Connecticut Repertory Theatre presents
War of the Worlds 2023: A Servant of Two Networks
November 30 - December 10
By Jaron Hollander
Directed by Jaron Hollander
Breaking News! Aliens have landed in Hartford, Connecticut! Why are they here, what do they want, and just how much mayhem will the resulting 24-hour news coverage incite? HG Wells’ sci-fi masterpiece The War of The Worlds meets Carlo Goldoni’s commedia dell’arte classic The Servant of Two Masters in this hilarious exploration of fear, fascination, and the power of talking heads. A wild, improv-driven adventure. With puppets!
War of the Worlds 2023 is the brainchild of third-year MFA Puppet Arts graduate student Jaron Hollander. Asked what sparked his interest in combining these two stories, Hollander says “it was my background. For the culmination of my graduate degree, I wanted to bring together puppet arts, commedia, and science fiction. I went back to one of the earliest science fiction stories, The War of The Worlds. The Orson Welles adaptation made the story about the media. We are in a moment now where the world is polarizing into two different points of view, largely driven by the media. I thought, if these media extremes represent the two masters, what happens when someone works for opposing sides simultaneously?” Hollander is excited to combine his favorite audience-enthralling disciplines — puppetry, clowning, and acrobatics — into a single show.
The heart of commedia rests in the characters’ appetites. Who they are, how badly they want something, and the lengths they will go to get what they want — is a fun way to explore characters in rehearsal and performance. Their character framework forms the basis for improv that makes it easier to construct a story with often hilariously ridiculous outcomes. It’s the sort of creative exploration that lights up actors’ imaginations.
War of the Worlds 2023 is sponsored by UConn’s Human Rights Institute , celebrating over 21 years of examining the most pressing human rights questions and preparing the next generation of human rights leaders.
Suitability Warning: This play is for mature audiences. War of the Worlds 2023 contains strong profanity, graphic language, sexual innuendo, and descriptions of sexual activity.
PERFORMANCES:
Thursday, November 30 at 7:30 PM
Friday, December 1 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 2 at 8:00 PM
Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, December 7 at 7:30 PM
Friday, December 8 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 9 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 9 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 PM
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Post Performance Talkbacks: Thursday 12/7 & Saturday 12/9 matinee
Mask Required Performances: Thursday 12/7 & Sunday 12/10 matinee
TICKETS:
To purchase tickets and find more information, visit crt.uconn.edu
Design Team:
Puppet Desiger | Jaron Hollander
Scenic Designer | Austin Kuhn
Lighting Designer | Kayo Tokuue
Costume Designer | Adrianne Williams
Sound Designer & Original Music | Jake Neighbors
Production Stage Manager | Alison Savino
The Company:
ACTORS:
Alex Winnick
Weimy Montero Candelario
Charles Rusciano
Kaitlyn Oliva
Annie Tolis
Carlos Fruzetti
PUPPETTEERS:
Jerry Harney
Melissa Carter
Thomas Tuke
FAQ
HEALTH & SAFETY
Mask Required Performances: Thursday 12/7 & Sunday 12/10 matinee
All other performances: Masks are strongly encouraged but not required.
SEATING
Seating is reserved. Patrons will need to have a printed or digital copy of their ticket with them in order to enter the theatre. All tickets will be sent via email.
BAG POLICY
No backpacks, laptops, or briefcases are permitted inside CRT theatres. Only bags smaller than 12" x 6" x 12" will be permitted inside. Patrons with over-sized or prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicles or discard them. An exception will be made for medically necessary items. Over-sized and prohibited items are unable to be stored at the theatre.
LOCATION
The performance will at Nafe Katter Theatre: 802 Bolton Rd., Storrs, CT 06269
PARKING
Parking is available in the evening and on weekends at all surrounding University lots.
Additional parking is available in the Downtown Storrs Parking Garage, which is free for your first two hours and then just $1/hour. The garage is about a 3-minute walk to the Nafe Katter Theare.