Aaron Loeb Raises Alarm on Venture Capitalist Greed

by Jenyth Jo

I saw a Tesla with a bumper sticker that reads: “I bought this before I knew Elon was crazy.” Musk and his tech bros put profits before people. Aaron Loeb’s new play “R.O.I. (Return on Investment)” suggests that the drive to be #1 comes at a huge human cost, because ethics and humanity take a back seat to profit margins.

In search of a unicorn start-up, eager venture capitalist May Lee (superb Sharon Shao) wants a deal so big that her company can change the world. But the pitches coming across her plate disappoint.

Enter nervous nerd Dr. Willa McGovern (terrific Lauren English) who seeks 30 billion for her start-up Precure, which she claims will predict disease before it strikes. She’ll use gene therapy to cure cancer and Alzheimer’s. She promises to attack Big Pharma’s greed and ineffective “treatment treadmills.” Despite her Girl Scout face and ponytail, she’s a Stanford woman who won’t be denied. Willa’s shaking hands comically betray her anxiety.

What a coup for May—if it’s true. May’s eagerness and charm put us on her side. The shocking ending shows us the cost of her integrity.

Eager May works hard for Paul Montrose (assured Anthony Fusco), founder of the Montrose Fund. He uses his enormous capital for the greater good—that’s his “brand.” This is the kind of angel impact project Montrose loves. But May’s making a deal with the devil.

In an ultra-modern set of corporate offices with giant computer screens, director Jonathan Moscone lights up the corporate jungle with brilliant video images. The smart fridge, Chiller 8.0, takes voice-activated technology into the future. Scrupulous design and rapid-fire dialogue grab our attention.

Within two weeks, the company has increased breast cancer therapy efficiency by 50%. May gets a big case of She-E-O worship, and her white palazzo pants match Willa’s. May is thrilled to launch a woman in the male-dominated world of venture capital.

With a billion-dollar valuation, Precure achieves unicorn status. But all three want more. Dr. Willa claims she wants to keep her company pure, but slowly we learn purity means privileging wealth and whiteness. Rocking designer shoes, Willa power poses in a black pantsuit as she intimidates May and Paul.

Willa’s quick descent into racism and conspiracy sounds all too familiar. Obsessing on “Designer Babies,” Paul falls for Willa, justifying her extremism to astonished May.

For VC angels and unicorns, the bottom line erases all loyalty. How government regulation controls rapid innovation comes into play in a dynamite congressional hearing scene. For two of these three, lying to Congress is just part of the game.

Willa transforms from a scientist with noble intentions to the wealthiest woman in the world. With a trillion dollars on the horizon, who will stay true to their ideals?

Aaron Loeb’s play asks us to protest the ethics of those who implement dehumanizing technology.  As Willa’s self-promotion reeks of Musk-like madness, we laugh at the wit in Loeb’s excellent exploration of a world-changing idea that becomes monstrous under Wall Street’s influence.

 

“R.O.I. (Return on Investment)” by Aaron Loeb, directed by Jonathan Moscone, set by Bill English, lighting by Charlie Mejia, sound by James Ard, costumes by Y. Sharon Peng, projections by Sarah Phykitt, and props by Justin Hammer, by S.F. Playhouse, at Creativity Theater, 221 Fourth Street, San Francisco.

Info: sfplayhouse.org – to September 5, 2026.

Cast:  Lauren English, Anthony Fusco, Sharon Shao, and Bonnie Akimoto.

Banner photo: Paul (Anthony Fusco), Willa (Lauren English), and May (Sharon Shao) speak at a congressional hearing. Photos by Jessica Palopoli