Me and Orsen Welles Premiere

On Monday night the Paramount Theater on Congress Ave. opened its doors to the premiere of Richard Linklater’s “Me and Orsen Welles”.  Crammed together like sardines, the media and throngs of young girls waited around the red carpet for Linklater, Christian McKay , and Zac Efron to arrive at the premiere.

Linklater was soft-spoken, and humble.  He made his way through along the red carpet briskly, waiting by the door for the Efron and McKay.  This is his 15th movie premiere, and one of many he has premiered in Austin.  He mentioned that he walked 5 blocks from his home in Austin to get to the premiere.

Christian McKay charmed the pants off of the crowd.  He was making his big screen premiere, recreating his role as Orsen Welles seen only on Broadway in the past.  McKay threw up the Texas Longhorns symbol and asked why so many people were doing that around Austin.  He was excited about being involved in Linklater’s adaptation.

“I think I am the only actor who has been asked to lose weight to play Orsen Welles,” Mckay joked.

Efron spend a lot time at with the media at the beginning of the red carpet.  As he walked through the crowd, girls wept, screamed and screeched. I am not even sure they knew what movie was premiering, but they were certainly happy Efron had come to Austin. Efron was rushed inside so more screaming fans could see him before the movie premiered.

The red carpet was exciting, urgent and added even more life to Congress Ave.