Photo Flash: First Look at Steven Pasquale and More in Ayad Akhtar's JUNK on Broadway

Lincoln Center Theater presents Junk, a new play by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Doug Hughes, currently in previews at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street). Opening night for Junk is Thursday, November 2. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Junk stars Ito Aghayere, Phillip James Brannon, Tony Carlin, Demosthenes Chrysan, Jenelle Chu, Caroline Hewitt, Rick Holmes, Ted Koch, Ian Lassiter, Teresa Avia Lim, Adam Ludwig, Sean McIntyre, Nate Miller, Steven Pasquale, Ethan Phillips, Matthew Rauch, Matthew Saldivar, Charlie Semine, Michael Siberry, Miriam Silverman, Joey Slotnick, Henry Stram and Stephanie Umoh.

It's 1985. Robert Merkin (Pasquale), the resident genius of the upstart investment firm SackeR Lowell, has just landed on the cover of Time Magazine. Hailed as "America's Alchemist," his proclamation that "debt is an asset" has propelled him to dizzying heights. Zealously promoting his belief in the near-sacred infallibility of markets, he is trying to re-shape the world.

JUNK is the story of Merkin's assault on American capitalism's holy of holies, the "deal of the decade," his attempt to takeover an iconic American manufacturing company and, in the process, to change all the rules. What Merkin sets in motion is nothing less than a financial civil war, pitting magnates against workers, lawyers against journalists, and ultimately, pitting every one against themselves.

Set over 30 years ago, this is a play about how, while most of us weren't watching, money became the only thing of real value.

Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson

A scene from the Lincoln Center Theater production of Junk by Ayad Akhtar

Teresa Avia Lim and Michael Siberry

Ito Aghayere and Matthew Saldivar

Steven Pasquale as Robert Merkin

Henry Stram (standing) and Rick Holmes (seated)

Joey Slotnick (center) and the company of Junk

Matthew Rauch and Steven Pasquale