Talk Theater

Blending a strong mainstream interest in live theater with the popularity of issue-based talk shows, the Smart Talk Women’s Lecture Series continues at the State Theatre in New Brunswick through May 19.

By: Susan Van Dongen

"Julie
Julie Nixon Eisenhower will appear at the State Theatre in New Brunswick as part of the Smart Talk Women’s Lecture Series.


   Just because they’re famous doesn’t mean celebrities haven’t dealt with obstacles — sometimes the same kinds of things everyday people encounter.
   "Fame hasn’t given celebrities the expertise to deal with life," says Robert Benia, the founder of the Smart Talk Women’s Lecture Series. "Through their career they’ve been afforded this larger-than-life status. Yet they deal with life 24/seven like the rest of us, and when they do an appearance in the series, a lot of what they talk about transcends celebrity.
   "What’s amazing to me," he continues, "is that someone who has made it to this level has decided to take this power and use it in a positive way, to talk about the issues."
   Mr. Benia’s highly successful series has graced the stage of the State Theatre in New Brunswick several times in the past few months, with appearances by actress Priscilla Presley and former Attorney General Janet Reno. Smart Talk continues March 4 with best-selling author and former "first daughter" Julie Nixon Eisenhower. Singer and humanitarian Judy Collins will make an appearance in April, and White House advisor Karen Hughes will conclude this season’s lecture series in May.
   Founded in Toronto, Canada, in 1992 as Unique Lives and Experiences, Smart Talk was envisioned as a combination of theater and lecture, blending a strong mainstream interest in live theater with the popularity of issue-based talk shows on radio and television.
   "We had been bringing celebrity speakers to corporate events and we saw a commercial market appear for what we call ‘talk theater,’" says Mr. Benia, speaking from Bob Benia Productions headquarters in Toronto. "When we started to bring these personalities and their issues to theater, we saw that this was turning into a legitimate commercial theatrical opportunity.
   "It really wasn’t a surprise to me. People want to talk about the news and they want to meet the people in the news. We saw that convergence and decided to try a celebrity-based subscription lecture series."
   The quality of the speakers sets Smart Women apart from many lecture series. Mr. Benia says his company stages the events in a different way, as well.
   "We utilize certain elements of theatrical staging," Mr. Benia says. "This is more than a podium onstage with a pot of ‘mums off to one side. We work with set designers and interior decorators to really create a feeling that’s an extension of the personality of the speaker.
   "Also, we’re not academic or pedantic. This is not the Harvard Business School lecture series. We’re fun, we’re emotional and we deal with issues from the heart."
   Produced in 21 cities throughout North America, Smart Talk is the first of its kind in the concept of talk theater. The series brings together women of achievement and influence to discuss their personal experiences and perceptions of topical, timely issues. Since its debut, the series has brought hundreds of exceptional women to the stage, including Isabel Allende, Coretta Scott King, Gloria Steinem, Margaret Thatcher and Barbara Walters.
   In addition, the series donates a portion of its proceeds to local charities and has spearheaded contributions in excess of $250,000 since its inception.
   Mr. Benia was born and raised in Philadelphia, and his parents still reside in the Philly suburbs. He went to Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, which brought him into contact with a variety of influential personalities from the State Department, Capitol Hill and the White House. During his tenure in Washington, he assisted in a variety of legislative initiatives for former senator Bob Dole in the area of foreign affairs and national defense, including active roles in the 1976 and 1980 presidential campaigns.
   From Washington, Mr. Benia went to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisc., where he earned an master’s of business administration in finance. He then went to work as a product-marketing engineer for Texas Instruments in several locations throughout North America and Europe.
   In addition to the acclaimed lecture series, Mr. Benia has produced and presented shows such as A Conversation with Gregory Peck, An Evening of Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett and The Vagina Monologues.
   Between his years in the corporate and entertainment worlds and his time in Washington, Mr. Benia says he’s nurtured and maintained countless contacts.
   "I’ve never let my Rolodex get atrophied," he says. "I’ve managed to maintain a lot of friendships and leverage those into opening doors to other friendships. After 13 years, I feel like there’s a bit of alchemy involved as far as putting the series together — sometimes things happen almost magically. It’s an ongoing process, and my job never stops because I’m always meeting new people."
   After more than a decade, Mr. Benia and his associates are recognizing that the first wave of folks who supported talk theater have spread the word to their friends and to younger generations. He sees a lot of mothers and daughters — even grandmothers and granddaughters — coming to the lectures. He attributes this to the quality of the speakers as well as the universality of the subject matter.
   "We ask our speakers to reveal something of a personal nature of themselves — their issues, causes, feelings and emotions," he says. "Each speaker brings a difference level of clarity to a different issue, for example Marlee Matlin on overcoming obstacles or Jill Eichenberry talking about breast cancer. It could be a very delicate situation, yet they trust us and we appreciate the trust they’ve given us.
   "During the question time, there’s no grandstanding — the questions are always pertinent. Our speakers feel comfortable knowing what they reveal is a condition of life that everyone in the audience has struggled with at some time. It’s very cathartic for both sides."
Smart Talk Women’s Lecture Series continues with Julie Nixon Eisenhower at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, March 4, 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $39-$59. For information, call (732) 246-7469. Future appearances include Judy Collins, April 14, and Karen Hughes, May 19. On the Web: www.statetheatrenj.org. Bob Benia and Smart Talk on the Web: www.talk.biz