The War of the Worlds (2018)
Season 06, Episode 03
October 30, 2018
Re-situated in Vancouver, Washington, for 80th anniversary
Re-Imagined Radio celebrates World Audio Drama Day and the 80th anniversary of this classic radio drama with a live performance of "The War of the Worlds" by Metropolitan Performing Arts and other community volunteers at Kiggins Theatre, Vancouver, Washington.
Access the episode script
Background
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Production
Contents
A live performance by Metropolitan Performing Arts of "The War of the Worlds," perhaps the most (in)famous radio broadcast ever. Adapted from the 1938 performance starring Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre on the Air. With changes to location and other elements to localize the story for our audience.
Read and Learn more about Orson Welles.
Cast
Barbara Richardson as Program Announcer, Radio Operator #2, and Female Survivor 3
John F. Barber as Studio Announcer
Calvin Lieurance as Weather Announcer, Artillery Gunner, and Male Survivor 1
Kristin Heller as Meridan Announcer, Lieutenant Voght, and Female Survivor 1
Greg Shilling as Carl Phillips (radio reporter) and Radio Operator #5
Rebecca Kramer as Professor Rowena Pierson (female astronomer, retired)
Nick D'ettorre as Policeman and Radio Operator #4
Ian Hanley as Mr. Grover Wilmuth (farmer)
Brett Allred as Montgomery Smith (Brigadier General, State Militia) and Radio Operator #3
Joe Clemmons as Harry McDonald (Vice President, Operations) and Radio Operator #1
Nick D'ettorre as Captain Lansing (Signal Corp)
Steve Becker as Secretary (of the Interior) and Male Survivor 3
Ian Hanley as Artillery Officer and Male Survivor 2
Arianna Dorenbosch as Artillery Observer, Roof Top Announcer, and Female Survivor 2
Significance
"The War of the Worlds" is often cited as the most (in)famous radio story ever broadcast. This Re-Imagined Radio live performance and global live stream were both offered on the 80th anniversary of the original broadcast, October 30, 1938. For this anniversary live performance we changed the location and other elements to localize the story for our listeners.
Producer's Notes
Our second performance of this classic radio drama!
Audience count: 336
Streamed globally by KXRW-FM (Vancouver, WA), and KXRY-FM
(Portland, OR).
— John F. Barber
Promotion
Press
Wade, Adeena. Re-Enactment of Historic Radio Broadcast.→ Story Hub, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, 25 Oct. 2018.
Interviews
Re-Imagined Radio at the Kiggins
Theater→
KXRW "Radio Voices from Our Community" host Mike Selig visited Kiggins Theater in downtown Vancouver to
watch the 80th Anniversary performance of The War of the Worlds, the radio drama that
panicked a nation, and produced this abbreviated version of the performance.
The Common Good Interviews
A two-part series produced by Joe Clemons, host of The Common Good, KXRW Radio, Vancouver, WA, highlighting Re-Imagined Radio. Part 1 rebroadcasted the 30 October 2018 performance of The War of the Worlds. More information at the archival webpage for this program maintained by XRAY FM radio. Learn more→.
Part 1, June 11, 2020
Part 2, July 9, 2020, features producer John F. Barber talking about the performance and some of the challenges of re-imagining classic radio dramas for contemporary audiences. More information at the archival webpage for this program maintained by XRAY FM radio. Learn more→.
