Posted 10:51 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12, 2020
UWL plans streamed performance of 'War of the Worlds Invasion'
Orson Welles’ notorious 1938 radio drama that was mistaken for a real news broadcast and caused panic across the country will be recreated during a UW-La Crosse science fiction radio play. The university's Theatre Arts Department will perform "War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast" based on the H.G. Wells novel and adapted by Joe Landry, that will be available for streamlined performances in late October.
"War of the Worlds" conjures a terrifying, tentacled race of aliens who devastate the earth and throws humanity into chaos. The production recreates the colorful events surrounding the infamous evening, complete with vintage commercials and live sound effects. The radio-play-within-a-radio-play is a thrilling homage to the form’s golden age and timely reminder of what fear can do to society.
Radio plays are a unique performance opportunity in which actors often play several characters while standing behind a podium or microphone using their voice, facial expressions and minimal costume pieces to differentiate the characters. There is also a team of people called foley artists who create live sound effects using items such as bubble wrap, cellophane and breakfast cereal to create the sounds of a roaring fire, footsteps in the snow and more.
Tickets go on sale Monday, Oct. 12, at www.uwlax.edu/theatre-arts through the online ticketing company, ShowShare. This is a streamed performance only. No live audience will be allowed due to COVID-19. The streamed production will be available for viewing after 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Access to view the production is available Oct. 23-27 and Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Ticket holders don't purchase a specific day; rather, the ticket will be good for any of these performance dates. Once "play" is clicked to begin watching the production, there is only access for 24 hours. After 24 hours tickets expire.
Tickets are $6 for UWL students, $16 for senior citizens and other students and $18 for adults.
WHO: UW-La Crosse Department of Theatre Arts
WHAT: War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast (A Live Radio Play) adapted by Joe Landry
WHERE: Streamed performance only through Broadway on Demand
WHEN: Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 29-Nov. 1
CAST: Erik Berg, Alexis Cimoch, Lauren Hanson, Nick Holland-Hayes, Ronny Mickl
FOLEY ARTISTS: Mason, Laney, Emily Ludewig
PRODUCTION TEAM: Greg Parmeter (Director), Corinne Kessler (Asst. Director), Sydney Smith (Stage Manager), Joe Anderson (Costume Designer), Megan Morey (Technical Director), Ben Golden (Sound Engineer/Lighting Designer), and Mandy Kolbe (Lighting Designer/Scenic Designer)