AI companionship can soothe loneliness, but can technology meet our human need for connection, as painful and messy as it can be? Psychologist Paul Bloom probed that quintessentially modern question in “A.I. Is About to Solve Loneliness. That’s a Problem,” published in 2025 by The New Yorker. Now, actors Bill Murray (Lost in Translation, Rushmore), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis, The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window at BAM), and Lois Smith (East of Eden, Five Easy Pieces) will perform Bloom's article in a live call-in radio show, presented by Theater of War On The Radio on stage at BAM’s Harvey Theater.
The reading will be followed by a discussion led by Kai Wright (WNYC’s Notes from America, The Guardian’s Stateside) and Bryan Doerries (Artistic Director, Theater of War), featuring calls from listeners. Audience members will also be able to participate in the discussion following the conclusion of the radio broadcast.
This special evening concludes the spring season of Theater of War On the Radio, a series that combines readings of timely news stories by all-star casts with listener call-ins. The reading, discussion, and listener calls will be broadcast live from the stage of the Harvey Theater on WNYC and wnyc.org.
About Theater of War Productions
Theater of War Productions presents charged performances of seminal texts—led by acclaimed actors such as Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, Willem Dafoe, David Strathairn, Paul Giamatti, Lois Smith, Oscar Isaac, Damian Lewis, Bill Murray and others—for audiences with something at stake in order to catalyze crucial dialogue about pressing issues. Its projects often take place in homeless shelters and jails, military bases and hospitals, housing projects, churches, public parks, and rival gang territories, but also in cultural spaces such as BAM, Lincoln Center, DeBalie, the Greek National Opera, and the Red Steps in Times Square. Each of its events is designed to be an authentic, community-driven exchange that culminates in a guided audience discussion. For more info, please visit theaterofwar.com.
About WNYC
With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, WNYC is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming, and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC offers its listeners a unique range of local, national, and international programming, including programming from NPR, American Public Media, and the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced local programs that champion the stories and spirit of New York City and the surrounding region, including The Brian Lehrer Show and All Of It. From its state-of-the-art studios, WNYC is reshaping audio for a new generation of listeners, producing some of the most beloved nationally-syndicated public radio programs including Radiolab, On the Media, and The New Yorker Radio Hour. WNYC broadcasts on 93.9 FM and AM 820 to listeners in New York and the tri-state area, and is available to audiences everywhere at WNYC.org, the WNYC app, and through major digital radio services, all made possible through the generous support of our members, donors, and sponsors.
The reading will be followed by a discussion led by Kai Wright (WNYC’s Notes from America, The Guardian’s Stateside) and Bryan Doerries (Artistic Director, Theater of War), featuring calls from listeners. Audience members will also be able to participate in the discussion following the conclusion of the radio broadcast.
This special evening concludes the spring season of Theater of War On the Radio, a series that combines readings of timely news stories by all-star casts with listener call-ins. The reading, discussion, and listener calls will be broadcast live from the stage of the Harvey Theater on WNYC and wnyc.org.
About Theater of War Productions
Theater of War Productions presents charged performances of seminal texts—led by acclaimed actors such as Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, Willem Dafoe, David Strathairn, Paul Giamatti, Lois Smith, Oscar Isaac, Damian Lewis, Bill Murray and others—for audiences with something at stake in order to catalyze crucial dialogue about pressing issues. Its projects often take place in homeless shelters and jails, military bases and hospitals, housing projects, churches, public parks, and rival gang territories, but also in cultural spaces such as BAM, Lincoln Center, DeBalie, the Greek National Opera, and the Red Steps in Times Square. Each of its events is designed to be an authentic, community-driven exchange that culminates in a guided audience discussion. For more info, please visit theaterofwar.com.
About WNYC
With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, WNYC is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming, and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC offers its listeners a unique range of local, national, and international programming, including programming from NPR, American Public Media, and the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced local programs that champion the stories and spirit of New York City and the surrounding region, including The Brian Lehrer Show and All Of It. From its state-of-the-art studios, WNYC is reshaping audio for a new generation of listeners, producing some of the most beloved nationally-syndicated public radio programs including Radiolab, On the Media, and The New Yorker Radio Hour. WNYC broadcasts on 93.9 FM and AM 820 to listeners in New York and the tri-state area, and is available to audiences everywhere at WNYC.org, the WNYC app, and through major digital radio services, all made possible through the generous support of our members, donors, and sponsors.
ONSALE DATES
General Public
Thursday, May 14 at 1pm
Thursday, May 14 at 1pm
UPCOMING Performances
VENUE
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets start at $22.50
Please note: All online and phone orders are subject to a $3 facility fee and an $4.50 handling fee per ticket. All orders at the box office are subject to a $3 facility fee per ticket.
Please note: All online and phone orders are subject to a $3 facility fee and an $4.50 handling fee per ticket. All orders at the box office are subject to a $3 facility fee per ticket.
All performances will adhere to protocols developed in accordance with New York State regulations and in consultation with medical professionals for the safety of our artists, audiences, and staff.
Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:
Leadership support for BAM Access Programs provided by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation
Leadership support for
BAM programming provided by
Leadership support for
theater at BAM provided by
The SHS Foundation and
The Shubert Foundation, Inc.
Support for theater at BAM
provided by
The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation
Additional support for theater at BAM
provided by:
The Francena T. Harrison Foundation Trust;
David L. Klein, Jr. Foundation; and
Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater
