Tim Robbins' "Embedded" began in the summer of 2003 as a modest workshop production in the Actors' Gang Theatre, Los Angeles. A caustic, satirical look at the events surrounding a fictional Middle Eastern war, the play survived attacks from both the right (Fox News) and the left (The New Republic), going on to successful runs in Los Angeles, New York, and London.

Encouraged by the success of the theatrical version, Robbins set out to produce a filmed version using nine cameras, kinetic editing, and music by The Clash, System of a Down, and Bob Dylan. "Embedded LIVE!" attempts to capture both the incendiary energy of the original performance as well as the madness and chilling reality of our times.

- Adbusters Magazine, June 7, 2005

by Robert Simonson, Jan. 16, 2004

The Public Theater will present The Actors' Gang production of Tim Robbins' Embedded at its Newman Theater, beginning Feb. 24. Robbins himself will direct the piece.

Embedded fills the hole created by the elimination of the Kander and Ebb musical The Visit from the Public's 2003-04 season.

The work by Robbins, who has written several plays, is described as "a ripped-from-the-headlines satire about the madness surrounding the brave women and men on the front lines in a Mideast conflict. [It] skewers cynical embedded journalists, scheming government officials, a show-tune singing colonel, and the media's insatiable desire for heroes." The term "embedded" was used during the war in Iraq to refer to journalists who were allowed to accompany American troops as they marched toward Bagdad.

Embedded had its world premiere on Nov. 15, 2003, at The Actors' Gang in Los Angeles, where Robbins is artistic director.

Robbins, an outspoken opponent of President Bush's military policies in Afghanistan and Iraq, has received a great deal of negative press from conservative quarters for his perceived lack of patriotism. The most infamous contretemps involved the Baseball Hall of Fame, which canceled a scheduled screening of the Robbins baseball comedy "Bull Durham" because the actor had spoken out against the war in Iraq.

The cast of Embedded includes Ben Cain, Brian T. Finney, V.J. Foster, Kaili Hollister, Riki Lindhome Jay R. Martinez, Kate Mulligan, Steven M. Porter, Brian Powell, Toni Torres, Lolly Ward and Andrew Wheeler.

Robbins is known in Hollywood for both his acting ("Mystic River," "Bob Roberts," "Short Cuts") and his directing ("Dead Man Walking," "Cradle Will Rock"). The Actors' Gang was formed in 1982. Since then, Robbins has directed six plays there.