Live sound effects, wild Martian costumes and an energetic cast of veteran and first-time actors make for an “out-of-this world” audience experience.
The Key Players production of “War of the Worlds/ They Came from Earth” opens Thursday, Oct. 9 for a two-week run and offers a new take on an extraterrestrial classic.
“The first part is based on the 1938 radio show, so it’s more serious,” said Key Players newcomer Stephanie Snyder. “The second part is a parody and comedic and fun and extremely humorous.”
It is basically two shows in one; a double feature.
Act one is the “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast adaptation, which is set in 1938 in the Mercury Theatre; the original, an adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel, was narrated by Orson Welles on Halloween Eve. Delivered as a serious and spine-chilling news bulletin, it sent panic through the streets with reports of Martians invading earth.
“My part is small but dramatic,” joked Amy Collier. “ I’m just terrified because the world’s about to end.”
Act two was written by former Keys resident and Key Players actor and director Jeremy Wilken. “They Came From Earth” is a parody of “War of the Worlds.”
“I love the new script, ‘They Came From Earth,’” said show producer and director Jonelle Kop. “It’s so humorous and so much fun.”
A total of eight cast members play a number of different roles. There are also three performers creating the live sound effects, led by Susan Bazin.
“It’s a whiz-bang pop rattle roll kind of show,” said Bazin, the band director at Key Largo School. “We’re having so much fun on stage.”
Amy Collier and her 18-year-old daughter, Claire, are both new to the Key Players. Claire oversees costumes and makeup. She is currently studying at the College of the Florida Keys and hopes to have a career in the arts. When asked what she enjoyed about the experience, she said, “being around all the artsy people in theater.”
Also new to the Key Players, but not new to acting, is Noah Levine. Levine and his family moved to the Upper Keys from Broward County a year ago. He was very involved in theater on the mainland and enjoys the challenges of this new two-in-one production.
“I have a two-page monologue at the end of each one that is always a beast,” said Levine. “It’s fun to sink your teeth into something like that.”
This will be retiree John Pettit’s second Key Players show. He has multiple quirky roles and is enjoying every second on stage.
“I’m like off the wall,” said Pettit of the characters he plays.
The “War of the Worlds/They Came from Earth” double feature opens on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Murray Nelson Cultural Center in Key Largo at MM 102. There will be a total of seven performances.
More information is at thekeyplayers.org.
