Orson Welles celebrations in Woodstock, Illinois
COMING SOON! Woodstock Celebrate's official website
For more information on the upcoming Woodstock celebrations, email wellesinwoodstock@gmail.com
Read about Orson Welles' life in Woodstock at the Welles in Woodstock archive
Learn more about area attractions at the McHenry County Convention & Visitor Bureau
Celebration plans are already coming together. Here is a tentative look at what Orson Welles fans can expect in Woodstock:
The 80th anniversary of the 1934 Todd Theatre Festival; Todd Press publication of “Everybody’s Shakespeare” by Welles and Roger Hill; and production of Welles’ first film “The Hearts of Age.”
• Lectures and panel – Jonathan Rosenbaum, Michael Dawson, Joseph McBride, Josh Karp, Jeff Wilson, Lawrence French, and James Naremore
• Screening of Orson Welles films
• Re-enactment of 1938 “The War of the Worlds” radio broadcast
• Period (Prohibition and Great Depression) cocktails, music, and dances
Centenary of Orson Welles’ birth in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1915
• Publication of third and last volume of Simon Callow’s biography
• Publication of Patrick McGilligan’s biography of the younger Welles
• Birthday party
• Lectures and panel – Michael Dawson, Catherine Benamou, and Richard France on Welles’ masterwork, “Chimes at Midnight,” which began at Todd School when he compiled and staged ”Winter of Our Discontent.”
• Screening of Orson Welles films
• Period (1915) cocktails, music, and dances
Wellesnet readers can help by becoming members of Woodstock Celebrates for $15 a year. Dues may be mailed to: Woodstock Celebrates Inc., P.O. Box 342, Woodstock IL 60098.
