By Joe Siegel

Providence – The Players conclude their 2025-2026 season with the drama, “Talk Radio,” directed by Terry Shea.

Eric Bogosian’s 1987 play is about a controversial shock jock named Barry Champlain. As his Cleveland-based call-in show is considered for national syndication, Champlain has to come to terms with his abrasive persona and the anger he provokes in his callers.

Shea watched director Oliver Stone’s 1988 motion picture adaptation (which starred Bogosian) several times and wanted to see it on a stage.

“I love the show and I’m doing a show I want to see,” Shea explained.

The cast features Justin Pimentel as Barry, along with Ian Hudgins, Kevin Thibault, Lauren Kieler, Ron Martin, David Crossley, Mark Roberts, Emma Starbird, and Nancy Winokoor.

The “callers” include Kelly Barry, Jay Burns, Paula Faber, Lee Rush, Richard Griffin, Marcia Layden, Barry Smith, and Geoff White.

“It’s a huge great group of actors,” Shea noted. “It’s kind of a dream team because it’s people who don’t normally all work at Barker (Playhouse). There’s people working together that would probably be never put together in a play anywhere else.”

Shea has appeared in several productions, including “Wait Until Dark,” “Macbeth,” “Sweeney Todd,” and “Deathtrap.” He has also done sound design and multimedia design. Eight years ago, he formed the West Bay Community Theater in North Kingstown. Last summer, Shea directed the musical “Chicago.”

Directing a production allows Shea to realize a specific vision, an opportunity he would not have if he was just acting in the show.

“I’m always looking at the technical (aspects) as well as the performance, as well as the publicity, as well as everything that goes into producing and staging a play. Being a director allows me to do all of it.”

Shea believes “Talk Radio” will resonate with audiences in a highly polarized political climate.

“I hope they take away how timely this is, especially after (the assassination of conservative podcaster) Charlie Kirk,” Shea added. “The whole question of the first amendment and what is the responsibility of exercising that right.”

Talk Radio opens on May 8 and runs through May 17 at Barker Playhouse. For tickets, visit https://www.playersri.org/

Shea, second from left, in Wait Until Dark. Photo courtesy of The Players.