Woodstock 2014 Welles Celebration

[Kathy Spaltro]

As you know, Woodstock, Illinois, is central to the story of Orson Welles. I tried, but failed, to save Grace Hall, the building where Welles lived, studied, and did creative work during his years at the Todd School for Boys. Now I am trying to organize an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the events of 1934 associated with Welles in Woodstock:

• the making of Welles's first film, The Hearts of Age
  the publication by Todd Press of Everybody's Shakespeare by Welles and Roger Hill, Todd School headmaster
  the Todd Theatre Festival orchestrated by Welles at the Woodstock Opera House

This 2014 event (which would benefit the Woodstock Opera House) would feature lectures and panel discussions about these activities by Welles in the Midwest and also in Ireland by Jonathan Rosenbaum, Joseph McBride, Lawrence French, and Michael Dawson.

I'm hoping we can pull an audience from outside Woodstock, not only Chicagoans but even Welles enthusiasts across the country. Interest in this as a Welles event would put "heads in beds" and thereby justify interest on the part of the local tourism bureau in promoting the event. In addition, Welles's centenary occurs in 2015. What better place than Woodstock to celebrate Welles's 100th birthday?

Do you think we can attract attendance from Chicago-area film societies and schools, as well as from outside Chicago? If I can point to evidence of such interest, that would support my case for local sponsorship of such events.

Thank you for your input.

[Le Chiffre]

Sounds like a great idea. Maybe they could do an 80th anniversary revival of TRILBY, the stage production at Woodstock with which Orson Welles made his professional debut as actor/director.

[Kathy Spaltro]

Thanks for the thought. I'll mention it to local theatre people. I hope my original post sparks some discussion among you all of attendance at such an event in 2014 in Woodstock (flying into Chicago or Milwaukee--Woodstock is halfway between these two cities) and also some exchange about a Welles centenary in 2015. What better place than Woodstock to celebrate Welles's 100th birthday?

[Glenn Anders]

Kathy: Welcome to Wellesnet! That photo which Mike contributed suggests the kind of genius Orson Welles was to become, as early as his public debut at Woodstock.

You certainly have contributed to his legacy.

Might I suggest that you also post some of your thoughts over at the other site (Larry French's Facebook Page), where they will be seen by people who don't come here.

Glenn

[Kathy Spaltro]

Hi, Glenn! Thanks for your kind words. I will do as you suggest and post on Facebook. Let's see if we can begin a discussion here and there of how to celebrate the Orson Welles centenary in Woodstock, Illinois, in 2015. In addition, it would help to know if any of you would be interested in our 2014 celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Todd Theatre Festival spearheaded by Welles at the Woodstock Opera House.

[Le Chiffre]

Good luck getting the Woodstock fest off the ground, Kathy. If you do, I hope you'll consider having some live theatre as part of it. I've seen several plays over the years at the Woodstock Opera House, including a fascinating one-man show on Orson Welles, and it's a real nice, intimate place to watch theatre.

[Kathy Spaltro]

I saw that one-man show on Welles at the Woodstock Opera House on Saturday, January 12, 1991. The production was called “A Visit with Mr. Welles,” written and performed by Ronnie Welsh. Welsh died in 1993.
http://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/07/arts/ ... actor.html

[Le Chiffre]

That was a real shame about Mr. Welsh. His was a very fine show and his Welles impersonation was excellent. I wonder if anyone ever captured it on film or at least video.

[Kathy Spaltro]

I don't know. I agree; no one should die so young.

I wanted to make a suggestion to anyone who is interested in organizing a Welles centenary in Woodstock in 2015. If some of you are able to come to Woodstock for the 80th anniversary of the 1934 Todd Theatre Festival at the Woodstock Opera House in 2014 (assuming that we are able to pull this event off), at that time you can make local contacts (such as with us, but also with the county tourism bureau, Opera House staff, etc.) and also work with one another in person to assess if a 100th birthday party in Woodstock is feasible and what would be needed to pull it off.

[RayKelly]

The Woodstock Opera House stage will be dedicated in honor of Orson Welles on February 10.
Read about the dedication at http://www.wellesnet.com/?p=3688

[tonyw]

Kathy, Woodstock sounds a great idea for the centenary. So does the event for 2014. We can all attempt to get together and meet each other then.

[Kathy Spaltro]

Yes, I hope Welles enthusiasts will come to Woodstock for the May 2014 events commemorating the 8oth anniversary of the Todd Theatre Festival at the Woodstock Opera House that Welles masterminded. Those of you who come can talk to us about our plans to return a year later to the theme of Welles in Woodstock, in May 2015, by celebrating the centenary there. We already have speakers for both 2014 and 2015. But that birthday party could certainly include events of your own inspiration and invention. Remember, too, that Woodstock is halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee. So other attractions are within reasonable driving distance or accessible by commuter rail. [Woodstock is on a line that ends in the Loop.] One activity might be to organize a trip to Welles's birthplace in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

[RayKelly]

Coverage of the stage dedication can be found at http://www.wellesnet.com/?p=4677

[tonyw]

This sounds a great idea for us to meet each other finally. I hope the immortal Glenn can make it.

[RayKelly]

Tonyw,
I may make the 1,000 mile trek for just that reason. Larry French is slated to take part in a panel and Mike Teal lives within driving distance. I would like to know how much real interest there is in a formal get-together in Woodstock in 2015?
No obligation, just a head count of sorts. Please email contactwellesnet@gmail.com

Here is the link to the tentative schedule for 2014 and 2015: http://www.wellesnet.com/?p=4904