Woodstock, Illinois designated a Preserve America Community
The city’s successful application highlighted the Woodstock Opera House.
‘Bright Lucifer’ – The Devil and Orson Welles (with video)
Eighty years ago in September 1934, Orson Welles began work on a new play “about the devil.”
World Socialist Web Site asks experts why Orson Welles remains a compelling figure
The full interviews can be found on the organization’s website.
Rogers Hall: Last reminder of the Todd School for Boys
Now, Rogers Hall is an apartment building.
Photos from the 80th anniversary celebration of the Todd Theatre Festival in Woodstock, Illinois
The 1934 Todd Theatre Festival was recalled in an 80th anniversary celebration in Woodstock, Illinois on May 16-17, 2014.
80th anniversary celebration of Orson Welles and Roger Hill’s Todd Theatre Festival underway in Woodstock, Illinois
Todd Tarbox, grandson of Roger Hill, opened the 80th anniversary of Orson Welles’ Todd Theatre Festival in Woodstock.
Todd School Coach Anthony Roskie and Orson Welles’ ‘The Stranger’
Our attention is focused on Woodstock, Illinois, with the 80th anniversary celebration of the 1934 Todd Theatre Festival set for this weekend. Welles’ spent much of childhood at the Todd School for Boys and his affection for the school, headmaster Roger Hill and Woodstock is well-documented. Asked once where he considered home, Welles replied, “I […]
Woodstock library to exhibit photos of Orson Welles at Todd School for Boys
Vintage photographs depicting “Life at Todd School for Boys” will be on display at the Woodstock Public Library from May 15 to June 1. Orson Welles attended the private boarding school in Illinois from 1926 to 1931. The library’s display will include photographs of Welles during his years at Todd School. The school opened in […]
Beatrice Welles interview – Part 2: Orson Welles early ‘autobiography’ found, art exhibit planned, ‘Othello’ on Blu-ray, and fate of ‘Chimes at Midnight’
By RAY KELLY Beatrice Welles’ decision to put more than 70 items belonging to her late father, Orson Welles, on the auction block later this month drew national attention when it was announced Monday. Most of the items were found in two trunks, which had been left unopened for nearly 50 years. She detailed the […]
Citizen Welles Society of Kenosha to mark centennial of Orson Welles’ birth in 2015
Updated on January 26: The Citizen Welles Society of Kenosha informs us it will hold its next meeting on March 6. The group is eyeing the possibility of a series of event, which would kick-off with the 100th anniversary of Orson Welles’ birth on May 6 and continue through October. _______ Residents of Orson Welles’ […]
Michael Dawson interview: Part 3 – Woodstock Celebrates and ‘Citizen Welles’
By MIKE TEAL “Othello” restoration producer Michael Dawson concludes his interview with Wellesnet with a discussion of the plans for a celebration in Woodstock, Illinois, for the 2015 centennial of Orson Welles’s birth, and also discusses his documentary “Citizen Welles.” What is Woodstock Celebrates? Woodstock Celebrates is a nonprofit organization formed to make better known […]
Kickstarter campaign launched for 80th anniversary celebration of Orson Welles’ Todd Theatre Festival in Woodstock. Illinois, May 16-17, 2014
Editor’s note: A Kickstarter campaign has been launched by the non-oprofit Woodstock Celebrates Inc. for a May 16-17, 2014 event celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Todd Theatre Festival. You can make donations and learn more at their Kickstarter page. By WOODSTOCK CELEBRATES INC. Orson Welles often stated that he owed his creative spirit to […]
Hollywood Reporter reviews ‘Orson Welles and Roger Hill’ and ‘My Lunches With Orson’
Kudos to Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter for his excellent review of two recent Orson Welles books: Todd Tarbox’s Orson Welles and Roger Hill: A Friendship in Three Acts and My Lunches with Orson: Conversations between Orson Welles and Henry Jaglom, edited by Peter Biskind. Hot the heels of Matthew Asprey Gear’s superb online […]
Book excerpt – ‘Orson Welles and Roger Hill: A Friendship in Three Acts’
Editor’s note: Todd Tarbox has generously agreed to share an excerpt from his acclaimed book “Orson Welles and Roger Hill: A Friendship in Three Acts” with Wellesnet.com readers. Written as a play, “Friendship” is based on recorded conversations between Welles and his mentor Hill, former headmaster at the Todd School for Boys in Woodstock, Illinois. […]
Young Orson Welles’ time in Madison, Wisconsin recalled
The Daily Page of Madison, Wisconsin, has taken a look back at the time a 10-year-old Orson Welles spent there in 1925. Using comments offered by a childhood acquaintance of Welles to the Madison Literary Club in 1991, The Daily Page paints a portrait of a gifted youngster with a penchant for storytelling. Welles’ summer […]
Orson Welles on his childhood: ‘My Father Wore Black Spats’ and ‘A Brief Career as a Musical Prodigy’
Editor’s note: With the interest in the Orson Welles’ celebrations planned in Woodstock, Illinois, in 2014 and 2015, as well as the recent publication of “Orson Welles and Roger Hill: A Friendship in Three Acts” by Todd Tarbox, Wellesnet is offering up a look at Welles childhood from the man himself. While he never penned […]
Todd Tarbox reflects on Orson Welles in Woodstock, Todd School for Boys
Todd Tarbox, author of “Orson Welles and Roger Hill: A Friendship in Three Acts,” (available through amazon.com) spoke at Read Between The Lynes in Woodstock, Illinois, on Saturday, July 27. He has been kind enough to allow Wellesnet to publish his remarks. By TODD TARBOX It’s always a joy returning to Woodstock where I spent […]
Todd Tarbox on ‘Orson Welles and Roger Hill: A Friendship in Three Acts’
By RAY KELLY Todd Tarbox, grandson of Orson Welles’ beloved mentor, Roger “Skipper” Hill, has recently published “Orson Welles and Roger Hill: A Friendship in Three Acts,” which recounts their life-long relationship in a series of candid and often moving conversations. Available online through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other major retailers, “Friendship” is essential reading for […]
Woodstock celebration of Orson Welles centenary expanded, new dates
Woodstock Celebrates Inc. has expanded its planned celebration of the 100th anniversary of Orson Welles’ birth from a two-day to a four-day event in 2015. The Illinois celebration will now take place a week earlier on May 6-9, 2015, which will coincide with Welles’ actual birthday of May 6. It also avoids a conflict with […]
Happy birthday Orson Welles
Today marks the 98th anniversary of the birth of the late Orson Welles. Please make today the day you support efforts to throw a fitting 100th birthday bash in Welles’ “hometown” of Woodstock, Illinois. The non-profit Woodstock Celebrates Inc. will mark the 80th anniversary next year of the 1934 Todd Theatre Festival at the historic […]