The title of the latest Ensemble Theatre Co. production which opens tonight, “The Invisible Hand,” derives from a theory put forward by Adam Smith that there is an unseen force of equilibrium that rules capitalist market economies, and it has long been applied to investing. When American investment banker Nick Bright, based in Pakistan, is kidnapped by extremists, he uses his wits (and lives up to his name) to save his life by convincing his captors that he can get them as much or more money than the ransom they were planning to demand if they hadn’t mistakenly taken him hostage instead of his bank’s president. He’ll earn it by playing the markets. So begins a taut and timely thriller by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, novelist, and screenwriter Ayad Akhtar. ETC’s production, superbly directed by Artistic Director Jonathan Fox, features outstanding and riveting performances by John Tufts as Nick, Jameal Ali as the hotheaded Bashir, Mujahid Abdul-Rashid as Imam Saleem and Sarang Sharma as Dar. A convincingly war-ravaged set by Charlie Corcoran, dramatic lighting by Jean-Yves Tessier, great costumes by Dianne K. Graebner and heart thumping sound design by Santa Barbara musician Randy Tico make for a gripping and thought provoking evening of great theater. Now through April 29 at the New Vic.
