Review: “War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast,” Gets Standing Ovation

The buzz up and down Jobs Lane in front of the Southampton Art Center this past weekend (October 21 and 22, 2023) was all about the successful production of “War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast.” This Center Stage at Southampton Arts Center presentation, Directed by Michael Disher, Written by Joe Landry with the Musical Score by Jack Seabury, was a great success at a new and beautiful venue.

The sold-out show I attended on Sunday afternoon had the audience applauding throughout the ninety-minute radio play. They totally enjoyed this triumphant presentation.

Although Disher may have been hindered by copyright restrictions, with editing forbidden, the end product (the show) was masterful. Daniel Becker, who portrayed Orson Welles, said he believed, “The most important concept was not to automatically believe what you hear on radio or television or the web.” Then he turned his focus to Director Disher, saying, “Michael is the most literate experienced, trained director out here. He gives and has given a start to numerous countless performers. He is and has always been an educator.”

Regarding the importance of a show like “War of the Worlds,” now in today’s world, Daniel Becker said, “The show is timely because, like back then when the Martians attacked on the broadcast, we are now flooded with false information before it is fact-checked, and that unchecked information is dangerous and divisive.”

The show takes place at a studio at WBFR, a metropolitan radio station, on Sunday, October 31, 1948, with some action suggesting Studio One at CBS in Manhattan and other locations on Sunday, October 30th, 1938, along with other newsworthy dates and periods.

The Stage Management was brilliant and by Joey Giovingo. Both the Lighting Design and the Sound Design were by Ken Blessing. The play was performed by an ensemble of WBFR Playhouse of the Air Actors who created all of the characters and most of the sound effects. The WBFR Center Stage Ensemble of Players for “War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast” consisted of Richard Adler, Daniel Becker, Richard Browning, Susan Cincotta, Joey Giovingo, Vincenzo James Harty, Jenifer Maxson, Matthew O’Connor, Franco Pistritto, Jack Seabury, Michael Lyn Schepps, along with Ken Blessings.

A cast must come together to create a certain energy that propels the show to a memorable level. This cast was outstanding. It is important to single out the players and their roles.

The important roles of Orson Welles and Professor Richard Pierson were both played by the east-end iconic actor Daniel Becker. Becker’s gravitas elevates every production he is in. Kudos go out to WBFR Stage Manager, played by the multi-talented Richard Adler. Also effective was Matthew O’Connor as the Mercury Theater on the Air Stage Manager. Franco Pistritto played both John Houseman and The Stranger with great merit. Carl Phillips was effective as Jack Seabury, while the audience truly loved the Studio Announcers who were played by Susan Cincotta, Jenifer Maxson, Vincenzo James Harty, with the Foley Artist Joey Giovingo and Ken Blessings.

“War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast” was produced through special arrangements with Playscripts.com.