Ensemble Theatre Company Presents “War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast”
**Events may have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the venue to confirm the event.
Date & Time
Wed, Oct 08 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Thu, Oct 09 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri, Oct 10 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat, Oct 11 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Sun, Oct 12 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tue, Oct 14 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Wed, Oct 15 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Thu, Oct 16 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri, Oct 17 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat, Oct 18 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sat, Oct 18 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun, Oct 19 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wed, Oct 22 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wed, Oct 22 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Thu, Oct 23 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri, Oct 24 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat, Oct 25 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sat, Oct 25 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun, Oct 26 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Address (map)
33 West Victoria Street Santa Barbara CA 93101
Venue (website)
The New Vic Theatre
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC), Santa Barbara’s only professional theatre company and a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), opens its 47th season “Truth and Illusion” with the electrifying theatrical experience WAR OF THE WORLDS: THE PANIC BROADCAST, written by Joe Landry and directed by Jamie Torcellini. This masterful reenactment of Orson Welles’ legendary 1938 radio drama will perform Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 11 at 8:00pm) and runs through Sunday October 26, 2025 at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria Street.
Step back in time to October 30, 1938, and relive the legendary broadcast that sent the nation into panic! This immersive 90-minute production (with no intermission) recreates the infamous radio drama that blurred the line between fiction and reality, perfectly launching ETC’s season theme of “Truth and Illusion.” Audiences will witness the behind-the-scenes drama as a talented radio troupe performs H.G. Wells’ science fiction masterpiece live, complete with vintage sound effects, period music, and the raw energy that made Orson Welles’ broadcast a cultural phenomenon.
WAR OF THE WORLDS: THE PANIC BROADCAST previews on Wednesday, October 8 (Community Pay-What-You-Can Night), Thursday, October 9 at 7:30pm and Friday, October 10 at 8:00pm; opens on Saturday, October 11 at 8:00pm (press opening) and runs through Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 2:00pm at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.
Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm; with added performances on Tuesday, October 14 at 7:30pm, Saturday, October 18 at 3pm, Wednesday, October 22 at 2pm and Saturday, October 25 at 3:00pm.at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.
Ticket prices range from $40 – $104. All Patrons 35 and under are always $35. Student tickets are $25. Single tickets are available through the ETC ticket office at (805) 965-5400, or online at etcsb.org. Prices subject to change.
