Production Dates: Aug 24–Sept 8, 2018
Opening Night: Aug 24, 2018
HOUSTON— 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.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
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).
DETAILS
CALENDAR LISTING
Theatre/Performing Arts
WHAT
Talk Radio
WHO
Written by Eric Bogosian
Directed by John Patterson (77077)
Featuring
Role Actor (ZIP) Previous DDTCo. credits
Bernie Curtis Barber* (77035) Dirt Dogs debut
Barry Champlain Kevin Daugherty (77551) A Steady Rain (Denny), Life x 3 (Henry)
Dan William Giffen* (77386) Glengarry Glen Ross (Dave Moss),
The Exonerated (Jesse)
Susan Fleming Melody Gray* (77006) Dirt Dogs debut
Stu Shawn Havranek (77346) Student Playwright Festival: Insomnia (Melfius)
Spike Robert Jamerson* (77024) Student Playwright Festival: Cassandra (Sal)
Kent George Knapp* (77055) Dirt Dogs debut
Linda Adina Owen* (77009) Dirt Dogs debut
Sid Greenberg Sean Keith Thompson* (77380) Dirt Dogs debut
Ensemble Callers* Seth Cunnigham (77019) Dirt Dogs debut
Donna Bella Litton (77377) Dirt Dogs debut
Anjana Menon (77008) Dirt Dogs debut
WHEN
Aug 24–Sept 8, 2018
PERFORMANCES
Opening night
Friday, Aug 24, 2018 (reception following the performance)
Evenings
8pm | Fridays & Saturdays, Aug 24, 25 & 31, Sept 1, 7 & 8
7:30pm | Thursdays Aug 30 & Sept 6
7:30pm | Monday, Sept 3
Matinees
2pm | Sundays, Aug 26 & Sept 2
Talk back (with director and cast)
Thursdays, Aug 30 & Sept 6 | after the performance
Approximate run time
1 hr and 30 min. (no intermission)
WHERE
MATCH – Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston
Matchbox 3, The John P. McGovern Foundation Theater, 3400 Main St., Houston, TX 77002
BOX OFFICE
713.521.4533 | https://matchouston.org/events/2018/talk-radio
TICKETS
Single tickets, $25
Matinees and Industry Mondays are “Pay What You Can”
PRESS CONTACT
Trevor B. Cone, Executive Director
- 5113
ABOUT DIRT DOGS THEATRE CO.
Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. creates multi-faceted theatrical productions that enrich and entertain audiences, inspire artists, and honor playwrights. It was established in 2015 by Houston theatre veterans, Trevor B. Cone, Malinda L. Beckham, and John Baker. Dirt Dogs collaborates with Houston artists and playwrights to provide an opportunity for new works to be seen, and previously produced ones to breathe new life. www.dirtdogstheatre.org.