Irondale Examines the Media Through Murrow

The Irondale is taking one of journalism’s biggest legends and using him to examine the fragmented modern media world.

“Murrow’s Boys” reproduces Edward R. Murrow’s groundbreaking reports from London during World War II, when his newsteam’s dispatches during the German bombardment defined modern broadcast journalism.

“It’s an impressionistic story of the men Murrow put together during World War II to bring the news home to America,” said Terry Greiss, the executive director at the Irondale. “Without being pedantic, we try to make correlations to how we get the news today.”

Greiss said the play is not a period piece, but follows a loose chronological order while trying to raise provocative questions about Americans’ love-hate relationship with the media.

“There is such an explosion of sources… There is no single voice of integrity [now] like Murrow,” he added.

The play often uses the words of the reporters themselves, who are portrayed “heroically,” according to Greiss.

The play will also feature interludes in which actors recite information gleaned from locals about their thoughts on the news landscape today.

Still, “Murrow’s Boys” does not explicitly focus on journalism during World War II. Female actors will be portraying male characters, and the sets and costumes will not always strive for historical authenticity.

Instead, the story is an adventure that, in a way, continues today.

Murrow's Boys at the Irondale at 85 S. Oxford Street between Fulton Street and Lafayette Avenue. Previews begin April 26. The official opening is on May 6. Tickets $35.