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October - November 2003 directed by BARRY ZURAWICZ Performances: October 30, 2003 at 8:00pm October 31, 2004 at 11am and 8pm November 1, 2003 at 2pm and 8pm |
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October - November 2003 directed by BARRY ZURAWICZ Performances: October 30, 2003 at 8:00pm October 31, 2004 at 11am and 8pm November 1, 2003 at 2pm and 8pm |
PAC Rats Theatre Company pays tribute to 65th Anniversary of War of the Worlds
SOUTH HOLLAND- On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre On The Air made history with their broadcast of Howard Koch's radio dramatization of the H. G. Wells' classic War of the Worlds. Even with several station and program identification breaks, the radio program convinced thousands that Martians were attacking Earth.
Join the PAC Rats Theatre Company of South Suburban College as they pay tribute to "The Panic Broadcast of 1938." This production will be a representation of how the radio broadcast of this classic moment in history may have looked to a studio audience. Actors will appear on stage with microphones and scripts, Foley artists will be seen on stage while they are creating an invasion from Mars. A live jazz combo will also set the mood of a live radio broadcast in action.
The radio play for War of the Worlds was written by Howard Koch (who later wrote Casablanca), Orson Welles, and Paul Steward and was inspired by the H.G. Welles story. It is a story of an invasion from Mars, and martians landing in Grovers Mill, New Jersey. This radio drama was updated to 1938 and moved to New York. The "live news" presentation was a ground breaking performance style at the time. Many people tuning in late mistook the drama for a real news broadcast. Thousands of people across the U.S. panicked; some even fled their homes or hid in their storm cellars to protect their families.
Because of the panic caused, broadcasts from that time onward must indicate that they are dramatic presentations. This event also helped propelled Orson Welles and others from the Mercury Theatre Playhouse to stardom and Hollywood film careers.
As part of SSC's celebration of what might be the most famous radio program in broadcast history, the event includes five performances of Howard Koch's original radio play and a historical display in the Kindig Performing Arts Center lobby. Featured are photographs and newspaper articles from the period, interviews of local residents who remember the original broadcast and photographs of Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
Following the performances, Patrick Schmitt of Homewood, SSC Associate Vice President, will present a short discussion on the history of the broadcast and its impact on the nation. Director Barry Zurawicz of South Holland, along with the company of the show, will also be on hand to demonstrate the various "tricks of the trade" used to produce sound effects live on stage.
The cast features local talent Michael Cierski of Calumet City, Robert Sterling of Chicago, Gary Douglas Peters of Gary, IN, Nicholas Mann of Hazel Crest, Jonathan Piette of Homewood, Dale Glines of Orland Park, Michael Karberg of Schererville, James Walters of South Chicago Heights, Tony D'Arneaux of South Holland, and Jennifer Boerman DeYoung of Thornton. Fred Miller of Chicago leads the SSC Jazz Combo.
The production team includes James Sandman of Calumet City, Laura Hancock of Country Club Hills, Elizabeth Bradley of Lansing, Angela Martin of Midlothian, Dawn Begin of Oak Forest, Joanna Tassin of Park Forest, Rochelle Walters and Rene Martinez of South Chicago Heights, William Graham and Megan Zurawicz of of South Holland.
Performances of War of the Worlds are scheduled for October 30 at 8:00pm, the 65th anniversary of the original broadcast. Additional performances are October 31 at 11:00am and 8:00pm and November 1 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm.
Tickets are $6 for adult and $4 for seniors and students. The Kindig Performing Arts Center is located on South Suburban College's main campus at 15800 South State Street in South Holland, IL. For reservations or more information, phone the box office at 708-210-5741 or email ssctheatre@earthlink.net.
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