Characters and Casting

Statement on Non-traditional Casting

Eric Bogosian’s Talk Radio is a play that on the surface seems perfect for utilizing non-traditional casting, but upon deeper inspection can prove problematic when trying to cast cross-racially. While one can make the argument that the role of Barry Champlain can be played by any race, the fact that the script includes a caller that calls Barry a “jewboy” suggests that if one casts the role without regard to race that special attention should be placed on finding an actor who does not have a dialect that could be recognized as a specific race. At a certain point in the script a caller who calls in identifies himself as “black.” At this revelation, Barry comments that “everyone should own one.” This particular phrase can make it problematic to cast the role with no regard to race at all. It is important to note that the two Broadway productions (the original and the revival) cast Barry as a white male. The argument could be made that Barry could be played by a black male, in spite of the above reference, and the comment then might be viewed as ironic and sarcastic. Of course, this would need to be explored by the specific production and the actors in the production. The roles of Sid Greenberg, Bernie, Dan Woodruff, and even Kent really could be played by any race. The importance of these roles really lies in how the actor embodies the character and this can be achieved by a talented actor of any race. The callers in the original production utilize very specific racially and socio-economically identifiable dialects often chosen by the playwright because of the area around Cleveland that the caller was calling from. In the revival this became less important and when Bogosian revised the script some of the callers were omitted and new callers were written in that reflected the new demographic of the area (it is safe to say that in twenty years many things have changed). The revisions make race less important with regard to casting. However, there is one caller that is clearly anti-Semitic and there is one caller that identifies himself as black. These are two specific instances that one who is casting the production should consider. Of course, these nuances are most important to consider if the production chooses to actually show the callers.

In regard to gender, it is more difficult to apply non-traditional casting. Although the Talk Radio is not a play that is specifically about gender, it is the gender of the characters that holds the fabric of these relationships together. For example, just the names of the characters themselves are gender specific: Linda, Barry, Susan, Dan. Further supporting the importance of specific gender for specific role is the revelation of Linda MacArthur’s sexual involvement with Barry Champlain. Another is Kent’s initial story that his girlfriend is unresponsive. This insinuates he is the boyfriend. Perhaps, one could make the argument that Kent could be played by a woman calling in about her girlfriend (lesbian lovers), but later when Kent arrives at the station he gives a shout-out to “Diamond Dave and Billy the bass player and the babes at the mall.” This is more indicative of a male figure, in my opinion. Particularly when taken in the context that the play is set in 1987. It is again important to note that the decision to reveal the callers or to keep them off-stage would be an important consideration when deciding whether a male could be the voice of a female or vice versa.

Talk Radio is perfect for casting actors with disabilities. Since the play is set in a radio station, there is very little movement required of the actors and the movement that is required. It could be performed by someone in a wheelchair or on crutches fairly easily. The callers, by their very nature, could be represented by an actor with a disability quite readily. There is a caller who is a Vietnam Veteran who calls in and talks to Barry. He is wheelchair bound due to amputation. Although the play is not primarily about disability, it is nice that there is a specific reference to an individual with a disability. Again, the decision must be made whether to actually show the characters or not when deciding how to handle this particular character.

Talk Radio contains certain racial references, gender references, etc that should be looked at closely when deciding if non-traditional casting is the right way to go. It is important to keep in mind whether the callers are only going to be heard or if they are going to be seen. It is, however, worth looking at from the perspective of trying to use non-traditional casting.