A February 2 stage reading of Too Much Johnson incorporating the long lost footage shot by Orson Welles in 1938 has sold out at the Film Forum in New York. A second performance has been added for February 5 at 7:30 p.m. – two days after the five-week Orson Welles 100 series was to have ended.
Tickets for the encore presentation are priced at $13 for members and $25 for the general public. Tickets are available online at filmforum.org/events
The event was organized by Bruce Goldstein, director of Repertory Programming at the Film Forum. William Hohauser is editing the Welles footage for the program. Allen Lewis Rickman is adapting and directing the play portion of the event, which will feature 10 actors.
Too Much Johnson, conceived by Welles as a mix of stage action and film never made it to the New York stage. A two-week tryout of Too Much Johnson commenced at the Stony Creek Theatre in Branford, Connecticut in August 1938. Technical problems forced Welles to abandon the silent film introduction and transitions with Joseph Cotten, Arlene Francis and other members of the Mercury Theatre.
The footage had been thought lost until it was discovered in an Italian warehouse in 2013.
The Film Forum’s Orson Welles 100 series began on New Year’s Day. Special guests have included film historian and Welles scholar Joseph McBride, director William Friedkin and Welles’ eldest daughter, Chris Welles Feder. Youngest daughter Beatrice Welles may take part in an upcoming screening via Skype.
A Film Forum worker confirmed reports from Wellesnet readers that attendance has been good for the series, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Welles’ birth.
Remaining showings include:
Jan. 26 – Chimes at Midnight (DCP restoration courtesy Filmoteca Española)
Jan. 27 – Prince of Foxes and The Black Rose (double feature)
Jan. 28 – It’s All True: Based on an Unfinished Film By Orson Welles
Jan. 28-29 – Mr. Arkadin and Orson Welles in Spain (double feature)
Jan. 29 – Touch of Evil (release version)
Jan. 30-31 – The Trial (new restoration)
Feb. 1 – Chimes at Midnight (DCP restoration courtesy Filmoteca Española)
Feb. 1-2 – Touch of Evil (reconstruction)
Feb. 2 – Too Much Johnson with a live reading of the play
Feb. 3 – A Man For All Seasons
Feb. 3 – Someone to Love
Feb. 5 – Too Much Johnson with a live reading of the play
The Film Forum is located in the West Village near Soho at 209 West Houston Street. Visit the Film Forum website for times, ticket prices.
_________
Post your comments on the Wellesnet Message Board.