Production History

In 2007, twenty years after the Talk Radio experienced a successful Broadway revival at the Longacre Theater in a production starring Tony award winning actor, Liev Schreiber in the role of Barry Champlain. Talk Radio was originally produced at the Portland Center for the Arts in 1985. It was first performed in New York City at the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival in 1987, a production in which the playwright, Eric Bogosian played the starring role.

About the Playwright

Eric Bogosian (1953-   ) has, over a career of more than twenty-five years, authored five full-length plays and created six full-length solo shows, including subUrbia; Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll; Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead;and Drinking in America. He originated the role of Barry Champlain in the Broadway premier of Talk Radio and revised the role in the 1988 film version. He has appeared in numerous theatrical, film, and television productions, notably, the crime series Law and Order: Criminal Intent and the films Deconstructing Harry (1997) and Ararat (2002). Mr. Bogosian is the recipient of three OBIE Awards and a Drama Desk Award.   

About the Actors Theatre of San Francisco

The Actors Theatre of San Francisco has grown from a collection of actors with a common vision into one of the Bay Area's most acclaimed theatre companies.  Founded in 1989 by a group of professional actors and directors who shared a common desire to produce ensemble theatre works, the founding members of Actors Theatre committed themselves to creating a permanent repertory company whose work would reflect their ideals of ensemble theatre: a theatre where all participants share the same artistic vision, have a unified approach to the rehearsal process, and a desire to create revelatory theatre that surpasses their desire for individual gain. ATSF has focused on the human interactions at the core of each play and has presented, with its signature style of disciplined ensemble work, an eclectic repertoire that has included World and US premieres, West Coast and Northern California premieres of major new plays and playwrights as well as some of the great classics of the American stage.  Now in its twentieth season, ATSF has gained a reputation for producing compelling, cohesive works noted for their seamless ensembles.