Avila Theater kicks off homecoming weekend with performance of Talk Radio

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Avila University’s Theatre Department Presents “Talk Radio” During Homecoming Week

Bonnie Mentel

A theatre production of “Talk Radio” will be performed at Avila University’s Goppert Theatre on the Bill & Jean Buchanan Stage Oct. 18-21.

Written by Eric Bogosian, the 1987 Pulitzer Prize-nominated play  is about a big radio personality (think Rush Limbaugh or Howard Stern) whose show is about to go national and be picked up by a number of syndicates. The radio host is having the most extreme night of his life in an on-the-air high pressure scenario that edges on a life crisis breakdown.

“It’s offbeat, kind of outrageous,” says Matt Schwader Harbor, assistant professor of theatre and director of performance studies. “It has a kind of intensity and hard edge to it, but it’s a lot of fun, too.”

Harbor and Dylan G. Bollinger, visiting assistant professor of theatre and director of theatre design/technology, are new professors at Avila who are working to prepare students for careers in professional theatre.

“We’re moving into a whole new era and generation with our programming. We are also going to be opening a new $3 million black box space, with construction beginning this spring. They’ll be breaking ground soon,” Harbor says.

“Talk Radio” was created for stage and based on a concept by Bogosian and Tad Savinar. After it premiered Off-Broadway, it made a Broadway premiere in 2007 and later was adapted for a film directed by Oliver Stone.  Fast-paced and energetic, it’s described as a playbook for a generation of shock jocks.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 18-20 and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 21. The price is $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors. An option available to the public on Oct. 20 is a combination of dinner and show for $28. For advance general tickets or to make a reservation for the pre-show dinner which begins at 6:15 p.m. contact the box office at 816-501-3699 or box.office@avila.edu.