WESA-FM in Pittsburgh is marking the 75th anniversary of the infamous War of the Worlds radio broadcast with a live performance of the H.G. Wells story — this time, set in its own city.
The pubcaster is partnering with local theater troupe Bricolage for the event, at 9 p.m. Oct. 30.
On that date in 1938, an episode of the CBS Radio series The Mercury Theatre on the Air, directed and narrated by Orson Welles, created panic among listeners who believed the U.S. was under really attack by Martian invaders.
The Bricolage performance will feature WESA’s Paul Guggenheimer, host of the newsmag Essential Pittsburgh. For listeners who would like to be part of the live studio audience, there’s also a pre-show ramen tasting and post-show “End of the World” party; tickets for the Bricolage fundraiser cost $75.
“Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in 1930’s garb or their favorite apocalypse outfit,” WESA said in a release.
American Experience is also marking the anniversary the night before, with a look at the reasons why so many Americans fell for the hoax.