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The potential water cooler impact of the
series also intrigued Arias. He envisioned that Kingpin would spark
conversations about the intricacies of the drug war. That Kingpin has
prompted debate is certain. However, the nature of the initial
discourse has centered on the prevalence of criminals in the
Latin-themed major network program, rather than on the drug war.
While
the debate about Kingpin rages on, Arias continues to pursue the art
and business of filmmaking. In addition to his work in front of the
camera, Arias has co-produced two independent films - Destination
Unknown (1997) and Home Invaders (2001). The latter, executive
produced by Spike Lee, has screened at Urbanworld and the New York
International Latino Film Festival. From a screenplay by Greg Wilson
(who also directs), Home Invaders is a ripped-from-the-headlines tale
of a team of burglars that rob the homes of wealthy suburbanites.
As a producer, Arias collaborated with Wilson on
story development, assisted in the casting process and facilitated the
indie film experience for the principal cast. In Home Invaders, Arias
worked with long-time colleagues Keith David and Luis Guzman - an
experience he thoroughly enjoyed.
"[Keith David and Luis Guzman] were awesome to
work with," effuses Arias. "The reason I chose them is
simple - they are friends of mine. I'm friends with all of the
principal actors…. So it created a close familiar atmosphere [among]
all of us," he adds.
Prior to his work on Kingpin and in film, Arias
made notable television guest appearances on The Sopranos, NYPD Blue
and Law & Order, among others. Yet it was Arias' theater work that
catapulted his career. Arias starred as Thuy for six years in the
Broadway production of Miss Saigon and performed alongside Toni
Collette, Mandy Patinkin and Eartha Kitt in the Public Theatre's
production of "The Wild Party." Arias relishes the stage
experience and eagerly awaits a good role to return him to Broadway.
Okay theater scribes, the ball is in your court. For more on Yancey Arias, click
here. M
February 2003
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