Written by Steve Cosson and Jocelyn Clarke
Conceived and directed by Steve Cosson
With Robert M. Johanson, Jennifer Morris, Joshua David Robinson, Maya Sharpe, and Colleen Werthmann
Made from archival interviews from WNYC’s "Arts Forum," a 1970s radically open format radio show about avant garde artists, this world premiere enlists an experimental storytelling method in homage to its downtown subjects. The result is a hilariously naturalistic, wholly live experience.
The cast of Radio Downtown channels some of the era’s most audacious visionaries like Harry Smith, Yvonne Rainer, and Kenneth Anger using their words verbatim with arresting images and films made by these artists. The resulting show invites us to see a future as imagined by these '70s trailblazers—an erasure of the line between art & audience; a cultural community that embraces political activism; and an abundant, wild, and fully democratic creative life for America.
The Civilians is a New York City company that creates thrilling theater on the urgent, exciting questions of our time. We create shows using a unique method we call "investigative theater"—interviews, research, residencies, and up-close collaborations to dive into the lives of others. We also nurture new work by some of America’s leading playwrights and composers. The result: shows that blend the real and the theatrical to give new perspective on today’s big social and political questions.
Read more at: www.thecivilians.org
★★★★ "A kaleidoscope of ideas and visual metaphors"
"A satisfying blend of documentary storytelling and madcap character work that brings 1970s New York to life."– The Front Row Center
"This fast-paced piece explodes the narrow confines of radio and broadens the definition of 'play.'"– OffOffOnline
"The company is exceedingly nimble when swapping out personas"
"An invigorating dip in New York City's rogue past"– Lighting and Sound America
"A kooky, loving tribute to a bygone age of New York intellectualism"– The New Yorker
"The Civilians never disappoint!"– Hi! Drama
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