War of the Worlds

Abingdon Theatre Company presents a benefit reading of War of the Worlds.

Orson Welles’ electrifying radio presentation of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds threw America into nationwide hysteria when broadcast on the eve of Halloween, 1938. Many listeners tuned in late, mistakenly took the show for a real news broadcast, and believed that Martians were invading New York City. The controversy and widespread media outrage regarding the science-fiction play’s realism and subsequent panic catapulted Orson Welles’ career as a director, actor, and writer. Today, as the most contentious election of our generation draws nearer, we are witnessing actions and ideas alien to our way of life invade our country. War of the Worlds resonates as a timely allegory of our Nation’s deep-rooted prejudices and fear of the other.

The company includes Mario Cantone (Sex and the City, A Room of My Own), David Greenspan (five-time Obie recipient, She Stoops to Comedy), Martin Moran (Titanic, The Tricky Part), Stark Sands (Kinky Boots, Minority Report), Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Buyer & Cellar), and other artists to be announced.