DECATUR - On Oct. 30, 1938, Orson Welles shocked America with a radio broadcast, "The War of the Worlds."

The Welles show warned: "The Martians are coming! The Martians are coming!"

There was consternation as the invaders devastated the New Jersey countryside, vividly described by Welles' Mercury Theatre actors. Before the hour was up, the retelling of H.G. Wells' science fiction novel triggered mass hysteria.

Now, the Martians are coming to Decatur.

WJMU, 89.5 FM, the Millikin University radio station, will air a prerecorded re-enactment of the drama at 7 p.m. Thursday, with Millikin students, staff and faculty in the roles of cast members. A listening gathering and question-and-answer session is planned in the East Room in lower Richards Treat University Center and is open to the public.

Matt Tucker, general manager of WJMU, is credited with the idea.

"I thought about it a couple of years ago, thought it would be neat for the 70th anniversary of the show. For a small fee, I secured the rights.

"In April, I met with three students I trusted and said, 'Let's do it.' "

Mark Beanblossom became the casting director, Mike D'Amaro took over promotion and Rex Coker adapted the script. Each is a senior: Beanblossom from Carlinville, D'Amaro from Springfield and Coker from Sabetha, Kan.

Coker changed the original script in order to place the invaders in Macon County and Central Illinois.

"We auditioned more than 60 people for the 22-member cast, indicating high interest," Tucker said. "So far, it is sounding quite good. We have some excellent voice talent, and we've created some original sound effects."

Coker added: "Unfortunately, we don't have enough equipment for all the sound effects we'd like to do."

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The show will run for about one hour.

Two faculty members are in the cast: Michael O'Connor, professor of English, and Steve Fiol, director of the Center for International Education.

The Millikin Jazz Band provides the music.

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CAST MEMBERS

Carl Phillips: Max Newland

Professor Pierson: Michael O'Connor

Radio host: Steve Fiol

Announcer 1: Julie Savia

Announcer 2: Adam Moderow

Announcer 3: Kenna Hall

Policeman: Kelsee Hankins

Mr. Wilmuth: Kyle Tasch

Gen. Montgomery Smith: Justin Hesse

Harriett McDonald: Rex Coker

Capt. Lansing: Zach Uttich

Secretary of Interior: James Rauff

Gunner: Chris Tefft

Observer: Carla Seet

Officer: Lauren Taylor

Commander: Joseph Bein

Operator 1: Kayla Bennett

Operator 2: Mike D'Amaro

Operator 3: James White

Operator 4: Doug Land

Operator 5: Sandra McKenna

Stranger: Mark Beanblossom

EXTRAORDINARY INFLUENCE

"The War of the Worlds" has been reinvented many times, in books, on television, in the movies, in the comics.

The first of four film adaptations was by George Pal in 1953. A 2006 remake was by Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise. The radio broadcast has been referenced many times on film and TV, even by Woody Allen and the Simpsons.

In 1968. a Buffalo. N.Y., radio station created a minor panic with an updated version.

- Source: Paramount