Photo Flash: First Look at THE INVISIBLE HAND at Artists Rep

Artists Repertory Theatre is proud to present Portland audiences with The Invisible Hand by Ayad Akhtar, directed by former Artistic Director Allen Nause, beginning March 10, 2015. This production is in association with Seattle's ACT Theatre and follows their production of the play last September with much of the same design team, but includes two new cast members. ACT's production was named "Best Play" in the Broadway World 2014 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards. At the end of 2014, The Invisible Hand was produced Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's tense plot involves a kidnapped American "futures" trader in Pakistan playing the market for his life. In this riveting, shockingly relevant play, taut scenarios unfold as the trader works to earn his release while unwittingly handing the tools for financial chaos and political vindication to his captor. Produced in association with Seattle's ACT Theatre.

Ayad Akhtar's The Invisible Hand had its world premiere at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis in March 2012 as the first work in the "Ignite! New Play Festival" series. The play's metaphoric title is taken from famed economist Adam Smith's writings, describing the self-regulating nature of the marketplace. The 'invisible hand' refers to Smith's claim that by trying to maximize their own gains in a free market, individual ambition benefits society, even if the ambitious have no benevolent intentions.

Seattle's ACT Theatre production, produced in association with Artists Rep, ran Sept. 5-28, 2014 and was directed by Allen Nause and featured much of the same design team and cast. The Invisible Hand was produced by New York Theatre Workshop from Nov. 19, 2014 -Jan. 4 2015, was directed by Ken Rus Schmoll and featured Justin Kirk (Showtime, Weeds) as Nick Bright. The Invisible Hand is presented at Artists Rep with support from Hugh & Mair Lewis and Mentor Graphics.

In the cast are John San Nicolas*^ - Dar; Connor Toms* - Nick Bright; Imran Sheikh* - Bashir; and William Ontiveros* - Imam Saleem.

On the creative team: Allen Nause^ - Director; Matthew Smucker** - Scenic Designer; Rose Pederson** - Costume Designer; Kristeen Willis Crosser^ - Lighting Designer; Brendan Patrick Hogan - Composer/Sound Designer; Mary McDonald Lewis^ - Voice & Text Director; Sharath Patel^ - Sound Coordinator; Natalie Rae Heikkinen - Props Coordinator; Jonathan Cole - Fight Coordinator; Connor Toms - Fight Captain; Carol Ann Wohlmut* - Production Stage Manager; Production Assistants - Will Bailey, Jessica Evans Irvine; and Board Op - Jason Coffey.

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers
^ Artists Rep Resident Artist
** Represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE.

The play runs March 10 - April 5, 2015. Opening Night is tomorrow, Saturday, March 14 at the Artists Repertory Theatre - Morrison Stage, 1515 Morrison St. Portland, OR 97205. Tickets: $25-$55. Buy tickets: 503.241.1278 or www.artistsrep.org.

Photo Credit: Owen Carey