In order to know where we are going, we have to know where we have been. We have learned much from the electrifying October 30, 1938 radio broadcast of “War of the Worlds”. Orson Welles, the Master of “Trick or Treat,” panicked the nation with a radio play adaptation of H. G. Wells’ famous book. As a nation, we found ourselves ill prepared for such an emergency, in spite of the fact it occurred only on the radio waves and in our imaginations. We were forced to take a closer look at our system of reacting to catastrophic events. Halloween could hardly have been better presaged than by this. It was known as the spoof that spooked the nation. Coming upon the heels of the rumors of war that aired from Europe day after day during the Czechoslovakian crisis, this radio drama’s tale of an invasion from Mars struck a chord in the consciousness of America that the mood the country resonated with, and it continues to reverberate to this day. With the recent hurricanes in the gulf coast and potential attacks from abroad, we find ourselves learning all over again.

By Howard E. Koch
Based on the novel by H.G. Wells

Cast List

Floor Director – Patti Kasper
CBS Announcer, Announcer Three, Operator Five – Cathy Klewer
Captain Lansing, Music, Sound FX – Reed K. Steele
Professor Pierson (Orson Welles) – Jeff Smith
Announcer One, Operator One – Tammy Halay
Announcer Two, The Stranger – Eric Collier
Carl Phillips, Commander, Sound FX – Don Dauer
Brig. General Smith, Policeman, Officer – Glenn Hamilton
Wilmuth, Harry Macdonald, Gunner, Sound FX – Kevin Harrington
Secretary of the Interior – Renee Harrington
Observer – Dawn Yard
Operator Four – Daniel Sifuentes
Operator Two – Marcia Hayes
Operator Three – Miriam Patznick
Background Vocals (The Walla Walla Group) – Entire Cast

Production Team

LIghting – Reed K. Steele
Set Design – Reed K. Steele
Sound – Tim Yard
Foley Artist – Reed K. Steele
Lighting – Kevin Harrington
Set Construction – Tammy Halay, Reed K. Steele
Costumes – Diane Hess
Make-Up – Marlene Guy
Program and Posters – Don Dauer
Retro Microphones – Don Dauer
Box Office – Roxie Mlynek
Gift Shop – Judy Foldvary
Star Party – Toledo Astronomical Association