Long Island City's Chain Theatre Starts 16-Show Run of Talk Radio on Friday

Alan Berg was a Denver talk radio host with extremely liberal views and a brash, confrontational style. His life ended abruptly in 1984, when he was fatally shot in his driveway by two members of a white supremacy group. His story inspired a book, movies and a Pulitzer-nominated play by Eric Bogosian, entitled “Talk Radio.” The theatrical stage show is set in the studio of Cleveland’s WTLK Radio over the course of a two-hour broadcast led by Barry Champlain. The shock jock verbally jousts with his unseen callers, ranging from a white supremacist to a woman who is obsessed with her garbage disposal. Meanwhile, the provoking protagonist is being scrutinized by his coffee- and cocaine-fueled producers, who dream of taking the program to a national audience. Champlain also has some funny interactions with his on-again-off-again girlfriend/producer and a former deejay.

With a talent-rich cast, Talk Radio begins a 16-show run at The Chain Theatre, a two-story black box events venue in Long island City, on September 12th. The show goes on thanks to a partnership with the Variations Theatre Group, an independent company of collaborating artists who aim to produce intellectually engaging, muscular drama.

Details: Talk Radio, The Chain Theatre, 21-28 45th Road, Long Island City, September 12th through September 27th, dates and times vary, but most shows start at 8 pm and a few weekend performances begin at 2 pm, $18 general admission.

Photo: Variations Theatre Group