FHS students to perform ‘War of the Worlds’ this weekend

The Broadway Players of Fairfield High School will present 'War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast” on Halloween weekend. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Admission is charged at the door or free with the FCSD activities card.

Theatre-goers have two ways to enjoy the show. They may attend in person, with a mask and social distancing in the FHS auditorium or view the show live stream through Broadway on Demand. Virtual viewers should go to their website in advance: https://www.broadwayondemand.com/. Follow the instructions to set up an account, pay to view, and select the FHS performance.

War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast reproduces the infamous radio show presented by CBS Mercury Theatre on the Air on Oct. 30, 1938. The story includes the script from the original radio play where a high-tech army of Martian invaders conquer Earth as well as the events before and after the show. Reportedly, thousands of listeners believed that Martians actually sent rockets to Earth and unleashed weapons of mass destruction such as chemical warfare and 100-foot-tall, three-legged walking machines capable of crushing buildings and setting fire to cities, farms, and the countryside.

'Our show is a multimedia experience rather than the radio play only,” commented director Betsie Wotherspoon. 'We have more than 85 music and sound effects cues as well as overhead projections and lighting effects.” Fifteen cast members portray more than 40 characters within the drama: Giteeka Adhikari, David Creer, Edith Diers, Erin Epperson, Sophia Fritz, Spencer Hilger, Allison Hunger, Samara McLain, Ethan McReynolds, Evie Messer, Sara Poletti, Felicia Strong, Carson Taylor, Marcus Trent, and Wyatt Whitham. Student crew members include Abigail Ford, Blair Grunwald, and Gannon Scott assisted by adult volunteers John Grunwald, Jim Edgeton, Katie McLain, and Noel Wotherspoon. Filming the production for the live stream are Rick Danielson, Cole Boatright, Connor Hawkins, and Marsha Vazquez.

The stage resembles a radio studio of the 1930s. Costume and hair designer Noel Wotherspoon dressed most of the players in vintage clothing complete with hats, shoes, coats, and furs. Some girls will wear wigs in 1930s hair styles. Boys are dressed in cuffed pin stripes and double-breasted suits.

The FHS show was adapted by Joe Landry, based on the radio play by Howard Koch. Koch later wrote the screenplays for Casablanca, Sergeant York, and The Best Years of Our Lives. The novel, War of the Worlds, was written by H. G. Wells and published in 1898.