(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Acclaimed actor and playwright Eric Bogosian (Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll; Talk Radio; Suburbia) has a new workshop production of his play 1+1 at Black Box PAC, now playing in Englewood through December 5th.
This riveting, intimate three-hander explores how a modern woman can still rise and fall at whim of the men in her life. In 1+1, an unsuspecting aspiring actress in Los Angeles makes a seemingly innocent choice that lures her into the lucrative world of internet porn, and her fate seems caught between the two men who couldn't seem more opposite yet might have more in common than first meets the eye...
The play takes place in LA, but transcends time and place. "Los Angeles is a place where many people have shallow roots," Mr. Bogosian writes, "And where people have ambitions that are often beyond their grasp. But this could happen anywhere." 1+1 had an out of town production a few years back by New York Stage and Film at Vassar. It is now in the hands of Bergen County's plucky BBPAC Repertory Company, courtesy of Mr. Bogosian: "I totally support smaller companies and if this helps them out, I'm all for it. And I'm very pleased to have actors doing my work. I love these characters and want to seem them come to life."
Throughout the rehearsal process, Mr. Bogosian was continually in touch with the actors, answering their questions and helping them explore the characters. "I create characters that I think will be fun to play and watch. I think about the roles from an actor's perspective."
Mr. Bogosian is a successful actor and writer, known for his six solo works produced Off-Broadway between 1980 and 2000 (three Obie Awards, Drama Desk) and his play, Talk Radio (nominated for Pulitzer Prize and for the 2007 revival, the Tony award). For Oliver Stone's film adaptation of "Talk Radio" (in which he starred), Bogosian received the Berlin Film Festival “Silver Bear.” In 1994, Lincoln Center Theater produced his play subUrbia and the revival was staged at Second Stage in 2006. In 2010, he starred in Donald Margulies’ Broadway production of Time Stands Still alongside Laura Linney, Brian Darcy James, Alicia Silverstone and Christina Ricci. In addition, Bogosian is the author of three novels as well as numerous plays produced outside New York City. In 2015, Little, Brown published his non-fiction of an Armenian assassination team, “Operation Nemesis.” Bogosian is also known for his work as an actor, currently seen in the television series “Law & Order”, “Billions” and “Succession.” In 2019, he played "Arno" in the hit film, “Uncut Gems.”
"My advice to budding actors and writers is to act and write. As much as you can, at whatever level you can. And if you don't have any opportunities to do that, make the opportunities - form your own group, write on spec. Meet together once a week and do scene study or write scenes for others to act in. There is no substitute for practice."
1+1 runs now through December 5 at the Black Box Performing Arts Center: 49 E Palisade Ave in Englewood, NJ (right over the George Washington Bridge). Tickets are $35 and can be reserved online. Following this, Neil LaBute's ten X ten continues it's regional premiere workshop at BBPAC, along with a special weekend of new short works from John Guare, Caridad Svich, and others. A work for the stage by legendary filmmaker by Paul Schrader is slated to be workshopped at Black Box in early 2022.
Photo Credits: Monique Carboni (Eric Bogosian headshot) Amy Lebovics (cast photo)
