We are pleased to announce the cast for the LA Theatre Works double bill of War of the Worlds/The Lost World including the fine television actors Tom Virtue (Star Trek Voyager, 7th Heaven), Josh Clark (Heroes, Star Trek Voyager, E.R. and LA Law), Kyle Colerider-Krugh (Third Rock From The Sun, E.R.) and stage actors Kenneth Alan Williams, Peter McDonald, Diane Adair, and Kate Steele. Star Trek alum John de Lancie (Q) is directing this superb cast.
L.A. Theatre Works
Susan Albert Loewenberg, Producing Director
Presents
Directed by John de Lancie
Starring
Diane Adair Josh Clark Kyle Colerider-Krugh
Peter McDonald Kate Steele Tom Virtue
Kenneth Alan Williams
Join L.A. Theatre Works, America’s premiere radio theatre company, for a special back-to-back double bill of chills, thrills and great literature as they present two masterpieces of science fiction and adventure: War of the Worlds and The Lost World.
Recreating the breathless pace and convincing details of Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast, L.A. Theatre Works makes it clear why H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds is truly the mother of all space invasions. Originally performed by Welles’ Mercury Theatre of the Air, the 1938 live 60-minute broadcast of an “eyewitness report” of an invasion from Mars caused a nationwide panic. The broadcast used an updated adaptation of the original 1898 book authored by one of Welles’ writers, Howard Koch, who changed the time and location from Victorian England to a small town on the East Coast of the United States in 1938 making the story more personal for listeners. This fascinating piece still resonates today as concerns swirl around such issues as our environment and protecting our border.
Scorned by his colleagues after making the extraordinary claim that prehistoric animals exist and that he has seen them, Professor Challenger leads a harrowing four-person expedition through the remote jungles of South America to settle once and for all the validity of his claim. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's campy adventure The Lost World follows this scientific expedition deep into the Amazon jungle -- and back in time. Cut off from the outside world on a primeval plateau, the fearless explorers discover a place where dinosaurs have evolved beside ape-men and the fate of the human race hangs in the balance. From riding the rapids to dodging whizzing arrows, The Lost World will take you on a ride you won't soon forget!
Susan Loewenberg, Producing Director Notes
In the 110 years since H.G. Wells’ science fiction classic The War of the Worlds was published, the novel has proved its staying power. Wells’ tale describing an invasion of England by aliens from Mars has inspired four film adaptations – the most recent being Steven Spielberg’s $132 million dollar Hollywood blockbuster starring Tom Cruise. Orson Welles’ 1938 radio adaptation – broadcast as an episode of “Mercury Theater on the Air” for Halloween – has become infamous for the widespread panic it triggered when listeners did not realize that the stories being broadcast were a dramatic adaptation. Millions of Americans thought they had been listening to broadcast reports of a real Martian invasion after a space craft touched down in New Jersey. People fled their homes and hid in their cellars, seeking to defend themselves and earn protection from the Martians described in the broadcasts. The national scandal that ensued earned the pre-“Citizen Kane” Welles a place in history – and caused considerable trouble for CBS News, which now had to issue statements and warnings to its audience members. A similar reaction of mass panic occurred when a Spanish-language adaptation of Welles’ radio broadcast aired in Ecuador in 1949. Along the way, the novel has inspired a TV series; comic books; computer, video, and arcade games; and a musical adaptation for live theater. And now, in 2009, L.A. Theatre Works presents to you the same powerful story that stunned America when Orson Welles broadcast it: a re-creation of the original radio theater production of The War of the Worlds.
But why the persistent appeal? Why is the story so popular and perennial? It seems that The War of the Worlds holds parables that are interpreted and re-interpreted differently almost each decade. H.G. Wells’ novel can be analyzed within the historical context of its time at the end of the 19th century. The story employs science fiction to incorporate messages against war and man’s destruction of his surroundings and humanity. Wells was a strong supporter of Darwin’s theory of evolution, and saw every species as being engaged in the struggle to survive. The author recognized the destructive and reconstructive powers of nature but also of man. In the first chapter of the novel, he writes: “And before we judge them [the Martians] too harshly, we must remember what ruthless and utter destruction our own species has wrought, not only upon animals, such as the vanished Bison and the Dodo, but upon its own inferior races.” He also wrote at a time of the dominance and expansion of the British Empire; the Martians’ actions have been interpreted as an indictment of colonialism in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Wells wrote the novel at a time of a European military buildup that culminated in World War I. At the time of Orson Welles’ radio broadcast in 1938, the threat of invasion by fascist European powers loomed as word of actions in Germany, Italy, and Spain traveled to the States. But the reaction to Welles’ broadcast also indicated just how susceptible Americans were to threats to the fragile stability attained as the country pulled out of the Great Depression. Straddling the time period between the Depression and World War II, the Mercury Theater broadcast brought out fears and panic, enabling the mass reaction that occurred. The threat of invasion on American soil held sway in the 1950s, too – this time in the form of fear of a Communist invasion. That Wells wrote of man’s own destructive powers is an aspect that has been applied to the story recently; the threat can now be interpreted as coming from chemical warfare or advances in technology as well as the current resistance to fighting the threat of global warming. In post-9/11 America, the parable of the Martians’ self-destruction might correlate to our political policies and the destruction wrought by terrorists; Wells’ text is not just about the invasion from outside us but also from within. Ironically, the original idea that Martians needed to leave their uninhabitable planet in order to colonize Earth has now, with recent forays into scientific research, come full circle.
Now, you – as a listener in 2009 -- have the occasion to think about your own fears and threats, and the role that we play as Americans and as part of the global community. The adaptation you’ll see and hear at this performance is the same one adapted by Howard Koch for Orson Welles’ radio audience. That the novel – which holds iconic status – is so well known, and that few people are unaware of the tale of “The War of the Worlds” in some form doesn’t detract from the power of the story. Nor does familiarity with the story diminish the listener’s imaginative powers as he or she follows the “breaking story” of a meteor fall or Professor Richard Pierson’s wanderings away from the site of the Martian landing. As you listen and watch, we encourage you to strip yourself of what you think you know about the story; as it unfolds, you may be surprised by things you haven’t heard before, or aspects of the story you’d forgotten. Chances are that you won’t leave the theater stampeding, as Orson Welles’ listeners did. But you’ll surely leave with some food for thought, as well as thrilled by the entertainment. Let’s not forget that Orson Welles chose to broadcast the show on Halloween – the holiday of chills and thrills.
As with all of its recordings and presentations, L.A. Theatre Works offers the opportunity to experience and value the power of the spoken word – while simply being entertained. This presentation of The War of the Worlds plunges you back into the magical simplicity of the best of radio theater: the versatility of seven actors playing multiple characters (with multiple voices), the ingenuity of sound effects and their unexpected sources, and the delight of watching a “behind the scenes” re-creation of a historic moment. And how better to have that experience than through the world’s best known radio play?
The second part of our double-bill features another classic tale of out-of-this-world adventure, as we journey to The Lost World: a fantastical realm that exists not among the stars, but right here on Planet Earth. Its author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, took a break from writing his Sherlock Holmes mysteries to spin the first yarn of his latest hero -- the intrepid explorer Professor Challenger. Driven by his obsession to explore uncharted lands, Challenger leads an expedition deep into the Amazonian jungle. His quest is to prove once-and-for-all that dinosaurs and other pre-historic creatures are living atop an isolated jungle plateau. He finds more than he bargained for. Caught between warring tribes of primitive ape-men and early humans, our heroes stand poised to tip the balance of life on earth.
The Lost World was first serialized in Strand’s Magazine in 1911, then published as a single volume in 1912. It was perfect material for the movies, and it found legions of new fans when it hit the silver screen in 1925. Wallace Beery played Professor Challenger, with Lewis Stone as his fellow-adventurer Lord John Roxton. But the real stars were the animated dinosaurs by Willis O’Brien, the prototypes for his subsequent creation, King Kong. Not surprisingly, the film was merely the first of many screen incarnations.
Conan Doyle thought of his book as much more than a mere genre page-turner. Like H.G. Wells, he crafted his tale to allow him to explore some of his more intellectual pre-occupations – in this case theories of evolution and cultural imperialism. In our production, writers John de Lancie and Nat Segaloff have been mindful to retain these aspects of the book, as well as restoring plot elements that have often been set aside in previous adaptations. An interesting footnote: The Lost World was not the first time an author came up with the idea of prehistoric animals surviving to the present-day. That distinction belonged to the “father” of science-fiction, Jules Verne, in his 1864 fantasy-epic “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.
Since we began touring in 2005, L.A. Theatre Works’ radio theater presentations have criss-crossed the United States and have been presented in over 200 venues. L.A. Theatre Works – the company that has brought you politically relevant dramas such as The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial, Top Secret: The Battle for The Pentagon Papers and The Caine Mutiny Court Martial – gives you a unique opportunity: you’ll experience the tradition of radio theater, brought to you by a company that specializes in the art form. In the current era saturated with visual images, the art of sound and listening are often overlooked and forgotten.
National tours have given thousands of people the opportunity to re-connect with the power of live theater and the unique experience of radio theater. While we’re happy to see you at the theater, you don’t have to leave home in order to re-live the experience or search out more. L.A. Theatre Works offers over 400 recorded plays that are available online, in libraries and bookstores and on your airwaves. If you’ve been entertained or intrigued by what you’ve seen and heard on stage, check your local NPR listings for broadcasts of our weekly radio show, “The Play’s the Thing”. Broadcasts are also available weekly on XM Satellite’s Sonic Theater Channel. Online, you can listen anytime by going to www.latw.org and clicking on “Listen Now!” Enjoy!
L.A. Theatre Works Mission and Background
Under the leadership of Producing Director, Susan Albert Loewenberg, L.A. Theatre Works (LATW) has been the foremost radio theater company in the United States for more than two decades. Broadcast in America on NPR and XM Satellite Radio, internationally on the BBC, CBC, Voice of America and many other English language networks, LATW has single-handedly brought the finest recorded dramatic literature into the homes of millions. The company records the majority of its productions annually in Los Angeles before an enthusiastic and loyal audience of season subscribers. Works by Eugene O’Neill, David Henry Hwang, Athol Fugard, Wendy Wasserstein, Neil Simon, David Mamet, Charlayne Woodard, Arthur Miller, and others have been performed and recorded by LATW with casts of the most critically acclaimed film and stage actors. On the road, LATW has delighted audiences with its unique live radio theater style performances in over 125 small towns and major cities, including New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago. An L.A. Theatre Works performance is immediate, spontaneous, and features a first-rate cast, live sound effects, and a connection to the audience rarely felt in a traditional theater setting. This theater… is an event.
Today, LATW’s Audio Theatre Collection includes more than 400 classic and contemporary titles–the largest library of its kind in the world. Much lauded, the L.A. Theatre Works Audio Theatre Collection is available in over 8,500 libraries and has received awards from the Audio Publishers Association, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Publisher’s Weekly, Writer's Guild of America, American Library Association, Grammy Awards and many others. Additionally, over 2,000 high schools nationwide use the recordings and accompanying study guides to teach language arts, literature, history and civics through LATW’s Alive & Aloud educational outreach program. LATW’s newest initiative, The Play’s the Thing For Higher Education, will make over 300 digitized works from our collection available to universities and colleges across the country for use in a variety of disciplines. For more information on these programs, LATW’s Audio Theatre Collection, national radio broadcast information and other exciting projects, visit www.latw.org.
For L.A. Theatre Works:
Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg
Author: War of the Worlds: Howard Koch
Author: The Lost World: John de Lancie and Nat Segaloff
Director: John de Lancie
Managing Director: Vicki Pearlson
Business Manager: James Ott
Associate Producers: Jennifer Brooks and Christina Montano
Tour Manager: Diane Adair
Production Stage Manager: Jared Cox
Lighting Designer: Trevor Norton
Set Designer: Brad Kaye
Sound Design: Mark Holden
Sound Effects Consultant: Tony Palermo
Drop Graphics: Dan Almanzar
Graphic Design: Dennis Ramirez
Senior Radio Producer: Mark Ward
Director of Educational Outreach: Michael Aspinwall
Publicity & Public Relations: Lucy Pollak
If you are interested in becoming a “Producing Partner” by making a donation to L.A. Theatre Works, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, or wish to join our mailing list, please visit our website at: www.latw.org or write to
L.A. Theatre Works
681 Venice Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291
Author Biographies
WAR OF THE WORLDS:
Herbert George Wells (novel) (1866 –1946), better known as H. G. Wells, was a British writer most famous today for his science fiction novels The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, and The Island of Dr. Moreau. He wrote both fiction and non-fiction, and produced works in many genres including contemporary novels, history, and social commentary.
HOWARD KOCH (script) (1902-1995) wrote the radio plays for Orson Welles and John Houseman’s Mercury Theatre on the Air for six months, including WAR OF THE WORLDS which became known as the panic broadcast. He has written many screenplays including The Sea Hawk, The Letter and Casablanca. Koch has written several stage plays and a couple unpublished novels.
THE LOST WORLD:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (novel) (1859 –1930) was a Scottish author most noted for his stories about Sherlock Holmes, which modernized crime fiction. His other works include science fiction, historical novels, plays, poetry, and non-fiction. Additionally, Doyle worked as a political writer and ophthalmologist, and was knighted for his achievements as an author.
JOHN DE LANCIE (script) see production bios.
NAT SEGALOFF (script) is a former journalist and is now a writer-producer specializing in Hollywood-lore. His "The Everything® Etiquette Book," "The Everything Trivia Book" and "The Everything® Tall Tales, Legends and Outrageous Lies Book" are in multiple printings for Adams Media Corp.
As a TV writer-producer, Segaloff worked on A&E's flagship “Biography” series, “John Belushi: Funny You Should Ask,” “Shari Lewis & Lamb Chop,” “Larry King: Talk of Fame,” “Darryl F. Zanuck: Twentieth Century-Filmmaker” and “Stan Lee: The ComiX-MAN!” His extraterrestrial endeavors include the cheeky sequel to the Orson Welles WAR OF THE WORLDS radio hoax, WHEN WELLES COLLIDE, which featured a “Star Trek” cast. In 1996 he formed the multi-media production company Alien Voices with actors Leonard Nimoy and actor John de Lancie and produced five best-selling audio books for Simon & Schuster: “The Time Machine,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “The Lost World,” “The Invisible Man” and “The First Men in the Moon.” Additionally, his teleplay for “The First Men in the Moon” was the first-ever TV/Internet simulcast and was presented live by The Sci-Fi Channel. He has also written narrative concerts for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, celebrity events, is a script consultant, and is Senior Writer for AudiobookCafe.com. Nat is the co-author (with Daniel M. Kimmel and Arnie Reisman) of THE WALDORF CONFERENCE, a comedy-drama about the secret meeting of studio moguls that began the Hollywood Blacklist. THE WALDORF CONFERENCE had its all-star world premiere at L.A. Theatre Works and was acquired for production by Warner Bros. Television.
Production Biographies
SUSAN ALBERT LOEWENBERG (Producing Director) is founder and Producing Director of L.A. Theatre Works, a non-profit radio and theatre organization. Ms. Loewenberg has produced award-winning radio dramas, plays and films in Los Angeles, New York and London. Under her supervision, L.A. Theatre Works has amassed the largest library of recorded stage plays in America, garnering numerous awards from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Writers Guild, The American Library Association, Publishers’ Weekly and others. She is Executive Producer and host of “The Play’s The Thing!” a weekly nationally syndicated radio show broadcast on NPR stations and XM Satellite Radio. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, she has served on innumerable boards and panels, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council and was co-chair of the League of Producers and Theatres of Greater Los Angeles. From 1996-2002, Ms. Loewenberg served on the Board of Directors for Federal Prison Industries, a presidential appointment. She is also a member of the Boards of Directors of The Center for Public Integrity and The Fund for Independence in Journalism in Washington D.C.; and has served for several years as a member of the regional panel of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Ms. Loewenberg is the author of a number of articles that have appeared in American Theatre Magazine, The Los Angeles Times and various professional journals. She is married to Ezra Suleiman, Professor of Political Science at Princeton University, and has two children, Sam and Anna Sophie, both journalists.
JOHN DE LANCIE (Director) Mr. de Lancie has an eclectic career: His film credits include, The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, The Fisher King, Bad Influence, The Onion Field, Taking Care of Business, Fearless, Multiplicity, Women on Top, Nicholas, Good Advise, Patient 14, The Big Time, Teenius and Reign Over Me. Mr. de Lancie has appeared in numerous television shows including; “Without a Trace”, “Hill Street Blues”, "West Wing", "Sports Night", “Judging Amy”, "The Closer", “Star Trek”, “Legend”, “LA Law”, “Picket Fences”, “Civil Wars”, “The Practice”, and “Touched by an Angel”. He has been a member of The American Shakespeare Festival, The Seattle Repertory Company, The South Coast Repertory, The Mark Taper Forum, and the Old Globe where he recently performed Arthur Miller’s RESURRECTION BLUES. His favorite plays include: MAN AND SUPERMAN, THE COMMON PURSUIT, CHILDE BYRON, ART and the recent world premiere of Richard Greenburg’s THE NAKED LADY ON THE APPIAN WAY. In the world of music, Mr. de Lancie has performed with a number of major orchestras including: Kurt Masur, Sir Colin Davis and the New York Philharmonic; Esa Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Charles Dutoit and the Philadelphia Orchestra and The Montreal Symphony. His repertoire includes: PEER GYNT, KING DAVID, THE BOURGEOIS GENTLEMAN, THE LINCOLN PATRIOT, ST. JOAN, MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, OEDIPUS REX, YOUNG PEOPLE’S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA, THE SOLDIER’S TALE, THE NIGHTINGALE and, of course, PETER AND THE WOLF. Mr. de Lancie was the host of the L.A. Philharmonic SYMPHONIES FOR YOUTH for four years where he help conceptualize student concerts. In addition, he’s written (or adapted) and directed ten Symphonic Plays: these ninety-minute programs are fully staged productions with orchestra; titles include ROMEO AND JULIET, MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Korngold score), BOURGEOIS GENTLEMAN and THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO. They were produced with the Milwaukee, St. Paul Chamber, Ravinia, LA, and Pasadena Orchestras. He was also the writer/director/host of FIRST NIGHTS, an adult concert series at Disney Hall with the LA Philharmonic which explored the life and music of Stravinsky, Beethoven, Mahler, Schumann, and Prokofiev. These were fully integrated, fully staged productions. Mr. de Lancie has acted and directed in numerous L.A. Theatre Works productions. He was also co-owner, with Leonard Nimoy, of Alien Voices; a production company devoted to the dramatization of classic science fiction. He produced, co-wrote and directed dramatizations of: THE TIME MACHINE, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, THE LOST WORLD, THE INVISIBLE MAN, and THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON; as well as three television specials for the Sci-Fi Channel. Mr. de Lancie has directed three operas. His latest was TOSCA with The Atlanta Opera Company. John de Lancie is a graduate of Kent State University and The Juilliard School and when all is said and done, would rather be sailing!
DIANE ADAIR (Tour Manager) graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Communications from Chapman University in Orange, California, and, upon graduation, was accepted as a company member of South Coast Repertory Theatre. She has appeared on stage with June Lockhart in The William; co-starred opposite John Glover in The Traveler at The Mark Taper Forum and, most recently, played Meg Greenfield in L.A. Theatre Works’ national tour of Top Secret: Battle for the Pentagon Papers with John Heard, Susan Sullivan and Gregory Harrison. Her film credits include the critically acclaimed UFOria with Harry Dean Stanton, Fred Ward and Cindy Williams; and the 2002 Winner of the New York International Film Festival’s Best Mockumentary, Instant Trauma. Her numerous television guest star appearances include Fonzie’s girlfriend on Happy Days, and a recurring alien on Babylon 5. She has done voiceover work on national commercials, as well as the Emmy Award winning mini-series The Wild West, with Jack Lemmon and Helen Hunt. Diane worked as a producer/reporter for National Public Radio affiliate KPCC in Pasadena, California, and the nationally syndicated public radio show Marketplace with David Brancaccio and as producer for LA Theatre Works’ “The Play’s the Thing,” a weekly two-hour public radio drama series. In addition, she enjoys writing and was named a quarterfinalist in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting.
JOSH CLARK is very happy to return to L.A. Theatre Works for his third tour of WAR OF THE WORLDS/LOST WORLD, also having done several roles in the 2005 production of A TALE OF CHARLES DICKENS. BROADWAY: EXECUTION OF JUSTICE, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER at Circle in the Square, and ‘The March Hare’ in the Eva La Galliene directed ALICE IN WONDERLAND. OFF BROADWAY: Three plays at the Manhattan Theater Club; LESS THAN NORMAL, ‘Karl’ in BEETHOVEN/KARL, and the American premier of Simon Gray’s REAR COLUMN. Other favorites include another Simon Gray premier, MOLLY at the Hudson Guild, THE BROWNING VERSION at the Roundabout and THE OLD GLORY at the American Place Theater. REGIONAL: The 2008 production of OF MICE AND MEN at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he has also played ‘Sgt. Toomey’ in BILOXI BLUES, iWITNESS at the Mark Taper Forum, WANDERINGS OF ODYSSEUS (Taper/Getty), and plays at the Long Wharf Theater, Williamstown Festival, Seattle Rep, Walnut, and Cincinnati Playhouse. FILM: Big, Ragtime, Little Nikita, Darkbreed, and the indie Family of Four, currently in post production. TV FILMS: “Inherit the Wind,” “Kent State,” “George Washington.” RECENT TV: Guest starring roles in “Lincoln Heights,” “Women’s Murder Club,” “Sleeper Cell,” “24,” “Criminal Minds,” “Numb3rs,” “E-Ring,” “ER,” “Dirt,” “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Heroes” (recurring). On eight episodes of “Star Trek Voyager” he portrayed ‘Lt. Carey’, second in command of engineering. Mr. Clark is a proud member of the Antaeus Theater Company.
KYLE COLERIDER-KRUGH is delighted to be back on the road with LATW. His previous work for the company includes THE GREAT TENNESEE MONKEY TRIAL and BROADWAY BOUND as well as numerous collaborations with producer Susan Lowenberg and Chicago Theatres on the Air. He's a company member of the critically acclaimed Theatre Tribe in Los Angeles where audiences have enjoyed him in The Violet Hour, Book Of Days and Recent Tragic Events. Born and raised in Ohio where he graduated from Kent State with his BA in acting and directing, he worked in Cleveland at Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Seaworld Ohio, Cain Park, The Cleveland Playhouse, and five seasons with the Fairmount Theatre of the Deaf. Kyle and his wife, Tracy, moved to Chicago where their daughter Glenna was born and he appeared in Richard II, Sin (World Premiere) and Arcadia, (Goodman Theatre), Othello, Cloud Nine, The Triumph of Love, The Mystery Cycle: Creation & Passion, (Court Theatre), Anyone Can Whistle, (Pegasus Players), Shear Madness, (Blackstone Theatre), Othello, (Shakespeare Repertory) As You Like It, (Oak Park Festival), and two and half years of touring with THE BEST OF SECOND CITY. Additionally, he performed in Below The Belt (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta), Open Window (Pasadena Playhouse), and Take Me Out (Geffen Playhouse) and ART (Laguna Beach Playhouse) His film and television credits include: Primal Fear, Secretary, “Numb3rs,” “Without A Trace,” “ER,” “Sister Sister,” “The Pretender,” “Grace Under Fire,” “Third Rock From the Sun,” “Early Edition” and “Seinfeld.”
PETER McDONALD is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine. His television credits include: “E.R,” “Becker,” “Wings,” “Titus,” “Lois and Clark” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” He had a leading role in Instant Trauma, the 2002 Winner of the New York International Film Festival’s Best Mockumentary. On stage in Los Angeles he has played ‘Don Quixote’ in MAN OF LA MANCHA, ‘Cliff Bradshaw’ in CABARET, ‘Rosencrantz’ in Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, and ‘Lucentio’ in Taming of the Shrew to name a few. While studying with Gary Austin, Founder of The Groundlings Improv Company, Peter was a regular at The Ice House in Pasadena and The Comedy Store in San Diego. He received a Drama-logue Award Nomination for Best Actor in an Original Musical for Black Beauty.
KATE STEELE is thrilled to return to the road with LATW and WAR OF THE WORLDS/THE LOST WORLD. She previously toured nationally as ‘Sybil’ with L.A. Theatre Works’ production of PRIVATE LIVES and has also appeared with LATW as ‘Dull Gret/Angie’ in TOP GIRLS, as ‘Lulu’ in THE RUBY SUNRISE, and as ‘Chloe’ in ARCADIA. She was most recently seen as ‘Rosalind’ in AS YOU LIKE IT for the Weston Playhouse, ‘Sunny’ in THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO for La Mirada Theatre, and ‘Eileen’ in the West Coast Premiere of POOR BEAST IN THE RAIN at the Matrix Theatre. Kate was honored to be a part of the critically acclaimed production of VINCENT IN BRIXTON at The Old Globe Theatre and also performed at the Old Globe in the role of ‘Cherie’ in BUS STOP where she had the opportunity to work with Tony Award-winning director, Joseph Hardy. She made her West Coast theatre debut in AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN at the Pasadena Playhouse. She has appeared in several staged readings for Pacific Stages as well as a number of benefit performances around Los Angeles, including one for the Cure Autism Now foundation, which allowed her the privilege of sharing the stage with such legends as Lily Tomlin and Annette Bening. A native of Indiana, she has performed in numerous venues including summer stock, regional theatre, and New York City. TV/Film credits includes “Matchstick Men” and “Frasier”. Kate holds three summa cum laude degrees from Ball State University in Theatre, Dance, and Psychology. She thanks her family—both genetic and ‘surrogate’—for their constant love and belief.
TOM VIRTUE has acted in over a dozen radio plays for LATW, including last year's national tour of TOP SECRET: THE BATTLE FOR THE PENTAGON PAPERS. A graduate of Northwestern University’ School of Speech, he performed in Chicago with The Practical Theatre and was a member of The Second City’ Mainstage Company. He is the recipient of a Joseph Jefferson Award for his theatre work in Chicago, and has received the L.A. Theatre Award for his stage work in Los Angeles. Tom is a frequent TV guest star, having appearing most recently on “Brothers And Sisters,” “CSI: Miami,” and “The Mentalist.” He has also been a series regular on “The Building,” “The Bonnie Hunt Show” and the popular Disney Channel program, “Even Stevens.”
KENNETH ALAN WILLIAMS is thrilled to be back with L.A. Theatre Works for the third WAR OF THE WORLDS/LOST WORLD tour. Previously he was on two national theatre tours of The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial with Ed Asner, John de Lancie and Mike Farrell marking his seventh radio play production with L.A. Theatre Works. Most recently Kenny appeared on the L.A. stage in MR. KOLPERT at the Odyssey Theatre. Other L.A. stage credits include:L.A. Drama Critics Circle award winningAmong The Thugs at the Odyssey Theatre, Xanadu Live at the Gascon Theatre (also produced), Augusta at American Renegade, The Sun Dialogues at the Gascon and Xenogenesis (Garland Award winner) at the Eclectic. A Chicago native, Kenny has performed with a number of theaters there including: Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Organic, Next, Second City, National Jewish, Bailiwick, Wisdom Bridge, Northlight, Artistic Home and Strawdog as an ensemble member. His TV guest spots include: “Will & Grace,” “Passions” (recurring), “Any Day Now,” “V.I.P.,” “Dharma & Greg,” “Caroline In The City,” “Chicago Hope,” “Jamie Foxx Show,” “Veronica's Closet” and the recurring role of ‘Dr. Gabriel’ on “ER.” Film: VH-1's The Meat Loaf Story and Indies Megalomania, Jell-Ohh Lady, Spike and The Eyes of Scott Robbins playing the title character. Directing credits include the L.A. premiere of Kenneth Lonergan's hit play LOBBY HERO at the Odyssey Theatre, PARALLEL LIVES at Second Story and The Annihilation of Frank Polansky with Apartment A theatre. Kenny also teaches Viola Spolin improvisation technique in Los Angeles--at UCLA Extension-- and Chicago.
JARED COX (Production Stage Manager) - Jared is thrilled to take War of the Worlds/ The Lost World on the road for the third time. A California native, Jared received his B.A. in Theatre Arts from San Francisco State University. Though his emphasis was in performance, he quickly developed a keen interest in the backstage aspects of production as well. Exploring this duel interest in both tech and performance, he worked in all aspects of production during two seasons with SFSU's repertory theatre program, as well as in several main-stage productions. After graduation, he began working both backstage and on-stage in and around the Bay Area, including stints at The Exit Theatre -- home of the San Francisco Fringe Festival -- and Sierra Repertory Theatre in the California foothills. Jared moved to Los Angeles in 2000, where he works as a Stage Manager for the live theatrical productions at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Trevor Norton (Lighting Designer of record)With L.A. Theatre Works: TOP SECRET: THE BATTLE FOR THE PENTAGON PAPERS, THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE, THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL and PRIVATE LIVES. Pasadena Playhouse; THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS (current); 10 Shows at The Old Globe including: OSCAR AND THE PINK LADY, ALL MY SONS, THE SANTALAND DIARIES, DA and VITA AND VIRGINIA. 9 seasons with Shakespeare Festival LA with shows including: MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, ROMEO AND JULIET, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and AS YOU LIKE IT. 16 shows with San Diego Repertory Theatre including: The Doors CELEBRATION OF THE LIZARD (world premiere), THE ILLUSION(Garland Award), A CHRISTMAS CAROL 1997 through 2000, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, AVENUE X, and THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. Several world premier productions with Bottoms Dream including: EROTIC CURTSIES and Mac Wellman’s THE LESSER MAGOO. Other theaters include; The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, La Jolla Playhouse, A Noise Within, The Lobero Theatre, and The Wheeler Opera House. Trevor is a private pilot and the proud parent (with lovely wife Jennifer) of two perfect children, Lillian and Reid.
LINDSAY JONES (Sound Designer of record)
MARK HOLDEN (Sound Designer) Mark Holden (Sound Designer): Mark has over a decade of experience recording and mixing projects in studios, on sets, and on live stages. He has recorded and mixed well over 100 plays for LA Theatre Works and the BBC. As a musician, Mark understands that communication and comfort are essentials in a creative space, which is why he created The Invisible Studios in West Hollywood. This boutique recording environment is where LA Theatre Works records their in-studio projects. Check out the website at www.theinvisiblestudios.com
TONY PALERMO (Sound Effects Consultant) – is a radio dramatist, performer, and educator based in Los Angeles. He recently did live SFX for Eric Idle’s WHAT ABOUT DICK? and Norman Corwin’s STRANGE AFFLICTION as well as L.A. Theatre Work’s production of Brecht’s THE LIFE OF GALILEO. Tony’s Sparx Audio Adventures assembly programs are popular with schools and colleges across California, the U.S. and the world. Tony also hosts the RuyaSonic Radio Drama Resources website, offering info on writing, directing, scoring, engineering, and sound effects. www.RuyaSonic.com.
