Photo Flash: First Look at Ensemble Theatre Company's THE INVISIBLE HAND

ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY (in a co-production with the ENGLISH THEATRE FRANKFURT) is thrilled to announce the fourth show of its 2017-2018 Season, a witty and provocative new thriller, THE INVISIBLE HAND, written by Ayad Akhtar (Disgraced) and directed by Jonathan Fox. THE INVISIBLE HAND begins previews on Thursday, April 12, opens on Saturday, April 14, and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2018 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara. The production will then transfer to the English Theatre Frankfurt on May 9, 2018.

Set in Pakistan, American investment banker Nick Bright is kidnapped by an extremist organization and held for a $10 million ransom. When his company refuses to meet the terrorists' demands, Nick convinces his captors that he can manipulate the stock market to meet his own ransom. Capitalism intersects with Islamic fanaticism in a race against time in this heart-pounding thriller by the Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright, novelist, and screenwriter Ayad Akhtar.

"Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar is one of the most compelling writers working today and we are so fortunate to be presenting this high-voltage thriller," said Ensemble Theatre Company Artistic Director Jonathan Fox. "Our subscribers and audiences are in for quite the ride as money and religious devotion collide with devastating consequences. We're delighted that it brings a great cast to Santa Barbara, and to once again partner with the English Theatre of Frankfurt."

John Tufts, who wowed area audiences in ETC's 2016 production of I Am My Own Wife (a production that transferred to Laguna Playhouse), returns to Santa Barbara to play the role of Nick Bright. He recently played multiple roles in an acclaimed New York production of Pride and Prejudice. Jameal Ali, who plays the volatile Pakistani kidnapper Bashir, starred in the original New York production. Rounding out the cast are Mujahid Abdul-Rashid and Sarang Sharma.

Photo Credit: David Bazemore