Tim Robbins Film to Close Sheboygan Film Festival
The Weekend Before He Takes the Stage in Kohler
Two organizations shine a light on the work of a very talented artist.
SHEBOYGAN, WI — September 22, 2025 — Organizers of the Sheboygan Film Festival (SFF) are excited to announce that the final film shown at the inaugural event will be Dead Man Walking, a 1995 film written and directed by Tim Robbins. The screening will take place on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 1:30 PM at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Sheboygan.
“Film and television lovers in Sheboygan County are already thinking about and enjoying Tim Robbins’ work, so it made sense for us to celebrate him as well,” said Beah Travis, Chair of the SFF Committee. “This film has aged very well, and many of the issues it addresses are even more relevant today. We’re very pleased to present this screening.”
Adapted from Sister Helen Prejean’s 1993 memoir, the film tells the story of Sister Helen (Susan Sarandon), who receives a request from a death row inmate (Sean Penn) asking for help with his appeal. In his 1996 review, Roger Ebert stated: “With this film, [Tim Robbins] leaps far beyond his earlier work and has made that rare thing, a film that is an exercise of philosophy. This is the kind of movie that spoils us for other films, because it reveals so starkly how most movies fall into conventional routine, and lull us with the reassurance that they will not look too hard, or probe too deeply, or make us think beyond the boundaries of what is comfortable.”
The following weekend, October 10 and 11, Robbins will be in Sheboygan County for a special production of his play Topsy Turvy as part of the Kohler Foundation’s 81st season of its Distinguished Guest Series. The play will be performed twice at the Kohler Memorial Theatre, 260 School St., Kohler, WI, with both events followed by a talk-back with Tim Robbins.
Topsy Turvy is a bold, genre-blending theatrical experience that fuses classical Greek tragedy with the irreverent spirit of vaudeville. Set in a world upended by a mysterious plague, a once-unified Greek Chorus is forced into isolation, prompting a surreal journey through divine intervention, existential reckoning, and absurdist spectacle. Featuring appearances by gods like Dionysus, Aphrodite, and Bacchus—alongside magicians, hypnotists, and a mischievous monkey—this musical explores the human need for connection in the face of chaos. With original music, live performance, and biting humor, Topsy Turvy is a cathartic response to the disconnection of the pandemic era.
“We’re very pleased to bring this special experience to our community,” said Angela Ramey, Executive Director of Kohler Foundation, Inc. “Our Distinguished Guest Series is known for bringing the world’s greatest artists, performers, and thought leaders to Sheboygan County.”
Topsy Turvy will be presented on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Tim’s time in Kohler will conclude with An Evening with Tim Robbins and Tonya Mosley, where guests will join NPR Fresh Air co-host Tonya Mosley for an in-depth interview with Academy Award Winner Tim Robbins on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets for the film festival are available at www.sheboyganfilmfest.com. Tickets for the play are available at kohlerfoundation.org or by calling 920-458-1972.
About The Sheboygan Film Festival
With its inaugural event scheduled to take place October 2-5th, the Sheboygan Film Festival (SFF) is an annual film festival organized by Belladonna Film Project, a 501(c)3 film production company focused on independent film in the Midwest. SFF, the Malibu of the Midwest’s very own film fest, is open to filmmakers worldwide but focuses primarily on bringing regional independent film projects, for audiences of all ages, to the public’s attention. A typical annual program will include dramatic and documentary features, short films, and children’s programming. The event offers daily filmmaker conversations, panel discussions, and other events that showcase filmmakers, their projects, and the city of Sheboygan. To learn more, visit www.sheboyganfilmfest.com.
About The Kohler Foundation
Kohler Foundation is a non-profit, private foundation that supports arts, education, and art preservation initiatives in Wisconsin. Learn more at https://www.kohlerfoundation.org/.
Contacts:
For Kohler Foundation Inc.
Angela Ramey, Executive Director
920-458-1972
For Sheboygan Film Festival
Rick Grant
570-497-1026
