‘War Of The Worlds’ In Montclair: New Play Debuts This Week

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A Montclair-based acting troupe is adapting one of the nation’s most iconic hoaxes – the “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast of 1938 – into a theatrical production.

Montclair’s historic community theater Studio Playhouse will be launching “War Of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast” on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. The live stage production will also include shows on the following dates:

• Friday, March 1 – 7 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, March 2 – 7 to 9 p.m.
• Sunday, March 3 – 3 to 5 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.studioplayhouse.org (up to one hour prior to showtime) or by calling the box office directly at (973) 744-9752. Studio Playhouse is located at 14 Alvin Place in Montclair.

Based on H.G. Wells’ novel, “The War of the Worlds,” the now-infamous satirical broadcast from Orson Welles threw the nation into chaos when many people believed that extraterrestrials landed in the New Jersey/New York City area – despite several disclaimers given at various breaks in the broadcast.

The Studio Playhouse production will include vintage commercials and live sound effects, and remains a “cautionary tale for today’s era of social media disinformation,” organizers said.

Directed by Montclair resident Alec Wolf, the production features Aedan Masker, Alexis Saarela, Brian Baskin, Kelly Dillon, Linda Nenonene, and Sherrie Bass, along with Montclair residents Atilla Toy, Barry Roy, and town council candidate Ilmar Vanderer.

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