Star’s Ego Slip Gets Solid Support in ‘Talk Radio’

There is no plot to “Talk Radio.” Basically, this rather slight play is an examination of talk show host Barry Champlain, whose crumbling sense of self-worth is at odds with his towering ego.

At Stages, the role is played by Gavin Carlton, who also directed the production. Usually an actor who directs himself is like an attorney defending himself: He has a fool for a client. But Carlton proves capable of the stunt. He knows this guy Champlain, plays him without pity or empathy and brings an urgency that helps pump life into what is essentially an evening with a talking head.

Carlton, along with Mitch Faris, also designed the realistic and moody set, a radio studio complete with control room. Kirk Huff’s lighting is equally realistic, and Faris and Brian Newell have come up with a technically solid sound design. The atmosphere has just the right pang of loneliness to match Champlain’s emotional and intellectual loneliness.

Carlton has cast the supporting roles impeccably, with one exception: Matt Tully, as the young, spaced-out druggie who calls Champlain while overdosed. Tully is too far overboard to be anywhere near believable and unfocuses the integrity of the rest of the staging.

But Adam Clark brings a fine honesty to the role of Stu Noonan, the efficient, beleaguered engineer who knows Champlain’s flaws but remains an admirer. And Tracy Perdue brings a refreshing sense of naivete to her portrait of Linda, Champlain’s assistant, who beds and berates her boss with equal nonchalance.

There’s also a lot of truth behind Brian Kojac’s vivid characterization of Dan Woodruff, the sleazy, small-time operator who manages Champlain and waits with a sardonic smile for him to self-destruct. In smaller roles, David Amitin, Barney Evans, Paige Giffin and Francis Bacon do equally well.

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* “Talk Radio,” Stages, 1188 N. Fountain Way, Anaheim. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. Ends Sunday. $10. (714) 630-3059. Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.

Gavin Carlton: Barry Champlain

Tracy Perdue: Linda MacArthur

Adam Clark: Stu Noonan

Brian Kojac: Dan Woodruff

Betty Riggs, Mitch Faris, Martin WilliamsCallers

Matt Tully: Kent

David Amitin: Sid Greenberg

Barney Evans: Bernie

Paige Giffin: Dr. Susan Fleming

Francis Bacon: Spike

A Stages Entertainment Group production of a play by Eric Bogosian, produced by Dan Michelson, directed by Gavin Carlton. Scenic design: Carlton, Mitch Faris. Sound design: Faris, Brian Newell. Lighting design: Kirk Huff.