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War of the Worlds!
Contributed by: Dixie Elder on 10/1/2006

Starting Friday, October 13, and continuing for only 6 brief performances, some members of The Longmont Theatre Company will be staging a unique presentation of two of the most popular radio thrillers of all time: "War of The Worlds" and "Sorry, Wrong Number!"
What started out to be just a staged reading on a bare stage has blossomed into a full-blown production, wherein an entire 1938 CBS Radio studio has been built on stage & with live microphones, Foley, sound-effects and everything else just as it was back then, both plays will be broadcast to the theatre audience. It is an audacious and daringly experimental way of doing theatre -- Will the audience be able to suspend disbelief and allow themselves to be transported not only by the sounds alone, but by the ability to observe falling bodies and Martian heat-rays created before their very ears?
The enthusiastic cast is helmed by John Thornberry, an experienced Shakespearian and fan of old-time radio drama. In the cast are members who have worked with real-life radio luminaries like The Firesign Theatre, Taste of Shakespeare, and others certainly familiar to the local theatre-going public. The live special sound-effects were hand-built by Dan Kushmaul, who worked on two internationally web-cast seasons of "Play With Your Radio".
Part of the sound array assembled for "War" includes a theremin. Originally invented in 1922, the theremin is the oldest form of electronic musical instrumentation known.
"The War of The Worlds" is being presented as if it were the original 1938 broadcast that panicked America. Written by Howard Koch, from the book by H.G. Wells, the presentation by Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre on the Air was taken by many radio listeners to be a report of an actual invasion. Not a few people fled their homes and clogged highways in their efforts to flee what they were convinced was a deadly attack from outer space!
"Sorry, Wrong Number!", a classic tale of suspense, will be presented as if it were the second command performance of one of the single most popular creepy radio broadcasts of all time. As originally performed by Agnes Moorehead, this show of mystery, murder and intrigue was so popular that she was asked to repeat the role a record six times over the span of several decades. The version that Longmont Theatre is presenting is taken from the performance of 1943.
So mark your calenders and come see these perfect Halloween shows! All performances are live at the Longmont Center for the Performing Arts, 513 Main St. in Longmont. Show dates are October 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7:30pm, with Sunday Matinees at 2pm on October 15 and 22. On some performances, the cast will be available afterwards to talk with the audience re. any questions they might have about radio theatre, and these performances in particular.
All tickets are $10. Please call the boxoffice at Longmont Performing Arts Center, 303-772-5200, or on the web at www.longmonttheatre.org for questions and purchases.
See you there!!


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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
Submitted By: JoAnn Barham
posted on 10/15/2006 @ 12:40:09 PM
Rated Story
I have been to the first two performances of this show, and was very much entertained by the talented cast! The period costumes were wonderful; the acting was really top-knotch! My family is thrilled to have such great entertainment right here in our own town. Congrats for a great production!
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Submitted By: Kurt Keilbach
posted on 10/5/2006 @ 12:47:35 PM
Rated Story
As one of the actors fortunate enough to be participating in this show, let me second this great article by inviting any and all people who have an interest in great theatre and/or old-time radio shows to join us. The cast is fantastic and the director and technical staff are working to create a magnificent production. Please come join us, we'd be delighted to entertain you!
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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Dixie Elder

Longmont , CO

Dixie Elder has posted 1 story and 0 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Dixie Elder's average story rating is 5.
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