With Orson Welles’ 100th birthday celebrations planned in New York, Indiana, Illinois, Arizona and Spain, it is fitting that his birthplace of Kenosha, Wisconsin, will also celebrate the late filmmaker’s centenary.
Nita Hunter and the Citizen Welles Society have put together a month-long tribute for May that recalls Welles’ Wisconsin childhood, radio success, political activism and filmmaking.
Kenosha civic leaders and Welles authors Joseph McBride (What Ever Happened to Orson Welles?: A Portrait of an Independent Career) and A. Brad Schwartz (Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News,)are among the featured guests at the gala celebration.
Highlights include:
May 6, 7 p.m., Carthage College:
Kick-off event with Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman. Alderman Jan Michalski and members of the Citizen Welles Society of Kenosha will show highlights from Welles’ films. Patrick McGilligan, author of the upcoming Young Orson: The Years of Luck and Genius on the Path to Citizen Kane, will speak, with a special emphasis on Welles’ early days in Kenosha.May 9, 2 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum:
The War of the Worlds performance presented by RG Productions.
A. Brad Schwartz, author of Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News, will introduce the show and host a talkback afterward.May 13, 5:30 p.m., Southwest Library:
Me and Orson Welles, a book and film discussion.This program focuses on the novel Me and Orson Welles by Robert Kaplow and the 2008 film based on the novel. Both will be discussed.May 15, 7 p.m., UW-Parkside Cinema Theatre:
Citizen Kane will be screened.May 16, 2 p.m., Simmons Library:
“Orson Welles & FDR: On the Campaign Trail.”
Franklin Delano Roosevelt re-enactor Gary Stamm and Michalski, portraying Orson Welles, will perform this short play written by Nita Hunter. The play is comprised of the 1944 speeches Welles gave in support of FDR.May 24, 2 p.m., Woman’s Club of Kenosha:
The Magnificent Ambersons film screening and discussion with film historian and Welles biographer Joseph McBride.
The Woman’s Club is located in Library Park, near Welles’ childhood home. Carriage rides around the park will be offered.May 30-31, 1 to 4 p.m., Green Ridge Cemetery:
The Orson Welles 100th Anniversary Memorial Walk.
For more info, visit citizenwelles.org or email Nita Hunter at nhunter271@yahoo.com
Details on other centenary celebrations may be found at our Orson Welles centenary celebrations and film festivals page.
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