The Claiming Race

Theater for the New City presents the world premiere of Robert Glaudini’s The Claiming Race, starring Gerry Becker (Film: Blood Work, Spider-Man, Donnie Brasco; Broadway: The Song of Jacob Zulu; Off Broadway: Death Defying Acts),Chris McKinney (Broadway: Medea; Off Broadway: Light Raise the Roof, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) and Lola Glaudini (TV: Agent Ciccerone on The Sopranos; Stage: Demonology — Dramalogue for Best Actress) .

Deni is a kept mistress at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Millock, her sugar daddy, is a Jewish ex-Yale professor who fell from the ivory tower, seduced by the wealth and power of thoroughbred horseracing. When their relationship wanes, he makes uncertain promises to set her up with a new life, but Deni takes her destiny into her own hands with the help of Motherwell, a black ex-con from her poor and troubled past. When the three go head to head, the play takes surprising turns as they each fight for their lives to claim a piece of the pie.

Robert Glaudini’s play Dutch Heart of Man was chosen as the opening production of LAByrinth Theatre Company’s premiere season at the Public Theater. Other notable plays of his, including The Identical Same Temptation, The Secret of Success, The Poison Tree, and Borrego, have been produced in NY and LA. Director Brian Roff worked with playwright Robert Glaudini before in Subjects of the Vampire Class for a LAByrinth Intensive, and he served as assistant director to Philip Seymour Hoffman on The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (LAByrinth Barn Series), Our Lady of 121st Street (LAByrinth and Union Square Theater) – both by Stephen Adly Guirgis – and The Glory of Living by Rebecca Gilman (MCC).