TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Anyone interested in taking a step back in time will have a chance to do so on Friday, October 10th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Terre Haute Convention Center, as “War of the Worlds Live Radio Drama” will be put on by the Crosley Radio Players.
This is a recreation of the 1938 radio broadcast done by Orson Welles that shocked Americans when they heard it on the radio, as it depicted a Martian invasion of America that was so realistic to the listeners at home that they truly thought the world was being invaded at that time. The radio show that Orson Welles did was based on the book “War of the Worlds” written by H.G. Wells.
Tom McClanahan will be portraying Professor Pierson in the Crosley Radio Players’ recreation on Friday night, and he mentioned how this will bring a show that was only heard at the time to life for people to watch, listen, and enjoy all at the same time.
“The vast majority of people could only hear what was going on in terms of the program,” McClanahan said. “This way, you can see how it was put on and kind of follow along with the story because it is pretty interesting how people around the country thought that the Martians were really here.”
McClanahan also mentioned how a real, authentic show played on the radio back in that time could also have the power to cause people to react, thinking something is real when it might not actually be real.
“Radio was the primary communication tool in the country,” McClanahan said. “People out in the Midwest and all over the country tuned into this radio show and they actually thought that the Martians were invading America because they made it sound so authentic, and they set it in New Jersey. So, people thought, man, these monsters are in the country, and they’re going to kill us all.”
The West Vigo High School Band will also be at the event to play period-accurate music, including the music that was played when the radio broadcast interrupted music being played to start Orson Welles’ version of “War of the Worlds” back in 1938. Tickets are $10 and can be bought at the door the night of the event. If you want to order tickets ahead of time and learn more about the Crosley Radio Players and any upcoming shows they will have, visit their website by clicking here.
