WEST WINDSOR: >‘War of the Worlds’ reenacted

By Charley Falkenburg, Special to the Packet
   WEST WINDSOR – This just in: Martians landed in Grover’s Mill on Oct. 26 and invaded the Grover Mill Coffee House.
   Strange creatures of all ages, shapes and sizes packed the café. Some sported multiple arms, a few featured bright face paint and sparkly antennae sprouted from their heads. They gathered not only for a few cups of joe, but to celebrate the day Orson Welles created mass hysteria via his 1938 “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast.
   This year marked the Grover Mill Coffee House’s fouth annual broadcast reenactment. The event was created to pay homage to the adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel “The War of the Worlds,” which caused panic to those who tuned a little too late.
   In the Halloween spirit, folks dressed in Martian-esque attire left no seat empty. To owners Mickey DiFranco and her husband, Franc Gambatese, it only made sense to keep the broadcast alive since the Grover’s Mill farm was where these fictional aliens landed on Mischief Night 74 years ago.
   ”It’s important to do this because it’s a part of our community’s history and because Orson Welles changed broadcasting,” said Ms. DiFranco, as her alien antenna bobbed around. “It was the first shock job without even trying.”
   Former broadcaster Michael Jarmus, who has done voice work for more than 40 years, stood before the crowd and performed Mr. Welles’ original 1930s program. With vintage radios on the counter for “inspiration,” Mr. Jarmus played all the characters. He brought the script to life by voicing different tones and dialects from narrator Orson Welles and Princeton professor Richard Pierson to the secretary of interior and reporter Carl Phillips – who later comes into fatal contact with a Martian heat ray.
   Amid walls lined with “War of the Worlds” decor, Mr. Jarmus’ appeared to take everyone back to the 1930s, when radio – not the Internet – was the public’s main form of entertainment. The performance also included music and sound effects to give the reenactment authenticity of the incoming news bulletins. The interruptions back then had made the prank realistic enough to strike fear into listeners.
   However, these folks knew better. Many laughed and smiled as the fictional destruction of Grover’s Mill and the surrounding areas were interrupted by bandstand music.
   West Windsor resident Katie Finneran laughed from a bench near the door. It was her first time at the annual event and she said she was having a lot of fun. For Ms. Finneran, it was important to remember the infamous broadcast and its impact.
   ”This radio show was the first time we understood the power of radio and media essentially,” she added. “If I tuned in late back then I would have probably thought it was real too.”
   In between the reenactment, people enjoyed live blues from a local band, Mikey Jr., sipped on coffee and munched on pastries.
   Ray Vercruysse, 24, of Lawrenceville, sat a few seats away from Ms. Finneran. Bright green knitting needles poked out from his hair.
   ”I’m some kind of alien,” he explained. “I was talked into coming, but I really enjoyed it.”
   Kathleen Candelaria, of Lawrence, was dubbed “Martian of the Night” and awarded a $25 gift card. Ms. Candelaria’s costume featured four additional arms dangling from a dark green shirt. But, for Ms. Candelaria, this was no get-up.
   ”I’m a Martian disguised as a human – I make a good human, what can I say,” said Ms. Candelaria.
   Mr. Gambatese, a self-proclaimed “sci-fi fanatic,” emphasized that this tradition is here to stay.
   ”It was an important event, it is the equivalent to Ground Hog’s Day,” said Mr. Gambatese, whose passion for sci-fi began as a teenager. “It just fascinated me that so many people could fall for something like that.”
   His wife said when they moved to the town 16 years ago, it was a dream come true for the “War of the Worlds” buff. It was only natural for them to set up shop in the place where the Martians parked their spaceship in Welles’ Halloween episode.
   When they received an email from actress Anne Robinson, who starred in the original “War of the Worlds” film, asking for directions to Grover’s Mill – they were inspired to re-create the legendary broadcast and make it a community event.
   Grover Mill Coffee House is going all out next year for the 75th anniversary. Mr. Gambatese remained tight lipped on the secret plans, but did confirm that Ms. Robinson might attend.
   With some hesitation, he added the event “would not be exclusive to one day” and would debut new additions to their product line.
   Ms. DiFranco was also excited for next year.
   ”This is part of not only the history of media, but the history of our town,” said Ms. DiFranco.
   As the shop’s “War of the Worlds” memorabilia collection continues to grow, Ms. DiFranco explained they would be moving to a larger space so they could properly display all of the items.
   ”We want to make this West Windsor and Plainsboro’s own museum of “War of the Worlds,” she added.