ENTERTAINMENT

Wetumpka Depot takes theater outdoors with 'Elvis Sightings' and 'War of the Worlds'

'Elvis Sightings: Hunka Burnin' Tump' will be performed at three locations across downtown Wetumpka on Saturday and Sunday

Staff reports
Terry Grant, left, and Jeff Glass in an outdoor scene from "Elvis Sightings: Hunka Burnin' Tump," from the Wetumpka Depot Players.

The Wetumpka Depot Players step outside the box (and into the street) to keep theatre alive during the pandemic.

The award-winning River Region theatre group is producing two outside theatre events, effectively avoiding inside gatherings and taking advantage of fall weather. 

"Elvis Sightings: Hunka Burnin’ Tump," a comedy with music written and directed by Depot veteran Kim Mason, will be performed Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m.  

The classic extraterrestrial radio drama, "The War of the Worlds Radio Play" will be performed October 29 and 30 at 6:30 p.m.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with multiple artists and volunteers, while following CDC guidelines, to continue creating theatre for our community,” said Depot Artistic Director Kristy Meanor. “Both of these events will be a blast for our patrons as our artists work together to bring much-needed entertainment to our community. Kim Mason, an accomplished director and actor and, now, playwright, was inspired to write 'Elvis Sightings: Hunka Burnin’ Tump' after my mother, Barbara Kelley, shared with Kim her experience of seeing Elvis on stage in Montgomery in 1955! Kim has created a comedy with music for fans of Elvis and for those who simply like to laugh." 

The Wetumpka Depot Players present "War of the Worlds" on Oct. 29 and 30, in the Depot parking lot.

After wrapping "Elvis Sightings," The Depot Players will move on to 'The War of the Worlds," which is perfect for Halloween week. 

"The live radio broadcast is the story of a Martian invasion of Earth," Meanor said. "When it originally aired in 1938, Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre company were so convincing in their performances that listeners throughout the U.S. thought the broadcast was a terrifying live event. I’m calling 'The War of the Worlds,' the first ‘fake news’ event predating social media!“

The logistics for each event will be sent to patrons after they make a donation to attend. 

"Elvis Sightings: Hunka Burnin’ Tump" will be performed across three downtown locations, all within walking distance to the theatre. Patrons will park in the Depot parking lot, check in at the front desk, and receive instructions on where to go to see each scene of the play.

Patrons should bring lawn chairs and wear masks. 

The "Elvis Sightings" donation is $15 per person. 

"The War of the Worlds" event will take place in the Depot Parking lot. Patrons will need to find nearby parking, which should be plentiful in the evening, and also bring lawn chairs, blankets and wear masks. 

'The War of the World' donation is $10 per adult, with no charge for children ages 10-18 who attend with a paying adult.

Both shows are suitable for children 10 and over.

To make donations for these events visit wetumpkadepot.com. For more information contact Kristy Meanor at kmeanor@wetumpkadepot.com. 

The Wetumpka Depot Theatre is located at 300 S Main St. in historic, downtown Wetumpka.