Eric Bogosian is known for his monologues that explore the lowest depths of humanity, and his high-octane Talk Radio falls in line with that style. Compelling as a piece of theatre and stinging as a piece of social commentary, the one-act play offers a tour-de-force role for a leading actor in the role of Barry Champlain, a profane shock jock in the vein of Howard Stern. The play was loosely inspired by the murder of radio host Alan Berg, known for his staunch atheism and confrontational interview style. Though in some ways the play may feel dated, in others it is as relevant as ever as Bogosian paints a compelling and at times devastatingly familiar portrait of America’s cultural ills.
Talk Radio guide sections
