Lazarus

by Gregory Keng Strasser

Computer genius Kim Tae-Jin, a Chōsen (North Korean) Zainichi (Korean born and raised in Japan) is sick of the entrapment by the Japanese government and his domineering father. Since before his mother died, his family’s shop is constantly being extorted by police and government alike, and the bills are piling up. Tae-Jin is looking for a way out. Or better yet, a new destiny, entirely.

Princeling Park Jin-Hyuk...

Computer genius Kim Tae-Jin, a Chōsen (North Korean) Zainichi (Korean born and raised in Japan) is sick of the entrapment by the Japanese government and his domineering father. Since before his mother died, his family’s shop is constantly being extorted by police and government alike, and the bills are piling up. Tae-Jin is looking for a way out. Or better yet, a new destiny, entirely.

Princeling Park Jin-Hyuk, a Pyongyang native who was educated in the west is looking for a way to liberate North Korea, and even maybe himself, on the digital stage and beyond. He’s been put on a highly secretive taskforce, the Lazarus Group, to carry out cyberattacks across countries for the purpose of restoring glory to the DPRK. Park needs talent, pronto, but North Korea doesn’t have the labor.

When the two meet, Park and Kim develop a unique, if conditional, friendship that leads them on a high-stakes chase for millions across the Philippines, Japan, China, Sri Lanka, the Dark Web, and beyond.

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Lazarus

Recommended by

  • Yide Cai (蔡逸得): Lazarus by Gregory Keng Strasser
    “

    "Lazarus" showcases that Greg is just as skilled a playwright as he is a director. The script has an impressive imaginative scope, creating a cool synthesis of complex digital worlds and real geopolitical stakes. It’s a smart, well-executed piece that shows he can command the page just as well as the stage :)

    "Lazarus" showcases that Greg is just as skilled a playwright as he is a director. The script has an impressive imaginative scope, creating a cool synthesis of complex digital worlds and real geopolitical stakes. It’s a smart, well-executed piece that shows he can command the page just as well as the stage :)

    ”
  • Premiere Stages at Kean University: Lazarus by Gregory Keng Strasser
    “

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize LAZARUS as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. The play successfully creates a sprawling, detailed world of crime and desperation, as well as an engaging friendship between Park and Kim. Our congratulations and thanks to Gregory.

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize LAZARUS as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. The play successfully creates a sprawling, detailed world of crime and desperation, as well as an engaging friendship between Park and Kim. Our congratulations and thanks to Gregory.

    ”

Character Information

RECOMMENDED CASTING BREAKDOWN FOR FOUR ACTORS
Male 1: Kim Tae-Jin
Male 2: Park Jin-Hyuk,
Male 3: Kim Jin-Woo, Korean Christian Missionary, Alexander Canlas, Mr. Park, Hacker Sung
Female 1: Japanese Cop, Kim Myong-Hi (voice only), Park Ae-Cha (voice only), Hacker Il, Amina Sabry

RECOMMENDED CASTING BREAKDOWN FOR PRODUCERS WITH GOOD BUDGETS
Male 1: Kim Tae-Jin
Male 2: Park Jin-Hyuk
Male 3: Kim Jin-Woo, Hacker Sung, Alexander Canlas, Mr. Park
Female 1: Japanese Cop, Kim Myong-Hi (voice only), Park Ae-Cha (can be body), Hacker Il
Female 2: Amina Sabry
  • Kim Tae-jin
    A computer genius who wants to take control of his life. Zainichi Korean.
    23-24
    Asian -- Korean,
    Asian -- Zainichi,
    Mixed: Japanese and Korean
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Park Jin-Hyuk
    Korean princeling from a Pyongyang family. Arrived in Japan to work for the Chongryon.
    30s
    Asian -- Korean
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Kim Jin-Woo
    Tae-Jin’s father, who runs a convenience store in Utoro, Uji in Kyoto, Japan. North Korean living in Japan.
    50s
    Asian -- Korean,
    Mixed: Japanese and Korean
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Kim Myong-Hi
    Tae-Jin’s mother; Can be a v/o only role depending on budget size.
    50s
    Asian -- Korean
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Alexander Canlas
    A Filipino gangster based in Manila
    20s-30s
    Asian -- Filipino
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Amina Sabry
    Manager for the Shalika Foundation, has big dreams for Sri Lanka
    20s-30s
    Asian -- Sri Lankan
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Japanese Cop (Officer Saito)
    Local cop of Utoro, regularly extorts the Zainichi community. Has a thing for feet pics.
    Any age
    Asian -- Japanese
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
  • Park Ae-Cha
    Jin-Hyuk’s mother, a high-ranking member of Bureau 121
    50s
    Asian -- Korean
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Mr. Park
    Jin-Hyuk’s father, a member of Bureau 121
    50s
    Asian -- Korean
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Hacker Sung
    Member of the Lazarus Group
    Any
    Asian
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Hacker Il
    Member of the Lazarus Group
    Any
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Korean Christian Missionary
    Korean Christian Missionary from South Korea visiting Shenyang, China.
    Any
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American

Development History

  • Residency, Roundabout Theatre Company, 2025