Orson Welles adopted hometown of Woodstock, Illinois, will honor the late filmmaker and his love of Shakespeare during the month of October.
The nonprofit Woodstock Celebrates, which organized two Welles-related festivals in 2014 and 2015, detailed the programming and guests on its Facebook page.
Film screenings include the Welles-directed Macbeth, Othello and Chimes at Midnight, as well as footage of his 1936 stage production of “Voodoo” Macbeth and television production of King Lear.
Special guests announced so far include producer Michael Dawson, and noted authors and scholars Michael Anderegg (Welles and Shakespeare) and Marguerite Rippy (Orson Welles and the Unfinished RKO Projects). Rippy is currently at work on Welles’ 1936 stage production of “Voodoo” Macbeth.
With the exception of the Classic Cinemas screenings at the Woodstock Theater, times and events are subject to change.
Wednesday – October 12, 7 p.m.
Location: The Woodstock Theater / Classic Cinemas
Orson Welles’ Reconstructed “Macbeth”
Michael Dawson will introduce the film, and there will be a Q&A following the film.
Wednesday – October 19, 7 p.m.
Location: The Woodstock Theater / Classic Cinemas
Orson Welles’ restored “Othello”
Michael Dawson, who co-produced the restoration, will introduce the film, and there will be a Q&A following the film.
Wednesday – October 26, 7 p.m.
Location: The Woodstock Theater / Classic Cinemas
Orson Welles’ remastered “Chimes At Midnight”
Special guest introduction to be announced. There will be a Q&A following the film.
Friday – October 28, 7 p.m.
Location: The Woodstock Opera House
Robin Weatherby’s Production of “Five Kings”
Additional entertainment to be announced.
Saturday – October 29, 10 a.m.
Location: Flores Banquet Hall, 240 N. Throop Street, Woodstock
Michael Dawson will discuss his restorations of Welles’ “Othello” and “Chimes at Midnight.”
There will be a screening of the documentary “Restoring ‘Othello.’ ”
Saturday – October 29, 1 p.m.
Location: Flores Banquet Hall, 240 N. Throop Street Woodstock
Professor Marguerite Rippy will discuss her upcoming book on Orson Welles’ all-black “Macbeth” set in Haiti. Filmed footage of the play will be screened along with interview of original Haitian actor Tommy Anderson. This Works Projects Administration (WPA) production took place at the Lafayette Theatre in Harlem. It opened on April 14 and ran until June 20, 1936.
Saturday – October 29, 3 p.m.
Location: Flores Banquet Hall, 240 N. Throop Street Woodstock
Professor Michael Anderegg, author of “Welles and Shakespeare,” will discuss Orson Welles’s work in Shakespeare in all three media of Radio, Theatre, and Cinema.
Saturday – October 29, 4 p.m.
Location: Old Courthouse Cultural Center / Gallery, 101 N. Johnson Street, Woodstock
Visit with Tashi Norbu, one of the official artists of the Dalai Lama.
Saturday – October 29, 7 p.m.
Location: Flores Banquet Hall, 240 N. Throop Street Woodstock
Halloween Masked Ball Party
Musical artist to be announced.
Exhibits throughout October
Location: The Old Court House Cultural Center, 101 N. Johnson Street, Woodstock
A poster exhibit of Orson Welles’s work in Shakespeare in the Cinema and Theatre
A poster exhibit of Orson Welles’ work in Shakespeare at Woodstock’s Todd School for Boys
Continuous loop screening of Orson Welles in a 1950s television production of “King Lear.”
Exhibit of paintings by Tashi Norbu, an official Thangka artist under the Dalai Lama at Dharamsala, India.
Sculpture of Orson Welles seated by Woodstock artist Bobby Joe Schribner
Politics and Orson Welles
Orson Welles and Shakespeare on Radio exhibit
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