Our Audio Gallery Series at Negative Space continues on October 30 at 7:30 pm! Radio on the Lake Theatre proudly presents the most iconic radio play of all time, H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds. This production will bring to life the same script performed in 1938 by Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre on the Air - exactly 87 years later. The play will be performed at the Negative Space Art Gallery, located at 1541 East 38th Street #2nd floor Cleveland, OH 44114 in Cleveland's AsiaTown district.
The Mercury Theatre on the Air shocked the nation with its broadcast of aliens from Mars invading Earth. With its “live as it happens” narrative style, Americans were convinced that the story was real and fled from their homes in terror. "There is no greater thrill for any audio theater company than to perform this legendary script", said ROTLT Managing and Artistic Director Caroline Breder-Watts. "Orson Welles and his company were unbelievably creative in their storytelling - there was no such thing as "breaking news" in 1938. It's easy to imagine why audiences thought that an invasion was actually taking place because of the originality and artistry of their work. We only hope that we can live up to the legacy of that historic broadcast".
The performance will be followed by a discussion with local journalists on the impact of the original play and the state of journalism in 2025. It will also be recorded for broadcast on WBWC 88.3 The Sting at a later date as part of ROTLT's ongoing series Radio on the Lake Theatre Presents... Sunday evenings at 5.
Free and secure parking is available on E 38th Street between Superior Ave. and Payne Ave. A handicapped-accessible elevator is at the entrance closest to lot C.
Tickets are now on sale through Eventbrite and members of ROTLT's Stakeholders Club will receive $5 off each ticket! Tickets will also be available at the door, but we can only accept cash and Venmo. Make your reservation now to ensure your seat for this exciting event!
The Audio Gallery Series is made possible by generous grants from Ohio Arts Council
The Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation. and The Cleveland Foundation.