Sarnoff Corp. slates re-enactment; high school students plan performance-art interpretation
By: Molly Petrilla
WEST WINDSOR Space aliens will invade the township in the next few days when two community groups stage "War of the Worlds" anniversary commemorations.
On Saturday, the Sarnoff Corp. will host a live re-enactment of the infamous radio broadcast that sent thousands into a panic. Two days later, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North students will present a performance-art interpretation of the memorable event.
That event, of course, was Orson Welles’ re-enactment of the H.G. Wells novel, "The War of the Worlds," which described Martians landing in Grovers Mill and setting out to destroy the country. The hoax broadcast which took place on Oct. 30, 1938 caused what many have referred to as a "panic" throughout the nation as Americans claimed to smell poisonous gas or see flashes of light and, in some cases, banded together to fight the invaders.
The Oct. 28 performance will take place just one mile from the site where the Martians were described as landing. More than 20 performers from Hunterdon Radio Theatre will re-enact the broadcast using 1930s microphones and radios provided by members of the New Jersey Antique Radio Club.
"Listening to radio theater is an experience unlike anything two generations raised on television and the Internet have ever felt," Antique Radio Club President Phil Vourtsis said. "And to listen to the sounds of a Martian invasion through the radios of the time makes you appreciate how much the world has changed since the original broadcast."
All proceeds from that performance will go toward renovating the David Sarnoff Library.
Two days later, local artist Donna Clovis and students from High School North will present their own interpretation of the memorable broadcast.
"Powers From Pluto" which Ms. Clovis both wrote and directed serves as an updated version of the original broadcast. Rather than radio, the invasion is broadcast on television, incorporating video, digital cameras, the Internet, e-mail and cell phones. And instead of Martians, it is Plutonians who are putting the world at risk.
Ms. Clovis’ script is so contemporary, in fact, that it even includes an invading Plutonian’s account on the popular networking site MySpace.
The Sarnoff performance will take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with a special benefit reception following the evening performance. For more information on the performance and ticket pricing, call (215) 885-2195 or (866) 204-5798.
The High School South performance will be 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Monday in Van Nest Park between the parking lot and the pond. Admission is free.

