"I'm speaking from the roof of the Broadcasting Building, New York City. The bells you hear are ringing to warn the people to evacuate the city as the Martians approach. Estimated in last two hours three million people have moved out along the roads to the north, Hutchison River Parkway still kept open for motor traffic. Avoid bridges to Long Island... hopelessly jammed. All communication with Jersey shore closed ten minutes ago. No more defenses. Our army wiped out... artillery, air force, everything wiped out. This may be the last broadcast. We'll stay here to the end..."
Sound familiar? It's dialogue from the original dramatization of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds by Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre. The production will come to life again on January 17, when Sci-Fest LA presents a special, one-night-only benefit performance adapted by Howard Koch, directed by Jim Fall and featuring a galaxy of Star Trek figures. Scheduled to appear are Rene Auberjonois, Michael Dorn, Walter Koenig, Linda Park, Tim Russ, Armin Shimerman and, as Orson Welles, Wil Wheaton.
"I have listened to the original War of the Worlds broadcast since I got my very first cassette player in the 1970s," Wheaton told StarTrek.com "It's an honor to be asked to perform in it, and a privilege to play the role that Orson Welles created."
The event will be held at the Acme Theatre in Hollywood, California, at 8 p.m. on January 17. Click HERE for additional information about the show and HERE for details about a post-performance reception with actors from the show.
