UT celebrates ‘War of the Worlds’ anniversary

University Theatre kicks off its 2008–09 theater season with a radio drama famous for the reaction of terror and panic it caused in hundreds of thousands of households across America.

The director, cast and designers for University Theatre’s stage adaptation of “The War of the Worlds” hope to re-create this historic event with a chilling and exciting evening of theatre when the production comes to the Mitchell Theatre from Friday, Sept. 26, through Saturday, Oct. 11.

The radio drama was originally adapted from H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel by Howard Koch. Actor and director Orson Welles wanted to use Wells’ story for the Halloween segment of his regular radio series, the “Mercury Theatre on the Air,” broadcast nationwide on CBS Radio. Koch chose to relocate the original story from England to the east coast of the United States, and randomly pointed at a road map he had handy, his pencil landing on Grovers Mill, N.J.

When the broadcast first aired on Oct. 30, 1938, an estimated 1.7 million listeners were terrified to hear the radio play describe what they believed to be a real Martian invasion on the little town in New Jersey. The following day, Welles apologized at a press conference and said he was “surprised” by the reaction. “Radio is new and we are learning about the effect that it has on people,” Welles said.

For University Theatre’s stage adaptation, director Tony Simotes will help the audience re-live the era of the original broadcast by incorporating news that was pertinent to the Madison area in the late 1930s. Continuing the partnership begun last fall with radio host Norman Gilliland and Wisconsin Public Radio, actors will bring to life moments of historical significance for the radio station, the university, Madison and surrounding Dane County. In addition to serving the production as a consultant in the field of radio drama, Simotes has convinced Gilliland to take on a larger role, as one of the acting ensemble for the show.

“I can’t believe our good fortune in having Norman with us throughout the run. His knowledge of the genre and the experience that he will be able to share with the students will make for a terrific training experience. And the audience will have a blast,” says Simotes.

UW–Madison faculty members Gail Brassard and Ann Archbold will provide the scenic and costume design, respectively, for the show. Second-year MFA costume design student Rachel Pabst will design costumes, and guest artist Jack Sayre will round out the design team with his sound design, which will include some live sound provided by a foley artist on stage.

Like last season, Wisconsin Public Radio will broadcast one performance of “The War of the Worlds” live, during Gilliland’s regularly scheduled “Old Time Radio Drama.” This year’s live broadcast will take place at a special curtain time of 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4. Additional special events include a post performance discussion with the actors and director, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3.

Tickets for “The War of the Worlds” are available now at both Campus Arts Ticketing offices: in the Union Theater and on the east side of Vilas Hall. Tickets are $20 for the general public; $18 for senior citizens; $16 for Friends of University Theatre and $14 for children and UW–Madison students. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 262-1500 or online.