be in on the con.
NEW YORK PREMIERE
“INVENTIVE, INGENIOUS, UNFOLDS WITH A WHOLE LOT OF STYLE, SMARTS AND CHARM…LIKE STEPPING GIDDILY INTO A JUNIOR-VARSITY VERSION OF 'THE STING.”
— SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE
CRITIC’S PICK
TOP TEN PLAY OF THE YEAR
what is it?
THE GRIFT is a thrilling adventure, turning everyday participants into master con men.
Dropping its audience into the middle of an adventure in which they are trained in the art of the con, participants meet characters, solve clues and get a masterclass in the ways of the grifter, all in the interest pulling off one final swindle to take down a seamy criminal mastermind.
Audiences will have their intelligence tested and learn time honored hustles like The Pig In The Poke, The Round-The Corner, and The Money Swap...but in the end will you be sharp enough to take down an criminal kingpin at his own game?
Part immersive theater, part game, THE GRIFT transforms you from passive observer into active conspirator — a masterclass in deception, cunning and charm.
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“IMPRESSIVELY WELL EXECUTED...AN ABSOLUTE BLAST.”
—LONDONIST ★★★★★
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“HUGELY ENTERTAINING.”
—REVIEWS GATE ★★★★
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“EXQUISITELY ENJOYABLE...THE CAST OOZE ENTHUSIASM. A FUN RIDE IS GUARANTEED.”
—THE UPCOMING ★★★★
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“INFECTIOUSLY GOOD FUN.”
—THE STAGE ★★★★
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“A QUIRKY, INGENIOUS AND ALTOGETHER DELIGHTFUL PIECE OF ENTERTAINMENT. DEVISER AND DIRECTOR TOM SALAMON HAS CREATED A LOGISTICAL MASTERPIECE THAT PALPABLY CONVEYS A SENSE OF DANGER AND URGENCY AS IT PROGRESSES. A HECK OF A LOT OF FUN.”
—WHAT’S ON STAGE ★★★★
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“EVERYTHING YOU WANT FROM A TRUE IMMERSIVE THEATRE EXPERIENCE – A SETTING THAT FITS THE STORY LIKE A GLOVE, ACTORS THAT MAKE YOU FORGET THEY’RE ACTORS, SMALL DETAILS THAT BUILD OUT THE STORY’S WORLD, AND A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE THAT PUTS YOU RIGHT IN THE THICK OF THE ACTION AND COMPELS YOU TO PARTICIPATE."
— LONDON ON THE INSIDE
ABOUT the show
The Grift premiered in 2015, produced and presented by Tony-Award winning La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA. An inventive, unique, and wildly entertaining piece of immersive theater, it enjoyed a sold-out eight week run and was named a critic’s pick and top ten play of the year by the San Diego Union Tribune. In 2017, Tarento Productions brought The Grift to London, where it enjoyed a successful nine-week run and was called ”an altogether delightful piece of entertainment” by What’s On Stage, “Infectiously good fun” by The Stage and “an absolute blast” by Londonist.
about the creator
THE GRIFT is the latest offering from pioneering immersive theater writer/director Tom Salamon, whose previous credits include Accomplice (NYC, Los Angeles, and London—produced by Neil Patrick Harris and The Menier Chocolate Factory), Goosebumps Alive (The Vaults, London) Disney’s Encanto (Thea Award Winner), The Little Mermaid, Bluey and immersive experiences for Amazon Prime, Netflix, Starz, and others. Tom has developed work for the Walt Disney Company for use in their theme parks, cruises and tours.
Tom’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Time Out New York, Time Out London, The Guardian, CNN, Variety, The LA Times, The Hollywood Reporter, LA Weekly, New York Magazine, and many others.