
THE INVISIBLE HAND
by Ayad Akhtar
Directed by Stephanie Gularte
“…a scary (and dreadfully funny) treatise on the universality of greed.” —Variety
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar lays bare the raw, unfettered power of global finance in this intense, fast-moving, and contemporary political drama. This “throat-clenching thriller” (NY MAGAZINE) follows a kidnapped American investment banker, held for ransom in Pakistan. But with no one negotiating his release, he agrees to an unusual plan. THE INVISIBLE HAND is a chilling and complex look at how far we will go to save ourselves and the devastating ramifications of our individual actions on global power and politics.
What is the cost of American capitalism in the Middle East?
May 31 – June 25, 2017
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MUJAHID ABDUL-RASHID* (Imam Saleem) is happy to return to American Stage. He was most recently seen as Bynum in JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE at (American Stage). Other characters are Becker in JITNEY (American Stage), Troy in FENCES (Short North Theater, Ohio) Other August Wilson characters are Caesar in GEM OF THE OCEAN (Cygnet Theater, San Diego), Doaker in THE PIANO LESSON,(The Portland Playhouse, OR), Doub in JITNEY (The Portland Playhouse), Memphis Lee in TWO TRAINS RUNNING (Theater Works, Palo Alto, CA), Canewell in SEVEN GUITARS (The Lorraine Hansberry Theater, SF, CA) and Hedley in SEVEN GUITARS (The Artist Rep Portland, OR)

JOE DITMYER* (Nick Bright) most recently played Sam Phillips in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Florida Studio Theatre. Other recent regional credits include: Frederick Treves in THE ELEPHANT MAN (Hippodrome Theatre), Lieutenant Kelly in BUTLER (Florida Studio Theatre), Dr. Sanderson in HARVEY (starring Charles Shaughnessy), and Bill Ray in ON GOLDEN POND (starring Mike Farrell). NYC credits include: WAR UNCENSORED, FAUSTUS, MOSES MY LOVE, MIM, and A CASE IS NEVER CLOSED. Metropolitan Opera credits include: LADY MACBETH OF MTSENSK, and CARMEN. National Tours include: Eddie in SHEAR MADNESS, Joe in DAMN YANKEES, and James in SHENANDOAH. Film and Television: THE FAMILY, BLACKEST DAYS, DEAD SOULS, THE INTERNATIONAL, AS THE WORLD TURNS, LAW AND ORDER SVU, and AREA 51 DECLASSIFIED. Special thanks to my amazing Mom. I miss you every single day.

BENJAMIN T. ISMAIL* (Bashir) is very happy to be returning to make his American Stage acting debut after directing the recent AS production of INFORMED CONSENT and last season’s 4000 MILES. Selected acting credits include TARTUFFE (Berkeley Rep); DISGRACED, SPEECH & DEBATE, TRIBES, THE SANTALAND DIARIES (Capital Stage); PETER PAN, THE SECRET GARDEN (Playhouse on the Square) CLOUD 9, THE PILLOWMAN, THE SUBMISSION, COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY (Big Idea Theatre); THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, CINDERELLA (Sacramento Theatre Co). Benjamin is also a Producing Director and former Artistic Director of Big Idea Theatre in Northern California, where he has directed dozens of shows. He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

SHREY NEIL (Dar) is thrilled to be making his American Stage debut in the regional premiere of Obie Award winning play The Invisible Hand written by Ayad Akhtar. Shrey will appear in the upcoming feature film GIRLS TRIP (Universal Pictures). His previous credits include an appearance as Harold Dobbs in PROOF (Heather Theater). He is regularly seen performing as a member of the team As Per Usual, a part of the House Team Improv Series at American Stage. He has trained at the Performers Studio Workshop, American Conservatory Theatre, Yale University, and Shakespeare Theatre Company. He is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA. Special thanks to Stephanie Gularte.
Spotlight Series: PROLOGUE
30 minutes prior to every performance
Arrive early and enjoy our new interactive prologue series. The discussion will explore fascinating details about the play and the artists prior to select performances. FREE to THE INVISIBLE HAND ticket holders
Spotlight on…THE INVISIBLE HAND: FORUM
Monday, June 12th | 7pm
$5 for General Public
Free for American Stage Subscribers and Act 1 Club Members
What are the roots of Islamic terrorism? What role does the American dollar play in events that shape terrorist activities around the world? THE INVISIBLE HAND raises these very raw questions about the past, present,and future.
American Stage FORUMs dig deeper into the relevant and often controversial topics explored by our MainStage productions. Join a panel of local experts for a lively conversation on the global impact of money and terrorism as we further explore THE INVISIBLE HAND.
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Ashok Kalro, Member of the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College (ASPEC,) formerly a telecommunications engineer and planner at Bell Labs
Evan Whittle, Senior Vice President of Investments at Raymond James
Young American Night
Thursday, June 08 | Happy Hour at 7PM | Show at 8PM
Young Americans between the ages of 21-29 are invited to enjoy THE INVISIBLE HAND with BOGO Specialty Drinks. After the performance, join us at Station House St. Pete where you will be given a free drink voucher good for a beer, wine, or our THE INVISIBLE HAND specialty drink!
YOUNG AMERICANS between the ages of 21-29 are invited to use promo code UNDER30 to access $15 tickets. Code can be only be used for one ticket per order when purchased online. Otherwise you can call the Box Office at 727-823-7529 or email youngamerican@americanstag
Spotlight Series: FOREWORD
Guest Speaker: Stephanie Gularte
Date: Sunday May 21 at 1PM
Take your theatre going experience to the next level through an informative and entertaining lecture. Professor Emerita, Dedee Aleccia, will speak on the history, context, and characters of THE INVISIBLE HAND.
Spotlight Series: CHATBACK
Thursday, June 08
Sunday, June 11
Sunday, June 18
Talk-back with the cast of THE INVISIBLE HAND
“A smart and tense political drama…tightly woven” – Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times
“Suspenseful…provocative…[and] unexpected” – Mark E. Leib, Creative Loafing
“A provocative play, not to be missed…” -William B. Oser, Talkin’ Broadway
