The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds
Frank Buxton’s adaptation of The War of the Worlds puts the famous events of Orson Welles’ 1938 broadcast right in our own backyards. Tune in as Director Kate Meyers and a cast featuring Erik Van Beuzekom, John Ellis, Matt Longmire, Diane Walker, Pete Benson, Fred Saas, Kate Pippinger, Dolly Courtway, Bob Tull, Walt Brown, and Andrew Bendokas bring this classic H.G. Wells story to thrilling new life.
Talkback Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m.
Join us for a live Talkback Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m. We’ll discuss the creative process for this Bainbridge Pod Accomplice episode with Director Kate Meyers and the cast, and we’ll get the inside scoop on the podcast’s behind-the-scenes highlights. The Talkback will be hosted live with our guests over Zoom and simultaneously streamed to our Facebook page HERE. An audio version of this Q&A will be posted HERE a few days after it airs.
TUNE IN ANYTIME, ANYWHERE FOR FREE NEW EPISODES OF THE BAINBRIDGE POD ACCOMPLICE THAT PREMIERE EVERY FRIDAY OR LISTEN TO PREVIOUS EPISODES HERE
The Bainbridge Pod Accomplice is a free podcast featuring a series of plays starring your favorite local performers and directors.
The Bainbridge Pod Accomplice team
Audio Engineer - Matt Hadlock, Creative Coordinator - Miranda Feldtman, Production Manager - Deirdre Hadlock, Producer - Liz Ellis, Director of Operations - Siobhan Maguire, Talk-Back Producer & Host - Matt Longmire, BPA Executive Director - Dominique Cantwell, BPA Public Relations Director - Sally Jo Martine
Podcast Theme Music
Our theme music “Swing for Mike” is written and performed by Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers.” Find out more about the band at www.RangerSwings.com.
BAINBRIDGE POD ACCOMPLICE MEDIA SPONSOR:
KCTS-9 PUBLIC TELEVISION
Credits
Based on the book by H.G. Wells and inspired by the 1938 Mercury Theatre radio play by Howard Koch
Adapted by Frank Buxton
Creative Team
KATE MEYERS (formerly Carruthers), Director
Kate first set foot on BPA’s stage almost 35 years ago and cherishes the many roles she has played at BPA since then, from backstage crew to actor, member of the board, fundraiser, and Director.
Kate is especially excited to direct this production of The War of the Worlds for BPA. In 1998, she was Producer for Island Theatre’s on- stage production of Frank Buxton’s original adaptation of The War of the Worlds, also presented at BPA. She performed in and assisted Frank Buxton in several other “On the Air: From the Golden Age of Radio” shows performed at BPA, which included episodes of Fibber McGee and Molly, The Shadow, and Meet Corliss Archer, and a holiday production of It’s a Wonderful Life. Old-time radio – the “Theater of the Mind” – is a unique art form. As Frank often said: “There’s never been anything like it…and it’s doubtful that there ever will be again.” Thank you, Frank…Onward!
Frank Buxton - Adaptation
Founding member of The EDGE Improv, Frank’s professional acting debut was in summer stock with the legendary Buster Keaton. He produced, wrote, and directed many television series (The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Mork and Mindy) and performed in feature films, TV series and TV movies. Here at BPA he appeared in Noises Off, Our Town, The Man Who Came To Dinner, Twelve Angry Men, and many more.
Frank’s spirit lives on today, guiding us with humor, humanity, and wisdom. The Hot Dog! Fund, founded by Frank Buxton and Cynthia Sears, is held at the Bainbridge Community Foundation and benefits the artistic and capital excellence of Bainbridge Performing Arts.
“It’s difficult to convey to young people today how important radio was to us then. There was no TV. Movies, while costing very little to see, were still well beyond the means of many Americans. Then too, radio was a unique art form. It was the “theater of the mind” in which everything took place in your imagination. You created everything. You knew what the characters looked like without seeing them. You built the sets and designed the costumes. You pictured the action. All within the confines of your own imagination. There’s never been anything like it….and it’s doubtful there ever will be again.” Read Frank’s full Director’s Notes for The War of the Worlds from Island Theatre’s 1998 program here.
Cast
Erik Van Beuzekom - Orson Wells / Pierson / Gunner
Erik has played Orson Welles in a one man show for nine years, traveling to L.A., Illinois, and Vienna, Austria. He has also played Iago, RP, McMurphy, and Brick.
“I am looking forward to playing Orson with the other actors. I was a Greasepaint member in 1985, and I’m excited to be back with BPA.”
John Ellis - Voice / Announcer / Captain Lansing / Operator
Founding member of The EDGE Improv and recipient of the 2018 Island Treasure award, John has appeared on the BPA stage in Noises Off, Annie, Born Yesterday, Guys and Dolls, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, ‘Art’, Sylvia, and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
“Thanks Bainbridge for supporting The EDGE for all these years!”
Fred Saas - Voice / Policeman / Officer
Fred was in the 1998 cast of this Frank Buxton adaptation and is honored to be a part of its revival. Frank was and is an integral part of our community.
“In quarantine, I am recovering from the cancelation of a show I was rehearsing, and I am currently resting.”
Matt Longmire - Announcer / Voice
Matt Longmire holds a degree in Theatre from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has spent years in commercial voiceover and audiobook narration.
“I’ve always been connected to BPA in different ways, but I’m thrilled to finally have the chance to join an actual production as part of The War of the Worlds!
Kate Pippinger - Voice / Operator / Woman
Kate was thrilled to perform as Diana (understudy) in Next to Normal this past year with The Lesser-Known Players. BPA credits include Big Fish and The Secret Garden.
“It’s been 20+ years since I performed with the original cast who put together the talented Frank Buxton's Radio program (which included The War of the Worlds) at BPA, and I’m thrilled to be back!”
Pete Benson - Announcer / Operator
You may have seen Pete on the BPA Stage as Benedict in Much Ado about Nothing, Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, or Bill in August: Osage County.
“Radio plays allow our imaginations to create the visuals that feed our story. As George Bernard Shaw once said ‘Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.’ I look forward to creating once again.”
Diane Walker - Mrs. Wilmuth / Observer / Woman
Former BCB manager Diane Walker has appeared in numerous roles at BPA, including Mother Jones in The Kentucky Cycle, Maggie in The Women, and Liza/Gabby in Peter Pan.
“It was great fun working with The Bainbridge Stay-at-Home Companion during the quarantine; I’m looking forward to participating in BPA’s newest audio adventure.”
Dolly Courtway - Voice / Operator
Dolly has previously been seen on stage in BPA’s Matilda, in the Lesser Known Players’ Lettice & Lovage, and in BPA’s The Wizard of Oz (as a munchkin, of course).
“Bainbridge Performing Arts is very important to me, so having this opportunity to be part of the show is really amazing - especially during a pandemic.”
Bob Tull - Voice / MacDonald / Pilot
Bob has been involved in BPA for 15 years, both on the board and on stage. One of his favorite plays that he performed in was Twelve Angry Men.
“One of the challenges during these difficult times is to continue to support our nonprofit organizations that make our communities and world better places to live.”
Walt Brown - Voice / Secretary / Man
Walt has performed in theatre, musical theatre, and opera throughout the West Coast. Recent favorites have been AIDA with Seattle Opera, two original musicals by Paul Lewis, and the play Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.
“This presentation of War of the Worlds gives actors a unique opportunity as storytellers to engage listeners’ imaginations and allow them the excitement of becoming active participants in the story with us. Enjoy the journey!”
Andrew Bendokas - Voice / Brigadier General Smith / Stranger
Andrew currently lives in the South Seattle area. Though he has not done much acting, he has been told - while hosting karaoke and lecturing at his local church - that he has a great radio voice.
“I played in BPA’s band for Chicago, and it’s great to be working with them again. Even though this is my first time performing as a voice actor, I am looking forward to this new experience and hoping to add to it.”
Episode Premiere
September 25, 2020
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