Panic-inducing radio onstage at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts October 25 | Press Releases

"Radio Listeners in Panic, Taking War Drama as Fact: Many Flee Homes to Escape 'Gas Raid From Mars'" - The New York Times
"Radio Thriller Panics Nation" - The Bismarck Tribune

Seventy years ago on Halloween Eve, a twenty-three-year-old director and actor, through a deftly-created radio broadcast, "led thousands to believe that an interplanetary conflict had started with invading Martians spreading wide death and destruction in New Jersey and New York," according to a story that ran Oct. 31 in The New York Times . The 8 p.m. broadcast created a wave of mass hysteria disrupting households, creating traffic jams, clogging communications systems and worse. On Saturday, Oct. 25, again at 8 p.m., the L.A. Theatre Works (LATW) recreates Orson Welles' original production of H. G. Wells' "War of the Worlds," adapted by Howard Koch, at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts. Inconceivably, LATW adds to the suspense-filled evening with a second gripping masterpiece, Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World," adapted by John de Lancie and Nat Segaloff.

Starring in these two white-knuckle dramas are actors familiar to viewers of the Sci-Fi Channel, "Star Trek" and the "X-Files" as well as Broadway, regional theatre and film. Josh Clark appeared as Lt. Carey on "Star Trek Voyager" as well as on "Heroes", "Everybody Loves Chris" and "24;" Jerry Hardin appeared on television in "X-Files," "Star Trek," "Filthy Rich" and in such films as Costa-Gavras' "Missing" and "The Firm" with Sydney Pollack; Peter McDonald's television credits include, "ER," "Becker," "Wings" and "Beverly Hills 90210"; Jen Dede has been seen in "ER," "Gilmore Girls" and in the film "Payback"; Kyle Colerider-Krugh will be recognized from "Seinfeld," "Without A Trace," "ER" and from films such as "Primal Fear" and "Secretary" and Kenneth Alan Williams was Dr. Gabriel on "ER," had a recurring role on "Passions," and was a guest on "Will & Grace," "Chicago Hope" and "Jamie Foxx Show."

Under the leadership of Producing Director, Susan Albert Loewenberg, L.A. Theatre Works has been the foremost radio theater company in the United States for two decades. Their work is heard on NPR, XM Satellite Radio, internationally on the BBC, CBC, Voice of America and many other English language networks.

The LATW production runs at a breathtaking pace and duplicates the same convincing details present in Welles' infamous radio broadcast, making it clear why science fiction master Wells' "War of the Worlds" is truly the mother of all space invasions. This fascinating piece still resonates today as concerns swirl around our environment, protecting our borders and the occasional UFO sighting.

Doyle's campy adventure, "The Lost World," follows a scientific expedition deep into the Amazon jungle - and back in time. Cut off from the outside world on a primeval plateau, the fearless explorers discover a place where dinosaurs have evolved beside ape-men and the fate of the human race hangs in the balance. The explorers ride the rapids and dodge whizzing arrows, making "The Lost World" an unforgettable experience.

Tickets are $30 and are available online at www.quickcenter.com or by calling the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, visit www.quickcenter.com.