Penfold Theatre: War of the Worlds

In turns comic and gripping, A War of the Worlds re-imagines Orson Welles and his radio troupe, The Mercury Theatre, as a group of black artists fighting to hold their place at the CBS radio studio. In the hope of securing a critical corporate sponsorship, Welles orchestrates a last ditch ratings stunt that causes national panic and secures them an undeniable – if infamous – place in media history.

In this world premiere production, Austin-born playwright Jarrett King combines careful historical research and savvy creative license to connect Welles’ Depression Era world with our own – touching on a wide range of topics, including race relations, fake news, the ethics of new media technologies, and “invasion” to name a few – while simultaneously enthralling us with the sci-fi thriller that became an instant cultural icon.