Theater Review – January 11, 2026

ATC’S “HEIST” IS A DISAPPOINTING MYSTERY WITH NOTHING TO CREATE A STRONG PRODUCTION

“Heist”

Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

It’s rare when the Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) presents a disappointing production but such is the case with the American premiere who-dun-it “Heist.”  While the staging is decent, it is a long way from ATC’s finest with an inferior scenic design of a hard-to-decipher contemporary New York locale, cliched and directed lighting, non-distinct present-day garb, plodding direction, and acting that reaches for every mystery character stereotype, but it is Arun Lakra’s script that dooms “Heist.”

Even though the play runs at a brisk two-hours, it seems to drag on and on as there are no interesting characters, plot twists, or unexpected revelations throughout the meandering piece.  This is a standard thriller with little unique to set it apart from run-of-the-mill mysteries.

It didn’t take long to figure out the “surprise” ending shortly into the first act.  After the intermission, the plot took no unexpected twists or turns so the previously figured out ending wandered until “revealed.”  The ending seemed to slog on forever as audience sighs revealed that many had figured out the ending with much of the play still to go.

Everything about “Heist” is a pale copy of standard mysteries seen innumerable times before.  If a new thriller is to be born, it better have something different to grip audiences already familiar with the genre.

A detailed plot summary would destroy none of “Heist’s” story so disclosing the devious character who hopes to capture the prize gem at the play’s center wouldn’t mar it but no more details here.

Matt August’s staging lets the frail play plod and it never gets the audience involved but this is less August’s problem and is all the play’s fault.  There were several audience defections at the intermission because the play offered no intrigue.

The acting ensemble portrays the superficial and easily understood characters with no particular moxie.  There’s nothing wrong with the performances but the lackluster personas are so predictable that they give the cast nothing to explore.

Matthew Floyd Miller is bland as plot instigator Marvin.  Jessica Fishenfeld plays manipulator Angie routinely, Ethan Henry is loud-mouthed tough-man Kruger providing nothing out of the ordinary, Jynk Zavala is technical schemer Fiona who adds zilch, and Brandon Ruiter is pretty boy Ryan using cliches to make the character quickly recognizable.  Valerie Perri plays The Spider with stern fortitude as the gem’s owner.

ATC is one of the Valley’s most consistent and expert theater companies but an insipid mystery leaves the company with nothing to spark production values.  “Heist” continues through January 25 at the Tempe Center for the Arts.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the Arizona Theatre Company box office at 833-ATC-SEAT or order online at www.atc.org.

Grade: C