Amid favorable notices, at least one Chicago critic is predicting Wells and Welles will have have a theatrical life beyond its world premiere in the Windy City.
In Wells and Welles, playwright Amy Crider speculates on what common values might have been shared between 74-year-old British novelist H.G Wells and America’s “Boy Genius” Orson Welles during their first and only meeting on October 28, 1940. The two men happened to be in San Antonio, Texas, at the same time for separate lectures and agreed to chat with Charles C. Shaw on KTSA-AM radio.
Wells published The War of the Worlds in 1897 and Welles famously adapted the sci-fi tale for radio 39 years later.
Chicago critics had praise for Crider, director Amber Mandley and actors Pete Blatchford (Wells) and Gerrit Wilford (Welles). A sampling of recent online reviews:
This is a rather intellectual piece, and the imaginary banter between the 75-year-old H.G. and the 25-year-old Orson is provocative and intriguing. Despite their 50-year difference, the two characters hold their own very well… In sum, Wells and Welles is a cleverly constructed and well-written show that is not only a credit to Crider’s insightful vision but also a noteworthy personal achievement. In addition to creating the script, the playwright funded the full run herself with her retirement savings and created her own theatre company, hired her own actors and crew, and rented out City Lit’s space while the troupe was on summer hiatus. Her labor of love thus deserves a wonderful reception from a rapt audience, grateful for the revival of these two important men of letters, whose steadfast resolve and personal philosophies can tell us a lot about their character and the era that they once lived in. – Around Town Chicago
It’s not every play where two actors can captivate an audience for 90 minutes and make it feel like it wasn’t long enough. It’s also not every day you can see a world premiere of a play that will no doubt be picked up by theatre companies across the country. It is well worth your time to see Wells and Welles and experience this world premiere production. In a time where the real war of the worlds could be happening any day now and radio is now what we stream, don’t miss your chance to see this incredible play. – Buzz Center Stage
Nicely directed by Amber Mandley, the pacing is excellent and the players move thoughtfully and meaningfully around Kevin Rolfs’ set design depicting the motel room of H.G. Wells. Technical director Alvaro Ledesma’s lighting and sound design did an effective job of setting the rainy evening ambience… This world premiere play has national, indeed worldwide appeal and should be readily snapped up by other smaller theaters around the globe and acting pairs looking to showcase their abilities to embody two interesting and thought-provoking characters. – Chicago Theater and Arts
This delightful world premiere production tells the story of one day in the life of these two world-renowned figures…. Director Mandley keeps the action crisp and the actors do a fine job with Crider’s well-written dialogue — dialogue suitable for two geniuses. – Third Coast Review
Wells and Welles is being staged by the Lucid Theater Company at City Lit Theater on 1020 W. Bryn Mawr in Chicago through August 11.
Abridged versions of the historic KTSA radio appearance by H.G. Wells and Orson Welles can be easily found on YouTube. The complete 24-minute radio appearance is streamed by Indiana University online at orsonwelles.indiana.edu/items/show/2025
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