A handful of actors (left to right) Noble Vater-Lebron, David Vater, Gary Lee Eberly, and Brad Kenyon, do multiple voices behind the curtain during the upcoming Athens Community Theater production of “The War of the Worlds:” at Quonset Hut Theater. That play transitions into a second play, “The Invasion of Earth as it began in Grover’s Mill, New Jersey” involving 1938 reaction to “The War of the Worlds” broadcast. Both plays can be seen October 25-27.
Athens Community Theater veteran actor Larry Todak takes on the role of studio announcer for “The War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script” Oct. 25-27 at The Quonset Hut Theater, 132 N. Main Street, Athens. General admission is $10 per person.
(Photos by Kristy Smith)
By Kristy Smith
Just in time for Halloween, members of Athens Community Theater (ACT) are prepared to deliver a perennial favorite radio play, “The War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script” by Howard E. Koch, on the stage of the Athens’ Quonset Hut Theater Oct. 25-27.
Originally broadcast on October 30, 1938 by Orson Welles from New York’s Mercury Theatre, “The War of the Worlds” frightened millions of Americans who feared an actual alien invasion was taking place, when they were merely listening to an adaptation of an H.G. Wells novel. ACT’s treatment of the script brings to life that infamous bit of nostalgia from a more innocent era where hearing was believing.
The added trick, or treat, depending on whether you’re a War of the Worlds purist, is instead of the full second act from “The War of the Worlds” play, the ACT cast will transition to a second play, “The Invasion of Earth as it began in Grover’s Mill, New Jersey,” by J.R. Mimbs.
Mimbs’ introduction to the play tempts potential audiences with, “For four different groups of people awaiting the radio broadcast of H.G. Wells’ ‘War of the Worlds’ in 1938, things go horribly awry when a news report indicates that aliens may have invaded Grover’s Mill, New Jersey.” How circumstances play out adds intrigue to the ACT’s Halloween season production.
Both Quonset Hut Theater plays were produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc., www.playscripts.com. Mark Doubleday is directing both productions and handling sound booth duties, while Nick Enlow is in charge of lighting.
Although Doubleday said he loves most the 1953 version of “The War of the Worlds,” this version he chose for community theater is very close to the original, Oct. 30, 1938 Orson Welles’ version.
“And then I decided to add the other play,” he said, “which is very interesting, about how four different groups of people were affected by the original ‘The War of the Worlds’ broadcast. Like I said, the perspective offered is interesting.”
“Plus, we thought adding the second play fit our theater better and allowed us to involve more actors,” said Brad Kenyon, who does multiple voices in “The War of the Worlds” as well as appears in “The Invasion of Earth as it Began in Grover’s Mill.”
The cast of the radio play “The War of the Worlds” features Larry Todak as the visible studio announcer, with multiple backstage voices from Gary Lee Eberly, Nevaeh Enlow, Brad Kenyon, Noble Vater-Lebron, and William Vater-Lebron.
“The Invasion of Earth as it Began in Grover’s Mill,” is staged in four side-by-side settings where the audience sees all the players, not just hears their voices. It’s brought to life by the following cast: Brad Kenyon (Hoyt), Annette Kukla (Janice), Linda Kenyon (Sandra), David Vater (John), Samantha Fick (Joyce), Katrina Nichols (Maria), William Vater-Lebron (Morris), Roseann Kenyon (Sue), Noble Vater-Lebron (Joe), Kati Woodward (Kerry), Tabitha Deeren (Betty), Braydon Haan (Buddy), Sarah Fick (Phylis), and Nevaeh Enlow (Michele).
The dates and times for this family-friendly show are Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. at the Quonset Hut Theater, 132 N. Capital Avenue in Athens. General admission is $10 at the door. Concessions are by The Popcorn Lady, Sarah Jordan-Grubb, of J’s Food Cart.
For additional information call 269-729-5278.
Just in time for Halloween, members of Athens Community Theater (ACT) are prepared to deliver a perennial favorite radio play, “The War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script” by Howard E. Koch, on the stage of the Athens’ Quonset Hut Theater Oct. 25-27.
Originally broadcast on October 30, 1938 by Orson Welles from New York’s Mercury Theatre, “The War of the Worlds” frightened millions of Americans who feared an actual alien invasion was taking place, when they were merely listening to an adaptation of an H.G. Wells novel. ACT’s treatment of the script brings to life that infamous bit of nostalgia from a more innocent era where hearing was believing.
The added trick, or treat, depending on whether you’re a War of the Worlds purist, is instead of the full second act from “The War of the Worlds” play, the ACT cast will transition to a second play, “The Invasion of Earth as it began in Grover’s Mill, New Jersey,” by J.R. Mimbs.
Mimbs’ introduction to the play tempts potential audiences with, “For four different groups of people awaiting the radio broadcast of H.G. Wells’ ‘War of the Worlds’ in 1938, things go horribly awry when a news report indicates that aliens may have invaded Grover’s Mill, New Jersey.” How circumstances play out adds intrigue to the ACT’s Halloween season production.
Both Quonset Hut Theater plays were produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc., www.playscripts.com. Mark Doubleday is directing both productions and handling sound booth duties, while Nick Enlow is in charge of lighting.
Although Doubleday said he loves most the 1953 version of “The War of the Worlds,” this version he chose for community theater is very close to the original, Oct. 30, 1938 Orson Welles’ version.
“And then I decided to add the other play,” he said, “which is very interesting, about how four different groups of people were affected by the original ‘The War of the Worlds’ broadcast. Like I said, the perspective offered is interesting.”
“Plus, we thought adding the second play fit our theater better and allowed us to involve more actors,” said Brad Kenyon, who does multiple voices in “The War of the Worlds” as well as appears in “The Invasion of Earth as it Began in Grover’s Mill.”
The cast of the radio play “The War of the Worlds” features Larry Todak as the visible studio announcer, with multiple backstage voices from Gary Lee Eberly, Nevaeh Enlow, Brad Kenyon, Noble Vater-Lebron, and William Vater-Lebron.
“The Invasion of Earth as it Began in Grover’s Mill,” is staged in four side-by-side settings where the audience sees all the players, not just hears their voices. It’s brought to life by the following cast: Brad Kenyon (Hoyt), Annette Kukla (Janice), Linda Kenyon (Sandra), David Vater (John), Samantha Fick (Joyce), Katrina Nichols (Maria), William Vater-Lebron (Morris), Roseann Kenyon (Sue), Noble Vater-Lebron (Joe), Kati Woodward (Kerry), Tabitha Deeren (Betty), Braydon Haan (Buddy), Sarah Fick (Phylis), and Nevaeh Enlow (Michele).
The dates and times for this family-friendly show are Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. at the Quonset Hut Theater, 132 N. Capital Avenue in Athens. General admission is $10 at the door. Concessions are by The Popcorn Lady, Sarah Jordan-Grubb, of J’s Food Cart.
For additional information call 269-729-5278.
