Orson Welles' classic radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds" comes to Carrollwood

The Carrollwood Cultural Center will present a live theatre production of the original radio broadcast of War of the Worlds on Friday, October 27 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 29 at 2 p.m.

Directed by James Rayfield, the staged reading will recreate the 1938 Mercury Theatre’s radio broadcast of Howard Knoch’s adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds with Orson Welles. Millions who listened to the original broadcast 79 years ago were shocked when news alerts announced the arrival of Martians. Panicked, many ran out of their homes screaming while others packed up their cars to flee the seemingly devastating invasion.

The cast of the staged reading will include: Keith Eisenstadt as Welles, Sam Burke Stephen Fox, Chris Grant, Josh Knauer, Edward Lehmann, Tom McGuigan, Matt Melenas, Bob Stemm and Zach Waylon.

The production will also incorporate puppetry to help create the illusion of a Martian attack. Puppeteers Dan Ray Polson and Mary McGuigan will lend their skills to those roles.

War of the Worlds will be at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, located at 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa. Tickets are $12-$18 and can be purchased online at CarrollwoodCenter.org, by calling (813) 922-8167, or in person. War of the Worlds is being produced through a special arrangement with Playscripts Inc.