Chazz Palminteri Leads Reading of Kenny D’Aquila’s “Unorganized Crime” @ Victory Gardens Aug. 6th

Chazz Palminteri, best known for his performances in The Usual Suspects, A Bronx Tale and his Academy Award nominated role for Best Supporting Actor in Bullets Over Broadway, will participate in a free staged reading of Kenny D’Aquila’s new play Unorganized Crime, directed byEdward Torres, Monday, August 6, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the mainstage at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.

Tickets are free, but reservations must be made in advance. RSVP via email only to AintForDummies@gmail.com. Leave your name and number of tickets requested. Seating is first come, first served.

Other actors participating in the August 6th reading includeJustina Machado, Kenny D’Aquila, Anish Jethmalani and Howard Witt. Producer is Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary.

Unorganized Crime begins when Gino Sicuso, the youngest son and reluctant killer of a Capo di Capi, is banished from the family for his inability to follow orders. Three years later, his wife, Rosie, part-time pseudo-psychologist and full-time prostitute, has Gino on the road to redemption by insisting he wait tables to help lessen his regard for the human race. Life changes, as older brother Sal Sicuso, a brutal mobster and ‘next in line,’ shows up at Gino’s door. What transpires is a gripping, humorous and savage glimpse at the modern-day Cosa Nostra where the code of Omerta is shaken to the core.

Originally from Connecticut, Kenny D’Aquila made his mark as Grantaire in the critically acclaimed production of Les Miserables (directed byTrevor NunnandJohn Caird) at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles. Later, D’Aquila was featured as Grantaire in the International Cast Album of Les Miserables with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. A 25 year veteran of both New York and Los Angeles stage, D’Aquila has appeared in over 30 plays. As a writer, D’Aquila’s first play, Uptown, opened to rave reviews at the GNU Theatre under the direction of Jeff Seymour. Uptown won 8 Drama-Logue Awards, including Best New Play. As an actor, D’Aquila also drew raves and won a Drama-Logue Award for Best Actor. D’Aquila’s screenplay, Not Before Me (based on his stage play, Uptown) was purchased by Concord/New Horizons with D’Aquila attached to star. On the production end, D’Aquila is co-executive producer of the upcoming documentary The Hill Chris Climbed: The Gridiron Heroes Story written and directed by Andrew Lauer.

Edward Torres, Artistic Director, Teatro Vista, is currently performing in Victory Gardens’ critically acclaimed production of Oedipus El Rey. He previously directed the world premiere ofCandido Tirado’s Fish Men atGoodman Theatre, and the Chicago (Victory Gardens), New York (Second Stage) and Los Angeles (Geffen Playhouse) productions ofKristoffer Diaz’ The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, winner of the 2011 Obie Award for Best New American Play. Later this season Torres will direct The Happiest Song Plays Last byQuiara Alegria Hudes, April 13-May 12, 2013, also at the Goodman in association with Teatro Vista.

For more information, visit www.unorganizedcrime.org.