"I guess we're stuck with each other," controversial late-night radio talk show host Barry Champlain (Liev Schreiber) says at one point, describing the symbiotic love-hate relationship he and his listeners share in this riveting Broadway revival of Eric Bogosian's 1987 play Talk Radio. A kind of combination Bill O'Reilly and Howard Stern, Champlain discusses the various issues of the day, fielding questions and comments from listeners ranging from Neo-Nazi racists to lonely everyday people with nothing else to do.
Hugely popular, Champlain has a violent temper and is on the edge of a burnout, constantly alienating everyone close to him, including his station manager/sometimes girlfriend (Stephanie March), longtime studio engineer (Michael Laurence), and station owner (Peter Hermann). Champlain's incessant belief (or ego) which allows him to claim that he knows the callers better than anyone else continuously leads him to take unnecessary chances, creating situations which may lead to disaster.
However, Champlain needs these callers just as much as they need him. More than a job, being on the air is probably the only time he truly feels alive. This feeding off each other is a theme Bogosian (who played the role originally) comes back to time and again, and it's fascinating to watch. Possibly the most sobering moment in the play is when Champlain lambastes his listeners about this relationship, yet it all goes over their heads, so eager are they to get their few seconds in the spotlight.
Schreiber is very good in the role, effectively merging with the character and becoming a walking mass of anger and self-destruction. Strong direction by Robert Falls, as well as Mark Wendland's brilliant set that makes us feel we're in the place and time the story is set (a radio station, circa 1987), helps immeasurably. Because of the way the show is structured, the audience, like the listeners, knows almost nothing about Champlain or what makes him tick.
It's up to the recollection of his co-workers to fill in the blanks, all of which fit nicely into the story. Also good are the voices of the various callers, most of which are stereotypical at points, but come across as quite realistic in the context of the play. High marks go to March and Sebastian Stan, the latter as a drugged-out caller who winds up invited on the show.
Also in the cast are Adam Sietz, Cornell Womack, Kit Williamson, Marc Thompson, Christy Pusz, Barbara Rosenblat, and Christine Pedi.
Talk Radio
Longacre Theatre
220 West 48th Street
Tickets: 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Open Run
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication The Stage.
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