Mercury Summer Theatre of the Air

The radio home of Welles's ground-breaking Mercury Theatre Company. Following the success of Welles's radio adaptation of Hugo's Les Miserables, CBS requested a 13-episode run with Welles starring and directing, transferring the already well-regarded Mercury Theatre to the radio.

The Mercury Theatre on the Air became the Campbell Playhouse after gaining sponsorship from Campbell Soup. The War of the Worlds broadcast impressed them, leading to a new episode adaptation of Rebecca. Welles was praised as a genius and shared his unique radio drama philosophy.

Join actors from Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation as they recreate this classic radio thriller. The breathless pace and convincing details make it clear why the 1938 broadcast of an “eyewitness report” of an invasion from Mars caused a nationwide panic.