Genre: Comedy
Written by: Chris Earle
Directed by: Shari Hollett
Performed by: Chris Earle, Robert Smith
Running time: One hour

The title of Radio :30 refers to the half-minute ad that Chris Earle, as Ron, is recording. Between takes, he describes the tricks and transparency of the advertising game with radio-perfect voice inflection. (Smiling while talking, it turns out, makes you sound happier.) As he cheerily explains how he came to sleep with his best friend's wife and usurp his predecessor's position, it becomes clear that the schmooze is something he can't turn off outside the studio. And while logic dictates that you should hate him, he's such a charmless cad, you can't help but laugh at him. With a brilliant, nuanced script and performance from Earle, the play transcends mere criticism of the advertising industry by deconstructing our relationship with it. The lesson is that we all lie; some of us are just more honest about doing it..—Nick Mosquera

• Where: The Puffin Room
• When: Thu, Aug 19 at 9:45 p.m.; Fri, Aug 20 at 6 p.m.; Sat, Aug 21 at noon; Sun, Aug 22 at 10 p.m.; Mon, Aug 23 at 6:30 p.m.; Wed, Aug 25 at 3 p.m.