The Bend Theater will soon showcase 10 of the state’s most celebrated historic entertainers with the creation of the Wisconsin Entertainers Wall of Fame.
These entertainers will be showcased in lighted display boxes in the recent West Bend Walkway on the north exterior wall of The Bend, 125 N. Main St., according to a news release from The Bend Theater.
The Historic West Bend Theatre board, which oversees The Bend Theater, selected Orson Welles as its first entertainer.
The community will decide on the other nine through online voting.
Welles, a Kenosha native, was a radio host, actor and movie maker. His most notable work was in 1938 when he announced on his “War of the Worlds” Halloween radio show that a Martian invasion was taking place. According to the release, the broadcast was so realistic that many Americans believed him and panicked.
“The City of West Bend is proud to collaborate with The Bend to transform the covered walkway into a welcoming destination that highlights Wisconsin’s rich history of talented musicians, artists and entertainers,” West Bend Mayor Joel Ongert said in the release. “Congratulations to the dedicated team who made this vision a reality.”
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Why is The Bend Theater a good venue for the Wisconsin Entertainers Wall of Fame?
The Bend Theater has been a historical theater for decades.
It was built in 1929 as a vaudeville stage and became known as a “movie palace” in the 1930s, according to the release. It was an active theater until 2006 when it closed.
The HWBT revitalized the theater in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the $4.6 million project took three years before opening its full schedule.
The City of West Bend invested $270,000 to renovate the West Bend Walkway in 2023. The Walkway, at the front entrance of The Bend Theater, connects the city’s renovated Riverwalk with recently reconstructed Main Street and its shops, restaurants and bars.
“This nostalgic project ties in perfectly with the historic ambiance we have restored at The Bend,” Bill Buettner, the theater’s executive director, said in the release. “It also ties to the designation of our downtown as a historic district.”
Who are the top entertainers selected for voting?
The HWBT board selected the Wisconsin entertainers who will be voted on for the Wall of Fame:
Bunny Berigan, a jazz musician born in HilbertWoody Herman, a saxophonist, clarinetist, singer, and large band leader born in MilwaukeeSteve Miller, founding member of the Steve Miller band born in MilwaukeeGreg Koch, a guitarist born in WauwatosaThe Chordettes, an American vocal quartet that started in SheboyganThe BoDeans, a rock band formed in WaukeshaHildegarde, an American cabaret singer born in AdellLiberace, a pianist, singer and actor born in West AllisBon Iver, an Indie folk band founded in Eau ClaireOprah Winfrey, best known as a talk show host on The Oprah Winfrey ShowGene Wilder, an actor, comedian, writer and filmmaker born in MilwaukeePat O’Brien, a film actor born in MilwaukeeWillem Dafoe, an American actor born in AppletonChris Farley, a Saturday Night Live cast member, an actor and a comedian born in MadisonFredric March, an American actor, and University of Wisconsin alum, born in RacineLes Paul, a jazz and country guitarist born in WaukeshaGena Rowlands, an actress from CambriaFred MacMurray, an actor who moved to Madison when he was an infant and later to Beaver DamAgnes Moorehead, an actor who lived in Reedsburg Spencer Tracy, an actor born in MilwaukeeRachel Brosnahan, an actor born in MilwaukeeMark Ruffalo, an actor born in KenoshaHarrison Ford, an actor who attended Ripon CollegeAl Jarreau, a singer and songwriter born in MilwaukeeLunt and Fontaine, a married acting duo who retired in Genesee Depot Daryl Stuermer, a singer and songwriter born in MilwaukeeViolent Femmes, a folk punk band formed in MilwaukeeTom Petty and the Heartbreakers, regular headliners at Summerfest; band member Howie Epstein was also born in MilwaukeeGarbage, a rock band that formed in Madison
When and where does voting for the Wisconsin Entertainer Wall of Fame take place?
John Torinus, HWBT secretary, said online voting may begin in as early as two weeks. He said that everyone should monitor The Bend Theater Facebook page for updates and voting instructions at www.facebook.com/TheBendTheater.
When will the winners get their display at The Bend Theater?
The winners will be added to the wall designated for the Wall of Fame display one by one during the rest of this year.
How can I learn more about The Bend Theater?
For more information about The Bend Theater’s performances and its history, visit https://thebendwi.org.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or [email protected]. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy.
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