Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. Shocks The Airwaves With TALK RADIO

It's 1987 and Barry Champlain, a controversial on-air radio "shock jock" is doing what he does best: treating his late-night callers with contempt. But when his Cleveland-based program is considered for national syndication and his producer cautions him about offending sponsors, Barry defiantly responds and excoriates his audience...but they just keep calling.

Director John Patterson describes Barry Champlain as a self-proclaimed voice crying in the wilderness. "Every evening the 'faithful' call in to the show seeking something; for some it's money, some validation, others simply for a chance to be heard. Most go away empty-handed and as the show progresses, we are left with the realization that it is never a good idea for man to play at being God. It never ends well."

Talk Radio, finalist for the 1988 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, is based in part on the assassination of radio host Alan Berg, as well as the book Talked to Death: The Life and Murder of Alan Berg by Stephen Singular.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Eric Bogosian is not only the author of Talk Radio, but also starred as Barry Champlain in the original productions. In 1988, he adapted the play into a screenplay with assistance from director, Oliver Stone. His play-to-screenwriting credits also include Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll and SubUrbia. After SubUrbia, Bogosian concentrated on acting. His credits include the Oscar-nominated comedy, Deconstructing Harry, Gossip, In the Weeds and Ararat. Talk Radio earned Bogosian a Silver Bear award for his screenplay as well as his acting.

John Patterson is making his directorial debut with Dirt Dogs Theatre Co., but DDTCo. audiences will remember him from our recent production of The Exonerated as Gary, as well as its composer and musician. For the past 25 years, Patterson has been working in Texas and New York as an actor, musician, director, composer, and fight coach.

Patterson also serves as the show's scenic and sound designer, and the three founding members of DDTCo. also work on the production. Artistic Director Malinda L. Beckham is the costume and property designer, Executive Director Trevor B. Cone is the audio engineer and Design Director John Baker is the production manager. The remaining crew includes Barbara Alicea-Aponte (production stage manager), Erin Newsom (assistant stage manager), Mark Lewis (lighting design), Amira Judeh (scenic artist & vocal coach), and Carly Gregg (light and sound operator).