Historical Playbills can be viewed by clicking here.
South City Theatre
Presents
The War of the Worlds
The 1938 Radio Broadcast
Based on the novel by H. G. Wells and written by Howard E Koch
Place/Time
Sunday, October 30, 1938. Evening.
The sound stage of the Columbia Broadcasting System Studio, New York City.
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)
THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW.
CREW
| Director | Amanda (A.G.) Crist |
| Stage Manager | Shelby Arnold |
| Set Designer | Amanda (A.G.) Crist |
| Set Construction | Mike Gerrells, Ron Rabun, Lee Ferguson |
| Interior Decorators | Cast and Crew |
| Sound and Lighting Designer/Operator | Julia Jones |
| Props | Spring Creek Prop Farm |
| Poster Design/Printed Program | Delaine Derry Green and David Garrett |
| Online Program Design | Lisa Ponder |
Cast
| Orson Welles, Professor Richard Pierson, General Montgomery Smith, Officer, Operators #2, #3, and #5 | Alex Arnold |
| Reporter Carl Phillips, The Stranger, Vice-President Harry McDonald, Commander Voght | Holt Thomas |
| Announcer, Policeman, Mr. Wilmuth, Secretary of the Interior | Jim Billings |
| Foley Artist, Captain Lansing, Observer, Operator #4 | Lena Rios |
| Operator #1, Gunner | Amanda (A.G.) Crist |
Board of Directors
| Artistic Director | Donna Williamson |
| President | Lisa Ponder |
| Vice-President | TBD |
| Secretary | Sue Ellen Gerrells |
| Treasurer | John Chain |
Members at Large
Dianne Rowe, Michael Wilbanks, Thomas Robinson, Trey Woodrow, Steven Ross, Jim Billings, Michelle Vercher, and Mike Gerrells
Special Thanks
Thank you to our families, for their enduring support; Benjamin Kitchens; Angela Shields; Jess Smyly and Ben Holley; Maddie, Carson, and “Beave” Cooper; Bailey Jackson; The Gardner, Holder, and Pender families, Minuteman Press, and Spring Creek Prop Farm.
This production is dedicated in memory of Stuart Gardner, whose joyous love of theater has always inspired us, and will forever.
Director’s Notes
Cliché as it sounds, directing a mainstage show at South City Theatre has been a dream of mine since I was a child, tagging along to SCT children’s workshop rehearsals for The Jungle Book with the Arnold family. It took about an hour for me to decide I was in love with the theater and wanted to get as involved as possible. It’s been about 20 years, and I’ve only grown more sure of that feeling. Since those early days, I’ve lived, worked, written, performed, and directed a number of stage, film, and radio productions across the Southeast and in New York City, where I recently completed my graduate studies in media. It’s good to be home.
I was expecting to be completely overwhelmed by this fabulous and notorious show, originated on air by Orson Welles, arguably the finest dramaturgical technician to ever strut or fret upon any stage. Fortunately, this cast and crew has been nothing short of a blessing—hardworking, creative, imaginative, and eager. It’s been a thrill to work with them, and we hope y’all enjoy what we’ve made together.
Cast and Crew Bios
Alex Arnold (Orson Welles, Professor Richard Pierson, General Montgomery Smith, Officer, Operators #2, #3, and #5) Working with South City Theatre over the past two decades has been a pleasure. But being unable to commit to more than a couple of shows a year has been a source of great consternation. We are all busy, however the excitement of bringing this
classic sci-fi story to the stage is unparalleled. Sit back and enjoy as we
attempt to mimic the impending panic of 1938.
James Billings (Announcer, Policeman, Mr. Wilmuth, Secretary of the Interior) He most recently appeared in A Reunion to Die For (Dr. Nick) with The Pelham BEAT and South City Theatre. His previous productions with South City Theatre include: The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, The Diary of Anne Frank, Smoke on the Mountain, Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming, and A (Not-So) Retro Christmas. James retired in 2015 after more than 30 years of service in the U.S. Army. When not performing, James teaches public speaking at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Montevallo. He is also a member of First United Methodist Church of Alabaster, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12185 in Alabaster, and South City Theatre’s board of directors.
Holt Thomas (Reporter Carl Phillips, The Stranger, Vice-President Harry McDonald, Commander Voght) This show marks the one-year anniversary for Holt returning to acting and his third show with South City Theatre. Previously seen at SCT in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (Harker) and Covering Dish (Hector) and in Moonlight in Magnolias (David O. Selznick) for Montevallo Mainstreet Players. This is Holt’s first attempt at a radio style show and he’s pretty excited to stretch those voice characterizations. As always, thanks so much to Melanie and Lee for being supportive and putting up with my absent nights.
Lena Rios (Foley Artist, Captain Lansing, Observer, Operator #4) This local stage gremlin is very excited to be back on stage! You may have seen her as any and all behind-the-scenes roles for South City Theatre’s Acting Up! Children’s program. Lena plans to go into Theatre Education after graduating from the University of Montevallo’s theatre program in the Spring.
Amanda (A.G.) Crist (Director, Operator #1, Gunner) A writer, director, performer, and artist based in Birmingham, Alabama, A.G. is thrilled to direct their first mainstage production at South City Theatre.
Shelby Arnold(Stage Manager ) Grew up loving theater. This is Shelby’s first show in 15 years. She’s thankful to be a part of this production.
Julia Jonze (Lighting) (she/her) is excited to join the team at South City Theatre! She is a freelance scenic painter, lighting technician, and fine artist, having recently graduated with bachelor degrees in both Theatre and Art at the University of Montevallo. Her scenic artist credits include The Addams Family and Singin’ in the Rain, both at Trollwood Performing Arts School (Fargo, ND). She also was an electrician at Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre (Logan, UT) for their Summer 2022 season, and an electrician at The Lost Colony (Manteo, NC) for their 2021 season.
AUDITIONS! A Doublewide Texas Christmas
South City Theatre announces auditions for A Doublewide, Texas Christmas by Jones Hope Wooten. This production is directed by Mary Anne Garrett.
- Auditions will be held at South City Theatre on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, and Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Auditions will consist of cold reading from the script.
- Show dates are December 13-14, 2024, and December 20-21, 2024, at 7:30 PM, with a matinee on December 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM.
More details are available at https://www.southcitytheatre.com/2024/09/29/auditions-a-doublewide-texas-christmas/
In Memory of Stuart Gardner
Thank you to everyone who has donated in memory of Stuart Gardner. Many of us had the honor of knowing Stuart over the years. He will be missed.
ANNOUNCING OUR 2024-2025
25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
Sponsors and Advertisers
The organizations and businesses below support our mission to bring quality theatre to Shelby County. Please take a moment to visit their sites and support their work.
The mission of the Pelham Beautification Entertainment & Arts Team, Inc., a non-profit corporation, is to support, nurture and promote the arts, cultural organizations, community beautification, entertainment, and artists in the City of Pelham, Alabama, enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors and promoting economic growth.
2659 Pelham Pkwy, Pelham, Alabama 35124
(205) 621-2722
https://www.helena.minutemanpress.com/
South City Theatre is a proud member of the following:
Hey Leila, BREAK A LEG!!! Love Sophia!
Break a leg!
I’m so proud of all of you and of the work you’ve done to bring this show together. Sending you all break a legs. Lisa