Me and Orson Welles is a 1998 historical novel by American author Robert Kaplow, later adapted into a feature film released in 2009. The work is a coming‑of‑age story set in 1937 New York City, narrated by a teenage boy who becomes involved in a production of Julius Caesar directed by the young Orson Welles.
Overview
- Author: Robert Kaplow
- Country: United States
- Language: English
- Genre: Historical fiction, coming‑of‑age - Publisher: St. Martin's Press (first edition)
- Release date: 1998 (novel); 2009 (film)
- Media type: Print (hardcover, paperback); later released on DVD and streaming platforms (film)
Plot Summary
The novel is narrated by 13‑year‑old Richard Samuels (often called “Rich”), a student at a New York public school who becomes an extra in a production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar staged by the Mercury Theatre. The production, directed by the 22‑year‑old Orson Wills (a fictionalized spelling of Welles), is part of Welles’s ambitious plan to launch his career in the United States. Through his backstage experiences, Rich observes Welles’s unorthodox directing methods, his temperamental personality, and the tensions among cast and crew. The narrative blends Rich’s personal growth, his romantic interest in a classmate, and the broader cultural context of pre‑World War II America.
Development and Publication
Robert Kaplow wrote the novel while working as a high school teacher in New York. He drew upon documented historical details of Orson Welles’s early career, particularly the 1937 Mercury Theatre production of Julius Caesar, while creating a fictional protagonist to provide a youthful perspective. The book received favorable reviews for its vivid recreation of 1930s Manhattan and for its blend of factual and fictional elements.
Film Adaptation
- Director: Richard Linklater
- Screenplay: Richard Linklater (adapted from Kaplow’s novel)
- Principal cast: Zac Efron as Rich, Claire Danes as Joan (Rich’s love interest), Ben Whishaw as Orson Welles, and Christian McKay as producer John Houseman.
- Release: Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10 2009; limited theatrical release in the United States in November 2009.
- Reception: The film was generally well‑received by critics, who praised Whishaw’s performance as Welles and the period production design. It earned nominations for several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Historical Context
While the narrative’s central protagonist is fictional, the surrounding events—Orson Welles’s appointment as artistic director of the Mercury Theatre, the staging of Julius Caesar at the Mercury Theatre on the Air, and the involvement of producer John Houseman—are documented historical facts. The novel and film thus serve as cultural depictions of Welles’s early career and the broader American theatrical scene of the late 1930s.
Reception and Legacy
- Literary reception: Critics highlighted the novel’s effective use of a teenage narrator to explore the complexities of theatrical production and the charisma of Orson Welles.
- Cultural impact: The story has contributed to public interest in Welles’s formative years, complementing biographies that focus on his later, more widely known achievements (e.g., Citizen Kane, The War of the Worlds broadcast).
References
- Kaplow, Robert. Me and Orson Welles. St. Martin's Press, 1998. ISBN 978-0312130599.
- Linklater, Richard, director. Me and Orson Welles. Warner Bros., 2009.
- “Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023.
- “Me and Orson Welles (2009) – Film Review.” Rotten Tomatoes, accessed June 2026.
This entry provides a concise encyclopedic overview of the novel Me and Orson Welles and its film adaptation, reflecting verified information from published sources.