Via Zoom: Jewell Wilson Bridges as Orson Welles in ‘Voodoo MacBeth’

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CHICAGO – One of the greatest challenges of any actor is the portrayal of a person in history that is familiar to most of the culture. Orson Welles is such a man, and Jewell Wilson Bridges took on his persona in the new film “Voodoo MacBeth.” He plays Welles as the “Boy Genius” stage director, age 21 in 1936.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

Before the radio notoriety of “War of the Worlds” and the film “Citizen Kane,” there was the stage rendering of “Voodoo MacBeth.” Produced by John Houseman (Daniel Kuhlman) for the Federal Theatre Project as part of a Depression-era “New Deal” government program, it featured an all-black cast in Harlem performing Shakespeare’s MacBeth, including leading Broadway actor Rose McClendon (Inger Tudor). Houseman turned to 21-year-old Orson Welles (Bridges) to bring the production to life, and as director he creates a radical version set in a fictional Caribbean island, using voodoo instead of witchery to drive the famous narrative.

The film is precise in its 1930s setting, and Bridges portrayal of Welles is a flurry of youth, energy and the residual tagalong doubt. In an era that would be completely foreign to our modern sensibilities, the definition of art is played out within a coming together of a “boy genius” and an ardent cast of black actors, eager to prove that they have what it takes to be the kings and queens of the theater world.

VMOrson
’Voodoo MacBeth,’ Featuring Jewell Wilson Bridges and Inger Tudor
Photo credit: Lightyear/USC Originals

Jewell Wilson Bridges makes his film debut, after doing stage work in national touring companies of “My Fair Lady” and “La Cage Aux Folles.”

In an interview via Zoom with Jewell Wilson Bridges by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, the actor talks of the challenge of bringing the legendary Orson Welles to life …

The trailer for “Voodoo MacBeth” …

”Voodoo MacBeth” has a limited release now in New York, Los Angeles and other theaters to follow. See local listings. Featuring Jewell Wilson Bridges, Inger Tudor, June Schreiner, Daniel Kuhlman, and Ashli Hayes. The film is a first time theatrical release by the University of Southern California (USC) Originals, and was assembled by eight writers and had ten directors. Not Rated.

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2022 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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