at Palm Springs ShortFest, Florida FilmFest, and many others. His screenplays have placed seven times at Austin Film Festival and twice as a 2nd rounder in the Sundance Labs. In 2021, Kyle was accepted into the Actors Studio Playwright and Directors Unit. His short plays, SHRIMP PUDDING, HANGMEN, and CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, premiered at the Chain Theatre One-Act Fest in 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively.  His play, THE VICTIMS, was Screencraft’s 2025 StagePlay winner. Recently, he was featured in Kait Hickey's HOW TO HOT WIRE A LAMPPOST at Unit J. IG: @kylecmumford / www.kylemumford.com

Nadia Sepsenwol (Marguerite). Resident actor at the Mercury Store, 2021-22. Other credits include: Complicity (The New Ohio), The Winter’s Tale (Rude Grooms), Romeo and Juliet (CSC), & the NYC premiere of Molly Smith Metzler’s Cry it Out. About a million workshops and readings at places like the Public Theater, Ensemble Studio Theatre, MTC, M-34, LaMama, The Cell, the New Dramatists, and IATI. Best Actress at the Long Island International Film Expo for her work in the sci-fi film Sandbox. MFA, Columbia. What a delight to work with Elizabeth and DJ again, and thank you for this hilarious, singular piece!

Sachi Parker is so excited to be with The Chain "family" again in this exciting One Act Festival. Sachi played the role of one of The Chain’s mainstages, This G*d Damn House, as Angie. 

Last Dance

Written by Kevin Brofsky

Directed by Greg Roderick

synopsis

When Boxer and his friend Henry visit an old gay bar from their past, Boxer is confronted with a memory which changes the course of his life.

Bios

Kevin Brofsky (Playwright) has had plays produced in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Omaha, Orlando and Dublin, Ireland. He is the screenwriter of The World Is Lit By Lightning directed by Greg Roderick (Chain Film Festival, 2023, best short screenplay).

Greg Roderick (Director) a professional actor in New York City for over 30 years, he has directed theatre and film around the country, most recently an equity production of The Cottage . His most recent film, The World is Lit By Lightning appeared at the Chain Short-Film Festival (2023). Greg owns a boutique independent film production company On The Rocks Films currently securing funding for its first feature film Lineage. Please visit www.gregroderick.com for more details including investment opportunities. Instagram @gregroderick

Jody Reynard (BOXER) has appeared on Broadway in Thoughts of a Colored Man, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Legally Blonde, Taboo, Saturday Night Fever & Fosse and has toured with Chicago, Memphis, Kiss Me Kate, Camelot & My Fair Lady.  Regionally, he’s done West Side Story, Spelling Bee, Smokey Joe’s Café and Take Me Out.

Desmond Dutcher (HENRY) Theatre: ‘George’ – Pride House (TOSOS theatre); ‘Oscar’ – Mary, Mary (Retro Productions); ‘Gordon’ – Doric Wilson’s Street Theatre (TOSOS); The Skin of Our Teeth (ATC);  Markie 7722 (EAT); In Loco Parentis (NY Fringe).  Regional: ‘Bosie’ – Gross Indecency (Studio Theatre, DC); ‘Pandor’ – Pericles (Washington Shakespeare Co.);  ‘Mikey’ – Shear Madness (The Kennedy Center).  Film: ‘Tom’ – The World is Lit by Lightening; ‘JD’ – Whirlwind.Voice overs: Stella Artois; Waze; IHOP; Gilead; Xfinity.

Patrick Saint Ange, aka Saint (YOUNG BOXER) is a proud first-generation Haitian American artist and Binghamton University Alum. Recent credits include “Scramby” in The Pitch, Off-Broadway, the National Tour of Hero: The Boy From Troy (Jaydan/John), Margaritaville (Jamal/Ted) and Rock of Ages (Mayor/Ja’Keith/) at The Gateway Playhouse, and Stranger Sings! The Musical (Lucas/Demogorgon) at The Straz Center. Saint is deeply grateful to his family, friends, and mentors for their support. IG: @saintparrk

Asa Leininger (ERIK) an actor, writer, and educator who holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theatre and History from Missouri State University as well as a TEFL certificate from Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. He is passionate about using art and language to encourage ethical development and self-introspection, as well as to spark meaningful debates and dialogues. Find him on Instagram at @asaleininger or on his website at https://www.asaleininger.com/

Plucked Eyes On A Plate

Written by Pete Mattaliano

Directed by Quilty

Synopsis

A one-man monologue/performance piece about his misadventures in advertising.

Bios

PETE MATTALIANO (Writer/Performer) – As an actor, was last seen in The Chain’s productions of “Simpatico” and “In The Boom Boom Room.” As a playwright/director, his plays and musicals have been produced in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and assorted universities, winning several awards and commendations. As an acting coach, he has taught at NYU’s CAP21; The School for Film & TV; Villanova; Hofstra, as well as coaching privately, working with such actors as Jill Clayburgh, Donna Murphy, Javier Munoz, Beth Behrs, and Kara Young. As a screenwriter, his Christmas script, Present From The Past, is in pre-production. 

QUILTY - Director - When Quilty is not directing one-acts, he can be seen acting on HBO and Netflix in such shows as SUCCESSION, SHOW ME A HERO, THE SINNER (Season 2), and THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7. 

LAURA FEDER - Stage Manager - Laura has worked in the industry for many years as an actor, stuntie, stage manager, and producer. She is very happy to be working alongside Pete on another production. Hope you laugh!