Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

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Our interview with the great Philadelphia actress Mary Martello. Join us as she shares the fascinating story of her life and her career.

To see photos and images of Mary some of the many roles she had performed over her career, see this blog post on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/mary-martello-is-always-right-here/

You can find an even more extensive archive of photos from Mary's life and career on her own professional website, HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

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℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A newly-revised and improved edition of our examination of the final two decades that Edwin Forrest spent in Philadelphia - and his lasting legacy in the city.

For photographs and additional commentary about this topic, see our website's blog post!
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/Episode-15-See-The-Players-Well-Bestowed/

Note: There is not much here about Edwin Forrest and the Astor Place Riots, which (as I always point out) took place in New York, not Philadelphia. I think Forrest actually had little to do with causing them. For a fuller examination, see Nigel Cliff's book, The Shakespeare Riots.

I also highly recommend this episode by New York history podcasters The Bowery Boys!
https://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2019/05/the-astor-place-riot-massacre-at-busy.html

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

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℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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During the Great Depression years of the 1930s, some touring Broadway shows got into trouble in Philadelphia.

"The People's Mayor" S. Davis Wilson had his limits when it came to what he would allow in the city's theaters, and plays such as Tobacco Road, New Faces of 1936, and Langston Hughes' Mulatto came under official scrutiny.

For more background information and images about this episode, go to our website:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-peoples-mayor/

For another story about S. Davis Wilson and the musical he censored called "Orchids Preferred" read all about it on our Patreon page! The link is HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A Summertime Treat! We bring out again one of our most popular and beloved episodes of the podcast . . . the story of how Philadelphia saved the pre-Broadway tryout run of the most New York shows ever!

For a blog post on our website with additional information and images, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/luck-be-a-lady

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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In honor of the 250th anniversary of American Independence, we bring back this episode about Philadelphia theater during the Bicentennial year!

A blog post with images and more information about the stories we talk about in the episode can be found on our website! https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/bicentennial-blues/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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We interview director Lane Savadove about his lifelong journey that has taken EgoPo Classic Theater around the world - and back again.

Visit EgoPo's own website here: https://egopo.org/

A great article about the production of The Ramayana that we discuss in the episode can be found at the Broad Street Review, HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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In this special episode, we explore the theatrical history of the great Centennial Exposition – one of the biggest entertainment events ever mounted in Philadelphia.

Our guests today are historian John Henry Hepp IV and the blogger and culture history maven TravSD!

A blog post, with many of the images and buildings we talk about during the show, is HERE.

Here is a link to Professor Hepp's book, Mystery and Marvel, Philadelphia's 1876 Exhibition.

And here's how to find a copy of TravSD's history of vaudeville: No Applause—Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A modern walking tour along a noisy street - with the narrative of a long-forgotten theater district of Philadelphia's near north side!

For a blog post with images and photos of the theaters and streets we discuss in the episode, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/photos-and-images-for-the-ghost-theaters-of-callowhill-street---episode-124/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Back-to-back interviews about the past - and the future - of the Lantern Theater. Peter talks with Stacy Maria Dutton and Charles McMahon.

For a blog post with images relating to this episode go here: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/down-st-stephens-alley/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A conversation with Grace Gonglewski, who has been performing and creating in Philadelphia theaters for the last four decades! She shares with us her memories of her life and work.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Three tales from the deep annals of Philadelphia opera history . . . . from a fantastical account of a performance of Guy Mannering in the 1840s, to the world premiere of Victor Herbert's Natoma in 1911, to a final Gotterdammerung at the Academy of Music in 1948.

To view images and additional details about all the stories in this episode - go to this blog post on our Patreon page! https://www.patreon.com/posts/121123422

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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In the Spring of 1978, "The Troc" - Philadelphia's longtime notorious burlesque house on Arch Street - closed for business.

The journalist Edgar Williams composed this poetic farewell to the site of so many vivid, poignant, and hilarious episodes from his youth.

A good photo essay about the history of The Troc can be found in this online article by writer Thom Carroll in the Philly Voice: https://www.phillyvoice.com/photos-100-years-trocadero-theatre/

It is our podcast's 5th Birthday! So we are releasing a special treat for our listeners - a treasure taken from our vault of Bonus Episodes of our Patreon page.

Please consider becoming a supporter of our show on Patreon! The link is here:
https://www.patreon.com/c/AITHpodcast

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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It might seem to be a lurid Hollywood tale . . . but is it really a Philadelphia theater story?

Here's our take on the life and times of the actress Diana Barrymore, eldest daughter of John Barrymore - from her privileged beginnings, through her successes on stage, her failures in filmdom . . to her sad and sordid end.

But is she really just another celebrity cautionary tale? There's more to her story than got told in the tabloids.

As you listen, for a selection of photos of Diana, and other fascinating images about the events we discuss in this episode, GO HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Herbert J. Biberman, the screenwriter, director and left-wing activist, was once one of the most well-known men in show biz - but not, unfortunately for his talent or his intellect.

In 1950, he became famous for being one of the "Hollywood Ten," a group of men known for their opposition to politically-motivated industry blacklists - and facing prison for refusing to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee.

But Biberman's Philadelphia origin story is almost completely unknown - because he wanted it that way. We investigate that story in this episode, and uncover much that had been hidden or unexamined - until now

For photos and images of Biberman, as well as many of the other people and plays we mention in this episode, go to our photo essay on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/images-for-he-of-119082063

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The rise of the Arden Theatre Company - as well as the story of the beginnings of the modern Walnut Street Theatre Company and the Lantern Theater Company.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The story of Albert Innaurato and his play "Gemini." Set in South Philadelphia in the 1970s, it was to become the biggest commercial and artistic triumph of his career.

The famous TV commercial for the original Broadway production is on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz8p6-LconE

But Gemini also served as a constant reminder that success can fleeting, and that an artist's personal demons can undermine their long-term reputation.

We interview Charles Gilbert about his professional association and personal friendship with Innaurato, as they tried to turn Gemini into a work of musical theater in the early 2000s.

Charles Gilbert's posts on Substack, which form the basis of our conversation, can be found here:

https://chasgilbert.substack.com/p/me-and-albert-a-collaborators-story

https://chasgilbert.substack.com/p/me-and-albert-part-2

For information about EgoPo Theatre Co. and their upcoming production of Gemini: https://egopo.org/gemini

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The director Abigail Adams and the actress Marcia Saunders talk to us about their lives and careers, and about how their theatrical and artistic home at People's Light in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

To learn more about the production of Steel Magnolias at People's Light: https://www.peopleslight.org/whats-on/20252026-season/steel-magnolias/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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As a Holiday, treat, the Philadelphia actor Brian Wilson talks with us about his life and career.

Brian tells us about his memories - everything from his roles on "The Wire," to his work with the director Walter Dallas, to his quest to perform in all the plays of August Wilson (no relation!). And he shares this thoughts about the state of African-American theater in the Quaker City at the beginning of the 21st Century.

For a blog page with photos and additional info go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/king-brian-the-first/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A conversation with Chris Lippa about the life and work of his father, the late Louis Lippa, the Philadelphia playwright and actor - and about Chris' vision to make a real home for the history of theater in the city.

For a tribute to the life and work of Louis Lippa (1928-2018), see this page on the website of People's Light and Theatre Company, where he was a playwright-in-residence for 30 years: https://www.peopleslight.org/about/in-memoriam-louis-lippa-1928-2018/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A reprise of our 2023 interview with Bernard Havard of the Walnut Street Theatre - including a tour of the historic building.

Newly remixed, and with a new introduction and extra content about our upcoming episodes of the podcast!

A blog post with images from our visit to the Walnut can be found on our website:

https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/photos-for-the-walls-of-walnut-street/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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We talk with Bruce Graham - a son of Ridley Township in Delaware County who has been writing, teaching, and performing in Philadelphia since the 1980s.

Graham has written dozens of plays which have been produced everywhere from Los Angeles to London, as well as turning out scripts for Hollywood films, TV movies, sitcoms and soap operas - but he always returned to his hometown, and where his plays have been regularly staged by local theater companies, and appreciated by local audiences.

In fact, for many years Graham was regularly described by local arts reporters as "Philadelphia's Favorite Playwright."

There is a blog post on our website with more information and images: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/philadelphias-favorite-playwright/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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An interview with writer, director, translator and theater critic Carol Rocamora, who founded the Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays in 1981, and was its Artistic Director to 1994.

Philadelphia-area playwright Michael Hollinger was Rocamora's literary manager in the early 1990s, and credits his time working with Carol at PFT for helping to shape his future career.

A blog post on our website, with additional information and images, is here: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/philadelphia-festival-theatre-blog-post/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A conversation with Seth Rozin, the founder and artistic director of InterAct Theatre of Philadelphia.

Seth shares some great stories about the early years of the company, including the tour of Ireland in the autumn of 1988, the creation and performance of the play "6221," and how he has made a career in the world of non-profit American theater.

InterAct Theatres website: https://www.interacttheatre.org/

For a blog post about the history of InterAct, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/interact-of-philadelphia-new-plays-about-big-ideas/

(Photo of Seth Rozin by Clem Murphy)

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A conversation with actor Tom Teti about his life, his career in Philadelphia theater, and his long association with People's Light and Theatre Company in Malvern.

For a blog post with images and additional information about Tom's career, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/tom-as-in-teti/

For more information about the October 2025 production of Tommy and Me at PLTC, go HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Director Blanka Zizka and stage manager Patreshettarlini Adams talk about their decades of work at the Wilma Theater, sharing stories of their longstanding artistic collaboration and deep friendship. And they agree that "Theater is Music."

An excellent and heartwarming Adventure in Philadelphia Theater History!

Music from historic Wilma Theater productions sampled in this episode includes:

1) Selections from Eurydice/Toby Twining ℗ 2011 Cantaloupe Music. The full album can be found on YouTube: HERE

2) Selections from the score to The Invention of Love, by Adam Wernick. For more of Adam's music, go to his website: https://www.adamwernick.com/

Additional music provided by Epidemic Sound for this episode: "The Dandelion" by Hanna Ekstrom and "Copper Nails for Sailing" by Luba Hilman. https://www.epidemicsound.com/

All other music by Christopher Mark Colucci.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The history of Philadelphia's Wilma Theater during the 1990s, with archival recordings of the voices of Jiri and Blanka Zizka.

For images and additional information about this episode, see the blog post on our website HERE.

The original interviews of Jiri Zizka can be found on YouTube - HERE and HERE.

The original interview of Blanka Zizka can also be found on YouTube - HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The voices of Jiri and Blanka Zizka help to narrate the history of Philadelphia's Wilma Theater during the 1980s.

For images and additional information about this episode, see the blog post on our website HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A conversation about the impact that Blanka and Jiri Zizka had on the Philadelphia theater scene in the 1980s and 90s.

If you have not yet listened to our Episode 97, "Off-Off Broad Street," in which we discuss the history of "The Wilma Project" during the 1970s, you can find it here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1721762/episodes/16873817

This is one of a multi-part series on the origin and history of and the Wilma Theater. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Marcia Ferguson of the University of Pennsylvania, who published a book in 2008 entitled Blanka and Jiri Zizka at the Wilma Theater, 1979-2000: From the Underground to the Avenue. You can find it here: https://a.co/d/f8xC7rC

To learn more about Marcia Ferguson and her work, go to her own professional website: https://www.marcialferguson.com/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Charlie Gilbert returns to talk about the music theater and the many new musicals being created and developed in Philadelphia during the 1980s and 90s.

We discuss the founding and early years of the American Music Theatre Festival, musicals performed at the Walnut and Arden Theatres, and the beginning of the Musical Theater Program at the University of the Arts - as theatrical and musical activity up and down Broad Street flourishes.

To learn more about Charlie Gilbert and his work, visit his website: https://chasgilbert.com/ - there's a great blog post there, by the way about his role in the creation of the Sondheim/Wideman musical Assassins.

And here is where you can learn about MusicCoLab, an exciting new organization dedicated to developing new works of musical theater in the Philadelphia area: https://musicolab.org/

A blog post on our own webpage, about the 1985 production of The Gospel at Colonus in Philadelphia, is HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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An interview with actor Johnnie Hobbs and choreographer Patricia Scott Hobbs about the Freedom Theatre in North Philadelphia.

In an archival recording, the Philadelphia composer and teacher Charles Gilbert talks to his longtime friends about their experiences at the Freedom, including working with founder John E. Allen and his successor Walter Dallas.

Though this is not a comprehensive narrative, we are pleased to begin sharing the story of this important cultural institution, which changed so many people's lives in the Philadelphia African American community.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Director and Producer Joe Canuso sits down with us to talk about his life and career in Philly theater.

From acting at the Pocket Playhouse in the 70s, performing with dance troupes in the 80s, creating cutting-edge shows for the new Fringe Festival in the 90s, founding and leading Theatre Exile in the 2000s, Joe did brought a darkly comic edge and a driving energy to the Philly theater scene.

Along with the playwright Bruce Graham, Joe helped to bring to life the play "The Philly Fan." In this interview, Joe talks about the star of that one-man show, his friend and colleague, the late great Tom McCarthy.

For a selection of images and photos from Joe Canuso's career, and many of the plays and production we discuss in this conversation, go to the blog post on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/killer-joe-canuso---images-for-episode-101/

For the complete performance 2001 by Jillene Ringle with the Big Mess Orchestra at the Trocadero Theatre, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGvjcWt4YBY

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A conversation with one of the longest-serving and most consequential artistic directors and producers of the modern era of Philadelphia theater history, Sara Garonzik.

As we continue our Season Four, we learn about her early years - first as and actor, then as a director, then as a producer at the Philadelphia Theatre Company. And we learn her stories about how she took PTC from a 25-year-long home at the Plays and Players Theatre to the new Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Broad Street.

Plus, we learn about how she committed the theater to presenting consequential modern American playwrights such as Terrence McNally, David Ives and August Wilson, and worked with so many amazing directors, composers and performing artists of the American theater - everyone from Richard Thomas to Billy Porter to Bill Irwin to Kathleen Turner.

A blog post on our website, with photos of Sara Garonzik and the opening of the Suzanne Robert Theatre in 2007 on Broad Street is here: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/images-for-episode-100-the-suzanne-roberts-theatre-grand-opening-2007/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Our interview with teacher, writer and director Robert Hedley - the former Chair of the Theater Departments of both Villanova and Temple Universities.

In our conversation, we discuss many things - including his early years, his coming to Villanova, his work with playwright David Rabe and producer Joseph Papp, and his work in helping to found The Philadelphia Company (the precursor to the Philadelphia Theater Company).

For a full bio of Bob's work, go HERE.

(Cover image for this episode is 1976 photo of Robert Hedley directing the actors Carla Belver and John Yinger - during rehearsals in the early years of the Philadelphia Company. Image from the Temple University Special Collections Research Center, George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Collection.)

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Cato: A Tragedy was a famous 18th Century play by Joseph Addison - supposedly the favorite play of George Washington himself! What connection did it have to the history of America - and the theater history of Philadelphia?

This is an edited audio recording of a panel discussion at the Museum of the Revolution in Philadelphia, recorded on April 9th, 2025.

A video of the entire event can be found at the MOAR website, HERE.

For photographs from the event on our own AITH website, go HERE.

For tickets to see CATO (Remixed) at Carpenters Hall) from May 1 to May 18, 2025, go HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The story of three small ambitious cutting-edge Philadelphia theater companies of the 1970s. Why did some survive - and some falter?

For a blog post with images of the productions and people we discuss in the episode, go HERE.

(Cover photo for the episode shows the actor Daniel Oreskes in The Servant of Two Masters, which was being presented by The Repertory Company in West Philadelphia's Clark Park during the summer of 1975.He is having his costume arranged by an unidentified female member of the company. Photo taken by Salvatore C. DiMarco, Jr. for the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. Courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries)

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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An interview with Joe Stinson and Ed Sabato about Philadelphia theatrical projects that employed so many local actors before and during the Bicentennial Year of 1976.

In the very place where the American experiment began, regular work in "historical re-enactment" and patriotic storytelling gave young and ambitious Philadelphia theater artists a boost in their careers.

This episode also provides a coda for the saga of the Manning Street Theatre Company - a story that's at the climax of our book Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia.

For a blog post with images and additional information about this episode: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/bicentennial-blues/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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An interview with the director, writer and artist Tom Bissinger, in which we talk about his work in the 1960s and 70s, including his all-too-brief term as the final Artistic Director of the Theatre of the Living Arts in Philadelphia.

A native of San Francisco, Tom's fascinating life story is interwoven with so many iconic names from the 60s and 70s, including working in Philadelphia with the actors Dick Shawn, Judd Hirsch, Morgan Freeman and Danny DeVito!

Tom's 2013 memoir, The Fun House: Memory, Magic & Mayhem, is available from XLibris, and can be found HERE.

For a fun BLOG POST on our website, with more info and images from this time in Philly theater, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/scuba-duba-la-turista-and-the-recruiting-officer-at-the-tla/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A recut and remixed and refocused version of an interview with the director Mary B. Robinson, about her years she spent in the 1990s as the Artistic Director of the Drama Guild. (Stay tuned at the very end for an brief announcement about the future direction of the podcast - and my thoughts about current events)

A short blog post on our website has additional information and images about Mary and some of the productions she staged during her years at the Drama Guild: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/photos-of-mary-robinson-and-the-drama-guild/

To find Mary Robinson's recent book about Zelda Fichander (in which, among many others, I am interviewed), go HERE

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Gregory Poggi successfully led the Philadelphia Drama Guild throughout the decade of the 1980s. He talked with us about his memories of those days - tussles with board members, battles with critics, fundraising triumphs and the growing audience support for professional nonprofit theater companies in the city.

For a blog post on our website with additional images and information, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/images-for-episode-93-gregory-poggi/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The sudden success of the Drama Guild - a former amateur theater group transformed into a professional local powerhouse - finally fulfills the promise of giving Philadelphia a flagship nonprofit theater company.

For a brief blog post with images from the episode, go HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A reprise of one of our early episodes from Season One, in which we travel back 225 years to a single fascinating day in American theater: January 1, 1800.

Philadelphia's premiere theater company rang in the New Year with their production of the spectacular Romance entitled "Blue Beard, or Female Curiosity." Meanwhile, in the audience, there are other dramatic events were taking place! Join us on this adventure in early American life, on the cusp of the 19th Century.

To see a full blog entry about this episode, including more illustrations, explanations, and a selected bibliography of source material, go to /blog/episode-8-new-years-day-at-the-new-theatre-1800/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Three new Philadelphia theater complexes are built for the mid-century modern era - funded by wealthy philanthropists. The Annenbergs would donate grand new Modernist-style Arts Centers at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania, and the Haas family would spearhead the drive to renovate the old Walnut Street Theatre.

For a blog post with photos of all three theaters and other events described in the episode, go to our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/mid-century-modern/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A re-edited, reduced and remixed account of the entire history of the Theatre of the Living Arts – the first major professional theater company in Philadelphia's modern era.

Photo of the company of The Line of Least Existence was taken by Bill Watkins.

Links to blog posts on our podcast's webpage, with other images and information about our sources, can be found here, here and here.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Our first episode of Season Four - introducing our plans and hopes for the upcoming year on the podcast.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Like the ghost of Hamlet's father, the body of John Barrymore would not stay still . . . one dark night it suddenly appeared in his hometown.

A story about the wandering remains of a member of Philadelphia's most famous acting family, taken from Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love, a book by Thomas H. Keels.

This episode was originally released as our Episode 34 in July of 2022.

Please visit Tom's website, www.thomaskeels.com, for more information on his other books and upcoming talks and lectures.

For blog post with images and more thoughts about this topic, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/alas-poor-yorick/

To find out more about Mount Vernon Cemetery in North Philadelphia:
https://www.mountvernoncemetery.org/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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An encore presentation of Peter's reading of the chapter "Oh, It's a Lovely War: The Mischianza 1778" from Thomas H. Keels' Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love.

Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love by Thomas Keels, is available on Amazon.com. Please visit Tom's website, www.thomaskeels.com, for more information on his other books and upcoming talks and lectures.

For blog post with images and more thoughts about this topic, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-pageant-that-shook-walnut-grove/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A re-released and edited version of our Episode 36!

In this show we interview theater historian Barry Witham about his 2013 book A Sustainable Theatre: Jasper Deeter at the Hedgerow, and then bring listeners along on a guided tour of Hedgerow Theatre campus in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania.

Check out this blog post with historical images of Jasper Deeter, plus photos from our visit to the Hedgerow in August 2022, on our website!
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/photos-of-the-hedgerow/

More historic images can be found on the Hedgerow Theatre's website: https://www.hedgerowtheatre.org/history

Support the show

**"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK is coming soon! It will only be in USA bookstores after November 30, 2024. But you can secure your copy NOW!

TO PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON: GO HERE TO ORDER ON BROOKLINE BOOKS WEBSITE: GO HERE (Use the code 25PESC to save 25% at checkout!)**

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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An Exciting Announcement!

Support the show

**"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK is coming soon! It will only be in USA bookstores after November 30, 2024. But you can secure your copy NOW!

TO PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON: GO HERE TO ORDER ON BROOKLINE BOOKS WEBSITE: GO HERE (Use the code 25PESC to save 25% at checkout!)**

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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This Encore episode of the podcast - first released as Episode 35 in our Season One - goes on a journey to the Paul Robeson House and Museum in Philadelphia.

Included is an interview with Janice Sykes-Ross of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and a recording of a live tour of the Paul Robeson House with docent Terry Fimiano Guerin.

For a blog post on our website with additional information, images, and links, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-house-i-live-in/

The website for the Paul Robeson House and Museum, where you can learn more about its history and the story of Paul Robeson, and how to arrange your own tour, is here.

A beautiful video on YouTube, that we mention in the episode, tells the story of Paul Robeson, the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and its founder Frances P. Aulston, and the house where he spent the last 10 years of his life. It was created in conjunction with Scribe Video Center's "Precious Places Community History Project" in Philadelphia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9TDPvXHeeY

The WCPA is a 501c3 non-profit organization, information about how to make donations to their important work can be found here.

Support the Show.

Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

**"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK is coming soon! It will only be in USA bookstores after November 30, 2024. But you can secure your copy NOW!

TO PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON: GO HERE TO ORDER ON BROOKLINE BOOKS WEBSITE: GO HERE (Use the code 25PESC to save 25% at checkout!)
If you enjoyed this podcast, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, just click right HERE**:

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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In which we close out the Tryout Town story of Philadelphia theater - and we share a chapter of Peter's upcoming book!

The book is not available as yet, but check out the website of our publisher, Brookline Books, for updates about it! https://www.brooklinebooks.com/

Additional music for the episode by Christopher Colucci:
https://soundcloud.com/cmsound

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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In the 1970s, director Vinnette Carroll brought her gospel-themed musicals about African American culture through Philadelphia on their way to Broadway. We discuss this much-neglected important Black theater artist, in a conversation with Jerrell Henderson.

There is a blog post, filled with lots of amazing images and additional information about this topics we discuss in the episode! It can be found on our website:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/vinnette-carroll-and-philadelphia/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The continuation of to the story from our previous episode, we talk about the failures, successes - and sometimes the deaths of shows and performers of commercial tryout shows in Philly of the 1970s.

For images and notes about shows mentioned in this episode, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/death-and-all-that-jazz-notes-and-images-for-episode-80/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Many tryout shows - along with some post-Broadway tours - came through Philadelphia during the 1960s. Some shows died in Philly - and some performers and audience members did too!

For images and notes about shows mentioned in this episode, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/life-is-what-you-do-while-youre-waiting-to-die-notes-and-images-for-episode-79/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
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If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The Philadelphia story of the development and world premiere of that famous Iowa musical, by Meredith Willson, The Music Man .

For a blog post with additional information and images, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/out-of-town-jaspers-notes-and-images-for-episode-78/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The fates and fortunes of commercial shows of the 1950s demonstrate how deep the influence of Hollywood was in American commercial theater coming through Philadelphia on tryout runs.

For a blog post with additional information and images, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/hooray-for-hollywood-notes-and-images-for-episode-77/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The most iconic New York musical ever is saved by Philadelphia tryout audiences.

For a blog post on our website with additional information and images, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/luck-be-a-lady/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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Send us a Text Message.

Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.

Support the Show.

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Post-war theater in Philadelphia reflected all the many serious issues the country was facing: Carmen Jones, A Streetcar Named Desire, Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Member of the Wedding and Death of a Salesman all had tryout premieres in Philadelphia - among many others.

For a blog post on our website with additional information and images, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/this-train-is-a-goin-home-train/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The story of Cole Porter's classic musical Kiss Me, Kate's world premier opening in Philadelphia in December of 1948.

For a blog post on our website, with images from the productions we discuss in the episode:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/rings-and-things-and-fine-array/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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"Pal Joey," "Native Son," "Annie Get Your Gun" - during the years of the Second World War, there was a new surge of exciting Broadway productions trying out in Philadelphia.

But at the same time, the Shuberts' domination of the Philadelphia theater market was meeting increasing scrutiny.

For a blog post on our website, with images from the productions we discuss in the episode:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/quaker-city-theater-in-the-war-years/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A reissue of our conversation with scholar Jonathan Shandell and director Jerrell Henderson, about a little-known chapter of Philadelphia's theater history.

For a blog post on our website, with images from the productions we discuss in the episode:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/jericho-one-third-of-a-nation-and-prelude-to-swing/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Philadelphia enters the Great Depression. Although a few shows were still having their Broadway tryouts in Philly, it wasn't enough to keep the wrecking crews from tearing down many of the city's grand old theaters.

To see images and to find more information about this episode, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-wrecking-ball/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The fictional musical "Pretty Lady" has its opening night in Philadelphia!

Another dramatic reading from the archives of Philadelphia theater history, underscored with evocative musical accompaniment.

If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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A story of an "All Star Cast" touring production in 1927. After the unexpected death of its star, the veteran actor John Drew Jr., company member Peggy Wood wrote this detailed memoir of his final tour.

A dramatic reading from the archives of Philadelphia theater history, underscored with evocative musical accompaniment.

For images of John Drew and Peggy Wood, see our blog: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/all-star-cast-trelawny-of-the-wells-episode-69/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Broadway tryouts and tours and revues were constantly coming to Philadelphia's many large and luxurious theaters during the 1920s - here's a quick review of the revues!

Even the Moscow Art Theatre came through town - as well as great productions of Eugene O'Neill plays.

Philly was a real Tryout Town, with such great venues as the Erlanger, the Garrick, the Earle, the Shubert, and the Forrest, as well as the revamped and re-designed Chestnut Street Opera House and the the Walnut Street Theatre.

For a blog post with images and additional content, go to our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/its-show-time/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The story of the Shubert Brothers, and how they began to take control over almost every commercial theater in Philadelphia - just like they did in cities all across
America.

For a blog post with images of the stories and topics we discuss in this episode, go to our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-shuberts-and-their-philadelphia-theaters/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The "Little Theater Movement" arrives in Philadelphia, bringing modern plays and surprising new venues - including the Walnut Street Theatre, where The Green Goddess was given a World Premiere tryout run in December of 1920.

For a blog post with images of the stories and topics we discuss in this episode, go to our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/green-goddess-dressing-notes-to-episode-66/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Our annual Holiday episode! Featured are stories about the tightrope sensation El Nino Eddie, "Hitchy-Koo; the Intimate Revue," The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Timbuktu!, Signor Blitz during the American Civil War, and many other tales about Philadelphia theater history.

For a blog post with images of the stories and topics we discuss in this episode, go to our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/hitchy-koo-and-happy-new-year/

If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Stories of seven notable vaudevillians who came from Philadelphia, including W.C. Fields, Ethel Barrymore, and Ethel Waters. (We also briefly profile Ed Wynn, Larry Fine, Walter C. Kelly, and the woman known as "Sober Sue.")

Was Philadelphia "The Cradle of Vaudeville" in the same way it was The Cradle of the Nation? After listening to the show, let us know what you think! Write to us at: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

On our website, there's a blog post with a Bibliography of the sources for this episode, plus lots of images of the many Philly vaudeville theaters we discuss on it - "Two Ethels, a Juggler, a Judge, a Stooge and a Perfect Fool": https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/two-ethels-a-juggler-a-judge-a-stooge-and-a-perfect-fool/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Philadelphia, like all American cities of the day, was home to the exciting energy and show-biz hustle of vaudeville theaters in the first decades of the 20th Century.

On our website, there's a blog post with a Bibliography of the sources for are show, plus lots of images of the Philly vaudeville theaters we talk about on this episode - "The Exciting New Vaudeville Theaters of Sleepy Old Philadelphia":
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-exciting-new-vaudeville-theaters-of-sleepy-old-philadelphia/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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In the fall of 1915, D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation was booked to play at the Forrest Theatre - a "legitimate house," not a movie theater - but would Philadelphia's city authorities allow it to be shown?

After all, the film's racist source material, Thomas Dixon's play The Clansman, had been officially banned in the city back in 1906. But was this a "movie" or a "photo-play"? Could it be legally censored at all? How did this controversy result in plays and movies being regarded as two different types of entertainment?

There is a blog post on our website ("Birth of A Nation in the Birthplace of the Nation") to accompany this episode, which examines a 1915 newspaper ad for the film, and how the film was marketed to Philadelphians at the time.
Link is here: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/birth-of-a-nation-in-the-birthplace-of-the-nation/

For earlier episodes about Thomas Dixon and his play The Clansman - and how the Philadelphia African-American community organized against it in 1906 see our series "The Fight Against the Clansman" - Episodes 42, 43, and 45.

If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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We begin our third season of adventures! Here we learn about the historical originas of the "Tryout Town" in American showbiz of the early 20th Century.

We discuss the movie 42nd Street and discuss many touring shows that came through Philly on their way to and from Broadway - including George M. Cohan's Little Johnny Jones, which introduced the song "Give My Regards To Broadway" at the Walnut Street Theatre in 1904.

But we also learn that the real place that Philadelphians needed to travel, in order to catch tryout shows, was not the theaters of Broad Street but along the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey while they took their summer vacations!

A blog post about the excursions and theaters in Atlantic City can be found on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/but-i-dont-want-to-go-to-philadelphia-theaters-of-atlantic-city/

For a free online viewing of the film 42nd Street - including the scene we reference in the podcast which comes about 40 minutes in, go to this version on the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/42ndstreet1933_201908/42nd_Street_1080.mp4

If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Actress, director and educator Penelope Reed sits down for an interview with us, and shares fascinating memories of her long career in Philadelphia area theater. In particular she discusses her lifelong involvement and eventual leadership of the Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania.

This episode can be seen as a continuation of our Episode 36, "Jasper Deeter and the Hedgerow Theatre" from September 2022. You can find it on any podcasting app, or go right to the episode page on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/jasper-deeter-and-the-hedgerow-theatre/

As a special bonus, you can also hear Penelope Reed discuss the history of her amazing theatrical family! In return for a small membership donation on Patreon, you can year this additional 24-minute section of the interview: AITHpodcast@patreon.com

A blog post on our website, with images from Reed's career: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/penelope-reed/

If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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[Note: This is a repeat of our Episode 12, first released in June 2021}

Fires were a real danger in 19th Century theater, and some Philadelphia theaters were burned down and rebuilt multiple times. Inevitably, in some of these fires performers, audience members, and firefighters lost their lives. In this episode we go on exploration of how theater fires in the 1800s affect the physical environment that we experience plays in today.

To view the episode blog entry with illustrations and a bibliography, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/burning-down-the-house-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-12/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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First released as Episode 10 in May of 2021, we bring out this great story once again!

You can find illustrations and additional information about the events we describe here, on our webpage: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/episode-10-George-Frederick-Cooke/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The the final episode of our story about the Theatre of the Living Arts. While exciting work continues to happen on South Street, opposition to Andre Gregory's artistic leadership rises, and eventually come to a head after the production of the play Beclch.

(The image for this episode is actress Sharon Gans in the role of Queen Beclch, in a photo taken during rehearsals by Betty Nettis Bennett.)

Go to our blog post "Landslide," which contains additional information, documents and photographs of the events we describe in this episode: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/landslide/

After you hear the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Our story continues, with productions of the '65-'66 second season of Philadelphia's first scrappy non-profit resident theater company - at its home on South Street.

Visit our website to find a blog post with mages about the plays we discuss, as well as additional information about this episode. There is also, as always, a bibliography of our sources. See the article, "Blinded by the Light":
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/blinded-by-the-light/

After you hear the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Announcements, Corrections, Answers to questions from our listeners - and some exciting personal news!

(The episode image is of the frontage of the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, ca. 1820. From Charles Durang's History of the Philadelphia Stage.)

For information and tickets to Boca, at the Act II Playhouse in Ambler PA this summer: https://act2.org/show/boca/

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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The founding of Philadelphia's first major resident theater company: The Theatre of the Living Arts.

As the 1960s begin, the fortunes of the Quaker City - and its theater - are flagging. Even the longtime supply of Broadway 'tryout' shows coming through town are beginning to dry up.

To jump-start a revival, two Philadelphia area women, Jean Goldman and Celia Silverman, begin the arduous process of bringing the skeptical Philly audience a non-profit theater, music and cinema organization. The director Andre Gregory becomes the theater's original Artistic Director. By January 1965 - after some last minute drama - the first play of the first season has its premiere!

Visit our website to find images, additional information, and a bibliography of our sources - "A Theatrical Baby With Two Mothers":
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/a-theatrical-baby-with-two-mothers/

PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
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To listen to Philip Rowe's The History of European Theatre on Apple Podcasts, go to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-european-theatre/id1511388970

Or search for "The History of European Theatre" wherever you get your podcasts!

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Would Sunday in New York perform on Saturday in Philadelphia? Were the "riffraff and lowlifes" of Brecht'sThreepenny Opera suitable for its Playhouse in the Park? Could the first publicly funded and owned city theater in the country survive in the maelstrom of Philadelphia city politics?

Find out on today's episode - as we continue our Season Two "Drama Is Conflict," about censorship in Philly theater!

Visit our website for a blog post with photos about events in this show, "Playhouse in the Park":
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/playhouse-in-the-park/

More information about Mt. Vernon Cemetery is HERE

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
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℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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An interview with the Producing Artistic Director of the historic Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, Bernard Havard.

Visit our website for a blog post with photos of our tour, including many of the items we discuss in the episode:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/photos-for-the-walls-of-walnut-street/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
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We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, please write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Check out all our recent episodes! For an exciting season about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however you spell it, this is the podcast for you.

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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During the Great Depression years of the 1930s, some touring Broadway shows got into trouble in Philadelphia. "The People's Mayor" S. Davis Wilson had his limits when it came to what he would allow in the city's theaters.

This is another episode in our ongoing series about censorship and public campaigns against certain controversial shows during the 20th Century. This time around, such disparate plays as Tobacco Road, New Faces of 1936, and Langston Hughes' Mulatto make the news, as the Philadelphia Police Department and the Mayor's reconstituted Board of Theatrical Control tried to draw the line about what was acceptable on Philadelphia stages.

For more background information and images about this episode, go to our website:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-peoples-mayor/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
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If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Check out all our recent episodes! For an exciting season about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however you spell it, this is the podcast for you.

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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In the 1920s, Philadelphia theater censorship controversies were often dealt was usually about what women were wearing - or rather were NOT wearing - on the city's stages.

A great cast of historical characters in this episode, set during the Prohibition Era: fan dancer Sally Rand, bandleader Ted ("Is Everybody Happy?") Lewis, The Marx Brothers, Broadway producer Earl Carroll, General Smedley Butler, Rev. Frederic Poole of the Philadelphia Board of Theatrical Control - and many, many dancing showgirls!

For additional images and information about the people and topics we discuss in this episode, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/Board-of-Theatrical-Control/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Check out all our recent episodes! For an exciting season about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however you spell it, this is the podcast for you.

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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In 1911, actress Sarah Bernhardt's production of La Samaritaine met with fervent opposition from Philadelphia clergymen. In 1912, the Irish Players' production of Playboy of the Western World caused yet another Philly audience riot!

What was going on?Listen and find out! It's all part of our continuing Season Two: "Drama Is Conflict".

Please Note: There is nothing immoral, blasphemous, or obscene in this episode. There's no explicit language. None at all. Don't worry, you'll be fine.

For more images, information and a bibliography of our sources, see the blog entry "Bernhardt and the Playboy" on our website:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/bernhardt-and-the-playboy/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Check out all our recent episodes! For an exciting season about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however you spell it, this is the podcast for you.

Please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
To become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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The last installment of the saga of Oscar Hammerstein in the "Opera Wars" - and the grand Philadelphia theater he left behind, when the war was over.

We also meet the New York banker Otto Kahn - the power behind the rival Metropolitan Opera - and how that name gets transferred to the Philadelphia building.

Despite many transformations, over the years it has remained a grand temple of Music, Art and Faith on North Broad Street. We follow the musical trail from 1910 - all the way to the present day.

For more images, information and a bibliography of our sources, see the blog entry "Exit Hammerstein" on our website:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/exit-hammerstein/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Check out all our recent episodes! For an exciting season about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however you spell it, this is the podcast for you.

Please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
To become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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February 1909: The opera "Salome" at Oscar Hammerstein's new Philadelphia Opera House needed to be stopped, as a matter of public decency, declared hundreds of clergymen and civic leaders.

Meanwhile, the impresario himself was threatening to take his newly-founded opera company back to New York, and set up the enormous theater as a vaudeville house instead! What was going on?

This is the second part of three-part series on the impresario Oscar Hammerstein and his venture into the Philadelphia theater world. For additional images and information, see the blog post on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/salome-was-a-dancer/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Check out all our recent episodes! For an exciting season about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however you spell it, this is the podcast for you.

Please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
To become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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November 17, 1908 : The magnificent new theater in North Philadelphia was ready for its first opera! It was "as if some master magician's wand had called it into being," wrote one admiring journalist.

Everyone in the city, especially its most wealthy and socially prominent citizens, could hardly wait to get inside to see the show. But first they had to make their way through the crowd of ten thousand people out on the streets gathered just to see them all dressed up in their finest!

This is the story of the Manhattan opera impresario Oscar Hammerstein, and how the "Opera War" with his rival, the Metropolitan Opera Company, spread all the way to Philadelphia. What remains behind of that war today is not only an amazing theater, but a great story!

After you've listened to the show, for additional images and information, see the blog post on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-beauties-of-society/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Check out all our recent episodes! For an exciting season about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however you spell it, this is the podcast for you.

Please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
To become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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1906: A coalition of African American men attempt to stop Thomas Dixon Jr.'s play The Clansman from being performed in Philadelphia. After leading a public protest in front of the Walnut Street Theatre, the whole matter ends up in City Hall, at a hearing before Mayor John Weaver.

There is a blog post on our website, which has additional information and images about the historical characters in this episode! See: "The Learned Professions": https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-learned-professions/

For a copy of the Kelly Miller pamphlet "As To the Leopard's Spots," there is a online facsimile copy at the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/astoleopardsspot00mill

Music in the episode is by Chris Colucci, except for the underscoring late in the episode, which from the second movement of the Symphony No. 1 in E minor by the composer Florence Price. Performance by the New Black Repertory Ensemble, Leslie B. Dunner, conductor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s4yY_A2A2k

Please Note: There is no historical connection or relationship between the management of the Walnut Street Theatre, as it stood in 1906, and the current management of the modern Walnut Street Theatre at the same location.

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Check out all our recent episodes! For an exciting season about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however you spell it, this is the podcast for you.

Please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
To become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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Seven short and light vignettes from the history of Philadelphia Theater - all of which took place in the city during the Holiday, from various theatrical seasons over the past 150 years.

A gift to all of you listeners and supporters of the podcast. We hope you have a wonderful and restful Holiday season, and that the New Year of 2023 brings you health, happiness - and plenty of chances to go out and see some good theater, wherever you are in the world!

For a blog post with images to accompany this episode, go to our website:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/pajama-tops-bottoms-out/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here - especially if you listen to us ON APPLE PODCASTS! We need some more reviews there:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Check out all our recent episodes! For an exciting season about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however you spell it, this is the podcast for you.

Please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
To become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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We continue our story about Thomas Dixon Jr. and his 1905 play The Clansman with an examination of the early life of this formidable man. We learn the root causes of his political obsessions - and about his need to express himself in the world of the theater.

Also in this episode, we finally meet J. Frederick Zimmerman and Samuel F. Nixon, the two Philadelphia theatrical producers who were key members of The Theatrical Syndicate.

After listening to the episode, please visit our website, where there is additional information, images, and even a bibliography for this episode. The link is here: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-syndicate/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/
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To become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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We begin the harrowing and alarming story of "The Clansman," in Philadelphia. Although this play by the author Thomas W. Dixon is know as the progenitor to the 1915 D.W. Griffith film "Birth of the Nation," few are aware of its early controversial history,

The narrative begins in the streets outside the Walnut Street Theatre, as a large crowd of the city's Black citizens have gathered to protest the performance, and to demand that it be stopped.

(Please note: in all descriptions of Philadelphia's Walnut St. Theatre in the year 1906 - there is NO connection to the current management of the Walnut Street Theatre or the producers or organization of the modern company. All the events described in this episode took place long ago, in a different era, and should not be construed to represent the views of the present management of the building as it stands today.)

To se a blog post about the events in this episode, follow this link to our podcast's web page: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/3000-negroes-riot/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/
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To become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

℗ All recordings of original music and compositions within the episodes, copyright Christopher Mark Colucci 2021/2022. Used by permission.

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A re-broadcast of an episode originally released in November of 2021.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, an exploration of performances by Indigenous People in theaters of the City of Philadelphia in the 19th Century. We also detail plays by white performers that supposedly depicted Native people and stories in that period.

The attached image for the episode is a detail of an illustration found in the book "History of the Indian Tribes of North America", Volume One, by Thomas McKenney, which was published in Philadelphia in 1838.

For other images and additional commentary about this topic, as well as a bibliography of our sources, see our website's blog post:
https://www.the-native-american-party-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-20

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

℗ All recordings of original music and compositions within the episodes, copyright Christopher Mark Colucci 2021/2022. Used by permission.

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The mob is gathering in the street outside the Chestnut Street Theatre, while inside the rehearsals for the scandalous play The Quaker City go on! The thrilling conclusion of our three part series! Will it all end in a deadly riot? The suspense is building . .

For a blog post about this episode, with more information and images about the people and events in our story, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/wo-unto-sodom/

(There is also a complete bibliography at the end of the blog post, with of all our sources for Parts One, Two and Three of this series.)

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Or, follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
To become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

℗ All recordings of original music and compositions within the episodes, copyright Christopher Mark Colucci 2021/2022. Used by permission.

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George Lippard's novel "The Quaker City, or the Monk's of Monk Hall" is made into a new play. The excitement about it builds in Philadelphia, just as the national election of 1844 roils the city.

We learn more about the young Philadelphia writer, and how he was recruited by theater manager Francis Wemyss to provide a script for his Chestnut Street Theatre. Meanwhile, one of Philadelphia's most prominent citizens is headed for the Vice Presidency, while others of the city's elite look with alarm at what Lippard and Wemyss' play might do to their reputations. Some of Philadelphia's theatergoers even have their reasons to threaten riots and bloodshed. The supposedly peaceable 'Quaker City' is not looking very peaceable at all.

Part Two of our three-part series about the threat of violence in the streets and theaters of Philadelphia in 1844, as we continue theme of Season Two of our podcast: "Drama is Conflict."

For images and more information about this topic, see the blog post on our website:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/george-lippard-and-the-election-of-1844/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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The theater of Philadelphia was being staged during the roiling years of the 1840s. Bankruptcies, riots, labor unrest, growing religious fervor and racial tensions, rising crime (and public perception of crime due to increasing availability of journals and newspapers) were everywhere.

This is the context for the first episode of our Season Two: "Drama is Conflict," in which we set the scene for the coming battle over the play at Philadelphia's Chestnut Street Theater, entitledThe Quaker City, or the Monks of Monk Hall, by George Lippard. How and why this production came about will be the story of our next two episodes, as well.

For more about the historical context of today's episode, including images of many of the people and events we discuss, see the blog post on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/philadelphia-in-1844/

The image used for this episode is a detail from an 1844 lithograph entitled "The Death of George Shifler." It was a bit of popular propaganda produced by the nativist "American Republican Party," and supposedly depicted the death of the 19 year-old Shifler during the Kensington Riots of May 6, 1844. It is from the collection of the Library Company of Philadelphia. Persistent link: https://digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/digitool%3A65090

For more information about the riots, there is an excellent article in the online Encyplopedia of Greater Philadelphia: https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/nativist-riots-of-1844/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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A quick announcement about our upcoming season of new episodes!

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Jasper Deeter formed Philadelphia's oldest repertory theater company in 1923. Though seemingly self-isolated in the small and intense community of theater workers he had founded, his work as a director, actor, visionary and longtime acting teacher had a profound affect on shaping Philadelphia's - and America's - theater for years to come.

In this show we interview theater historian Barry Witham about his 2013 book A Sustainable Theatre: Jasper Deeter at the Hedgerow, and then bring listeners along on a guided tour of Hedgerow Theatre campus in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania.

Check out this blog post with historical images of Jasper Deeter, plus photos from our visit to the Hedgerow in August 2022, on our website!
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/photos-of-the-hedgerow/

The Hedgerow Theatre's website can be found here: https://www.hedgerowtheatre.org/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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This special episode of the podcast goes on a journey to the Paul Robeson House and Museum in Philadelphia. Included is an interview with Janice Sykes-Ross of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and a recording of a live tour of the Paul Robeson House with docent Terry Fimiano Guerin.

For a blog post on our website with additional information, images, and links, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-house-i-live-in/

The website for the Paul Robeson House and Museum, where you can learn more about its history and the story of Paul Robeson, and how to arrange your own tour, is here.

A beautiful video on YouTube, that we mention in the episode, tells the story of Paul Robeson, the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and its founder Frances P. Aulston, and the house where he spent the last 10 years of his life. It was created in conjunction with Scribe Video Center's "Precious Places Community History Project" in Philadelphia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9TDPvXHeeY

By the way, there are some mysteries about the Paul Robeson House! Check here for some small problems the staff has encountered recently identifying the provenance or location of certain items.

The WCPA is a 501c3 non-profit organization, information about how to make donations to their important work can be found here.

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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Like the ghost of Hamlet's father, John Barrymore wouldn't stay still and kept showing up! A chapter about Philadelphia's most famous acting family, from Wicked Philadelphia, a book by Thomas H. Keels

Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love by Thomas Keels, is available on Amazon.com. Please visit Tom's website, www.thomaskeels.com, for more information on his other books and upcoming talks and lectures.

For blog post with images and more thoughts about this topic, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/alas-poor-yorick/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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Video of 1963 Orson Welles interview, followed by Barrymore doing Hamlet in 1933:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2jWx4IqgEM

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As an addendum to Season One, here are six more stories of 19th C. Philadelphia theater. We discuss Alexander Reinagle, Joseph Jefferson III, James Murdoch, Matilda Heron, John McCullough - as well as two stagehands at the Walnut Street Theater you likely never heard of before, but may never forget!

To see images and more information about today's subjects, see the blog post on our podcast's web page:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/back-to-the-19th-century/

If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast.com

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
To become a Patreon Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

For the music and recordings featured in today's episode (all found easily on YouTube)
Alexander Reinagle
"Six Scots Tunes" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meY6-Hkolxc
"Baroque Americain" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyu811rSB5U "Philadelphia Sonata #1" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImEhQvsukJM"Federal March" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3I067IuWA8
"Philadelphia Sonata #2" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3I067IuWA8
"I Have a Silent Sorrow Here" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngVW6rKaWCcJoseph Jefferson"Jefferson and Liberty" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAOurpDRyPw&list=PLfw18z0BT49LCohEMD3kBcYcMm7LZgUN8"Jump Jim Crow" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wg1vGucbs
"Rip Van Winkle" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwiBdrOtGmAJames E. Murdoch
"Philadelphia Fireman's Cotillion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aw_JDlvXwc
"Sospiri del Mio Cor" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1TbAwZv1R8&list=PLfw18z0BT49LCohEMD3kBcYcMm7LZgUN8&index=15

Matilda Heron
"Traditional Irish Music" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdxGhKbdjxU
Chopin, Sonata #3 - Op.58, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cy3dmqrn3c&list=PLsiUDYPNEqx2yytIAxpTOrxWtKfByxg2zJohn McCullough
Tchaikovsky, Music for Hamlet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2le05k-6ls"The Ravings of John McCullough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoCNprlhvmo
Saint-Saëns, Danse Macabre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh

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An interview/conversation with Jonathan Shandell, the author of a January 2022 article in the journal Theater History Studies entitled "Caricatured, Marginalized, Betrayed". The article examines the history of the Philadelphia "Negro Unit" of the Federal Theatre Project in the 1930s - specifically the history of three plays produced by the FTP at the Walnut Street Theatre.

You can read more about Jonathan on his website: https://jonathan.shandell.us/home

Also in the conversation in Jerrell Henderson, a theater director, puppeteer and teacher currently living in Chicago. A native Philadelphian, he has devoted much time to studying and writing about musical theater, especially Black musical theater. He is the curator and creator of black_theatre-vinyl_archive on Instagram. https://www.jerrell-henderson.com/

For a blog post on our website, with images from the productions we discuss in the episode:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/jericho-one-third-of-a-nation-and-prelude-to-swing/

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January 1990: The appointment of Mary B. Robinson as the new Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Drama Guild is announced, taking over from outgoing Artistic Director Gregory Poggi.

Robinson's tenure at the Drama Guild was slated to begin in August of 1990, so she could move back to Philadelphia and start planning her first season. At a press conference, she stated that she planned to personally direct at least 3 of the 5 shows staged by the Drama Guild, whose current home was in the Zellerbach Theatre on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. . . .

In the fall of 2021, Mary Robinson sat down for a talk with Adventures in Theater History. It was also the first time she had sat down and really discussed her four-and-a-half year long tenure at the Drama Guild in since 1995. We also talked about the many shows she subsequently directed at the Philadelphia Theatre Company in years since. The first of a planned series of many interviews with historically important Philadelphia theater artists and scholars, we are proud to bring you this fascinating hour-long recorded conversation. Enjoy!

Website: www.AITHpodcast.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

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Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS - or even easier, right on our website!
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/new/

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From the 1876 Centennial Exposition to the end of the 19th Century, Philadelphia's experienced a boom in theater construction. New plays, musicals, operettas and vaudeville shows constantly cycled in and out of the city to fill these theaters. By the 1890s, one newspaperman estimated that on average each of Philadelphia's one million people saw five shows a year! It was the best of times.

In this episode we do our best to describe this productive and significant, but mostly forgotten era of Philadelphia theater history.

Music in the episode is mostly from Evangeline; or, The Belle of Acadia an 1874 musical by Edward Rice.

To see and hear more of this show, as it was recently played and produced in Portland, Maine, see this playlist on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzxddX3RlZft3pSnqdMzU43l4emFzE6TR

A heartfelt thanks to Mr. Charles Kaufmann and the singers and orchestra of the Longfellow Chorus of Portland Maine, as well as the Charlotte Cushman Foundation of Philadelphia for their generous help, cooperation and support.

Additional music is from "Fatinitza" and Debussy's "La Soiree dan Grendade", played by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.

For images relating to the episode, and additional information see our website's blog post and bibliography: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-best-of-times-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-27/

Want to know even more great stuff about Philly theater history and can't wait for the next episode? We post stories every day on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed. Follow us there for a daily dose of Philly theater!

Website: www.AITHpodcast.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS - or even easier, right on our website!
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Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast)

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John A. Arneaux plays "Richard III" at the Academy of Music, then mysteriously exits the American stage. His co-star, the actor Henri Strange, remains - and strives to create a Shakespeare theater for Philadelphia's Black audiences. The second half of a two-part story.

Guest Voices
John A. Arneaux: Aaron Bell
Reporter: Bill Van Horn
R. Henri Strange: Davon Johnson
Young Woman: Journee Lutz

Transition and background music for this episode was from the album:The Music of Francis Johnson and His Contemporaries; Early 19th Century Black Composers, performed on original instruments by The Chestnut Band Company & Friends - Diane Monroe, violin, conducted by Tamara Brooks.

Additional music from The New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorak, recorded by the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, 1956.

For additional images and information see our website's blog post and bibliography: "The Happy Possessor of a Noble Ambition": https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-happy-possessor-of-a-noble-ambition-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-26/

Want to know even more great stuff about Philly theater history and can't wait for the next episode? We post stories every day on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed. Follow us there for a daily dose of Philly theater!

Website: www.AITHpodcast.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

To become a Patreon Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS - or even easier, right on our website!
https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/new/

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John A. Arneaux billed himself as "The Black Booth" and starred in a one-night all-Black production of Shakespeare's "Richard III' at Philadelphia's prestigious Academy of Music in January 1887. Who was he, where had he come from, and why had he chosen Philadelphia for this audacious feat? We explore his fascinating story in the first of our two episodes about him.

There are THREE blog posts about this episode on our webpage! AITHpodcast.com

The first post has images of Edwin Booth as Richard III: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/edwin-booth-and-richard-iii-in-philadelphia/

In the second, we reproduce the entirely of the chapter about Arneaux in William Simmons' 1887 book Men of Mark: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/j-a-arneaux-a-man-of-mark/

In the third, we have the sheet music for "Jumbo the Elephant King", as well as some other interesting items we discovered about Arneaux in the newspapers of the day.
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-elephant-king-at-the-cosmopolitan-more-material-about-episode-25-the-black-booth-part-one/

Want to know even more great stuff about Philly theater history and can't wait for the next episode? We post stories every day on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed. Follow us there for a daily dose of Philly theater!

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To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS - or even easier, right on our website!
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Before ending their occupation of Philadelphia in 1778, the British threw themselves a hell of a theatre party!

Knights and heralds, pageantry and theatricals, pomp and parading, feasting and flirting, all-night dancing and oh-so-many borrowed mirrors. Learn all about it from Peter's reading of the chapter "Oh, It's a Lovely War: The Mischianza 1778" from Thomas H. Keels' 2010 book "Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love."

Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love by Thomas Keels, is available on Amazon.com. Please visit Tom's website, www.thomaskeels.com, for more information on his other books and upcoming talks and lectures.

For blog post with images and more thoughts about this topic, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-pageant-that-shook-walnut-grove/

An online article about the Mischianza (or Meschianza) written by Christian DuComb can be found on the Encyclopedia of Philadelphia: https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/meschianza/

The cover image is a 1908 drawing by Violet Oakley, and is in the collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts: https://www.pafa.org/museum/collection/item/philadelphia-pageant-meschianza-toast-king-george-iii

Want to know more and can't wait for the next episode? We post stories about Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed!

Follow us there for a daily dose of Philly theater!
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The story of one of America's most infamous - and influential - performance traditions, as it specifically relates to the history of theater in Philadelphia.

For blog post with images and more thoughts about this topic, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/where-our-mothers-and-fathers-laughed-their-troubles-away/

An additional blog post, with the complete entry from The New York Clipper about the 'Ira Aldridge Troupe' in 1863, can be found here: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-ira-aldridge-troupe-play-franklin-hall-in-philadelphia-1863/

Music heard on this episode:

1) Intro music (Philadelphia Minstrels): from "Minstrel First Part, No. 4, by The Georgia Minstrels"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RawRdkmRZJQ

2) "An Evening with Minstrels, No. 6"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvfF_Ly7snE

3) "Ring the Banjo" by Stephen Foster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSi6RyS4a0Q&list=PLP9MbExcjbO1fSfv2Xg0jq54PC3qUKdmz&index=7

4) "I Cannot Sing the Old Songs" sung by Richard J. Jose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTXphaFNjro

5) "Oh, Susanna!" by Stephen Foster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RWDb9EawGE

6) "Old Dan Tucker" sung by Jack Nuckols, Mark Meadows and Stephanie Meadows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA3uo75HyzU

7) "Buffalo Gal", played by The Pickard Family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8CANw0gblY

8) "Listen to the Mockingbird", played by the Foggy Mountain Boys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAOrJES_beo

9) "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny", by James Bland, sung by Marian Anderson (1944)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti7TnAQs3BI

Want to know more and can't wait for the next episode? We post stories about Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed!

Follow us there for a daily dose of Philly theater!
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The famous 19th Century American tragic actress - and the 2Oth Century Philadelphia women who founded an organization in her honor.

For a blog post on our website about this episode, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/charlotte-cushman-and-the-cushman-club/

In addition, we post stories about Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed, every day. Follow us there for a daily dose of Philly theater!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
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Mike Lueger of "The Theatre History Podcast" interviews Dr. Christian DuComb about the history of Philadelphia Mummers Parade, the history behind the iconic annual Philadelphia event, and the 'Mummers Wench'.

Although I've added some additional material, originally this interview was originally released as Episode 55 of The Theatre History Podcast. There are notes and links on its website: https://howlround.com/theatre-history-podcast-55

To see our own blog entry about the the book "Haunted City", which contains many more fascinating insights about Philadelphia theater history, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/christian-ducombs-haunted-city/

Some YouTube videos of Mummers Parade performances and Fancy Brigades competitions here are some great examples:

Historic footage of the 1958 parade (on what looks to have been a very windy January 1st):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnPM9po7kGg

There is even old footage, with original sound, of the 1930 parade (CONTENT WARNING - blackface masking and other racist imagery are quite prevalent in this one): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASjC8ZY_a6s

Here is the Ferko String Band, the group we hear playing on this episode, performing in 1989, well after blackface was banned from the parade. But it's still "haunted" by it, as Dr. DuComb would say. This performance would fit in perfectly into a Primrose Minstrel show from the 1880s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JG7d6oiedI&t=1s

For a modern show here is a Fancy Brigade, the South Philly Vikings, with their 2017 winning performance in the competition at the Philadelphia Convention Center:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ5mkEwlpzQ&t=1s

Finally, from January 1, 2020 (the most recent parade unaffected by the pandemic), this is a bravura performance - on the street in front of City Hall - from the South Philadelphia String Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBtsr2iPSc

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Want to become a patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts? https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

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What was Philadelphia to do, in an age when theater audiences were Running Riot? Why, of course! . . build them an Academy, and fill it with Grand Opera.

See the Blog Post for this Episode on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-broad-street-opera-house-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-22/

Music selections played on this episode:

1) "Casta Diva" from Bellini's Norma - Montserrat Caballe. Zubin Mehta, conductor.

2) Finale of Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, Act IV: Herbert von Karajan (conducting Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper), with Jane Berbie, Heinz Zednik, Tom Krause, Zoltan Kelemen, Ileana Cotrubaș , José Van Dam, Frederica von Stade, and Jules Bastin.

3) Verdi, Grand March from Aida. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX0qN6QEvGg

4) Verdi, Waltz in F major. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh-QM84-BFA

5) Verdi, Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore. Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic and Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin.

6) Wagner, Overture to Tannhäuser - Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski (1963)

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
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To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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Bad behavior, bigotry and boorishness were often on display in many early 19th Century theater audiences. Philadelphia's New Theatre, on Chestnut Street, as well as being the premiere home for drama in America, could also be the site of riots, uproar - and cruelty. Three stories, all found in the published memoirs of manager and actor William H. Wood, serve to illustrate what a rough experience a night in the theater could be during this era.

For other images and additional commentary about this topic, as well as a bibliography of our sources, see our website's blog post:

https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-riot-act/

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
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To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Want to become a patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts? https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

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In honor of Native American Heritage Month, an exploration of performances by Indigenous People in theaters of the City of Philadelphia in the 19th Century. We also detail plays by white performers that supposedly depicted Native people and stories in that period.

The attached image for the episode is a detail of an illustration found in the book "History of the Indian Tribes of North America", Volume One, by Thomas McKenney, which was published in Philadelphia in 1838.

For other images and additional commentary about this topic, as well as a bibliography of our sources, see our website's blog post:
https://www.the-native-american-party-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-20

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Want to become a patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts? https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

Want to buy me a coffee? Why thank you! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AITHpodcast

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Louisa Lane Drew was a prominent lady in Philadelphia, known for her management of "Mrs. John Drew's Arch Street Theatre". We continue the story we began in Part One, and complete our examination of her life and career, covering the period from 1862 to 1897. We even finally bring on the Barrymores! And, of course, Mrs. Malaprop.

Voice of Mrs. Drew performed by Susan Riley Stevens.

For images and additional commentary about this topic, as well as a bibliography of our sources, see our website's blog post:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/mrs-john-drews-arch-street-theatre-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-19/

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Want to become a patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts? https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

Want to buy me a coffee? Why thank you! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AITHpodcast

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast)

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Louisa Lane Drew was a prominent lady in Philadelphia, known for her management of "Mrs. John Drew's Arch Street Theatre". We begin the story of her rise to fame and respectability, and chronicle her early years, long before she became the grandmother of All Them Barrymores.

For images and additional commentary about this topic, as well as a bibliography of our sources, see our website's blog post:
www.aithpodcast.com/blog/Louisa-Lane-Drew-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-18/

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Want to become a patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts? https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

Want to buy me a coffee? Why thank you! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AITHpodcast

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast)

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Fanny Kemble feels trapped in her new marriage, and learns the stark truth about American slavery and how she herself has become implicated in its horrors. We detail in this episode how, after a long struggle, she finally works her way back to moral clarity and and financial independence. It has a lot to do with the power of Shakespeare, it turns out.

For images and additional commentary about this topic, as well as a bibliography of our sources, see our website's blog post:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-rhapsodist-blog-post-and-bibliography/

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Want to become a patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts? https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

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Fanny Kemble and her father Charles Kemble, representatives of the most famous English theatrical family of their day, appeared at both the Chestnut Street Theatre and Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia in the early 1830s, during their tour of America. Though Charles was a star himself, it was the beautiful and vivacious Fanny that audiences really came to see. Her performances would help to change the role of women on the American stage, and her stay in Philadelphia would have a transformative effect on her own life story, as well.

For images and additional commentary about this topic,(and a bibliography) see our website's blog post! www.https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/episode-16-Fanny-Kemble-Part-One-blog-post/

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Want to become a patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts? https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

Want to buy me a coffee? Why thank you! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AITHpodcast

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Edwin Forrest returns to his home city in the final decades of his life. He keeps performing on the city's stages, and creates his long-term legacy in Philadelphia.

For photographs and additional commentary about this topic, see our website's blog post! https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/episode-10-George-Frederick-Cooke/

For more about Edwin Forrest and the Astor Place Riots, which took place in New York, I highly recommend that truly excellent team of New York history podcasters, The Bowery Boys!
https://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2019/05/the-astor-place-riot-massacre-at-busy.html

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Want to become a patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts? https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

Want to buy me a coffee? Why thank you! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AITHpodcast

Thinking of starting your own podcast? Use Buzzsprout as your host! It's what we use, and we highly recommend it. Use this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1699353

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The second installment of the story of Philadelphia's own Edwin Forrest, the first great star of the American Stage! In this episode we cover the period from 1829 to 1836, when he was building the repertoire of roles that would shape his career: Metamora, Spartacus, and Jack Cade.

You can learn more about our podcast, find additional episodes and blog posts, and leave a review of the show at our website: www.AITHpodcast.com

To view a blog post and bibliography about today's episode, go to:
www.aithpodcast.com/blog/forrest-of-philadelphia-part-two-blog/

We post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed. Check them out!
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To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

To see additional blog posts and become a supporter of the show:
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This is an edited version of the interview with Peter Schmitz by Mike Lueger of "The Theatre History Podcast". In the interview, Peter tries to answer Mike's many excellent questions about this podcast, such as: "Why Philadelphia?"

To listen to more episode of The Theatre History Podcast, go to:
https://theatrehistorypodcast.net/

We especially recommend the episode that has an episode with Dr. Christian DuComb, about his book on Philadelphia's Mummers' Parade:
https://howlround.com/theatre-history-podcast-55

Thanks for listening! We'll be back soon with Part Two of "The Forrest of Philadelphia"!

If you want to support the show, look for us on Patreon, or you can simply Buy Me a Coffee!
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We begin to explore the story of Philadelphia's own Edwin Forrest, the first great star of the American Stage! We follow him from birth, through his early years, to his initial success.

You can learn more about our podcast, find additional episodes and blog posts, and leave a review of the show at our website: www.AITHpodcast.com

To view a blog post and bibliography about today's episode, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/returning-home-in-triumph-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-13/

In today's episode I mention "All Bones Considered", Joe Lex's great podcast about Philadelphia history. For the episode that includes actor and manager William B. Wood, go to:
https://jrlexjr.podbean.com/e/encore-william-wood-mary-ann-lee-frank-mayo-and-wedgwood-nowell/
The episode about Three Great Philadelphia Theatrical Impresarios is worth a listen too:
https://jrlexjr.podbean.com/e/on-with-the-show-edward-fry-adam-forepaugh-and-j-fred-zimmerman/

To see additional blog posts and become a supporter of the show:
https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

To Buy Me a Coffee!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AITHpodcast

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Fires were a real danger in 19th Century theater, and some Philadelphia theaters were burned down and rebuilt multiple times. Inevitably, in some of these fires performers, audience members, and firefighters lost their lives. In this episode we go on exploration of how theater fires in the 1800s affect the physical environment that we experience plays in today.

To view the episode blog entry with illustrations and a bibliography, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/burning-down-the-house-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-12/

We also post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

Thinking of starting your own podcast? Use Buzzsprout as your host! It's what we use, and we highly recommend it. Use this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1699353

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

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To become a regular supporting patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast)

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Wars, fires, melodramas, circuses, balloons, and ice cream . . . plus, for even more excitement, an examination of the economic model of American Theater in its early years! Woohoo! They're all in this episode, as we complete our multi-episode exploration of Philadelphia Theater History in the period from 1793-1820.

To view the episode blog entry with illustrations, a map, and a bibliography, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/episode-11-The-Theatrical-Commonwealth/

We also post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed. Check them out!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

Thinking of starting your own podcast? Use Buzzsprout as your host! It's what we use, and we highly recommend it. Use this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1699353

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

Want to help us out with a quick donation? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AITHpodcast

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George Frederick Cooke, one of the greatest actors of the English stage, came to town in 1811 while on a barnstorming tour of America. His performances of Shakespeare astonished audiences, and his visit left behind vivid stories of his wild behavior. Other things about him still remain in Philadelphia, too . . .

Want to see illustrations and more commentary about this topic? Go to our website's blog post! https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/episode-10-George-Frederick-Cooke/

We also post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed. Check them out!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

To become a patron of the podcast, and to get Bonus Episodes and Blog Posts: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

Thinking of starting your own podcast? Use Buzzsprout as your host! It's what we use, and we highly recommend it. Use this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1699353

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The hurricanes of World History blow a French equestrian circus company all the way to Philadelphia. The Walnut Street Theatre is born. Meanwhile back on Chestnut Street, the New Theatre is forging ahead with its annual seasons of plays and spectacles. Some historical figures of our story depart, and some new ones arrive. Benefits are awarded to all!

On our website, you can see a full blog post about the episode, with a map of Philadelphia in 1800, additional images of people mentioned in the show, further explanations of historical material, and a selected bibliography of source material: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/episode-9-chaos-on-chestnut-and-walnut-streets/

We also post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed. Check them out!
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Philadelphia's premiere theater company rings in the New Year of 1800 with their production of the spectacular Romance entitled "Blue Beard, or Female Curiosity". Meanwhile, in the audience, there are other dramatic events taking place! Join us on this Adventure in Theater History, as we take a snapshot of early American theater on the cusp of the 19th Century.

To see a full blog entry about this episode, including more illustrations, explanations, and a selected bibliography of source material, go to /blog/episode-8-new-years-day-at-the-new-theatre-1800/

If you enjoy the episode, please rate and review our show on Apple Podcasts!

Thinking of starting your own podcast? Use Buzzsprout as your host! It's what we use, and we highly recommend it. Use this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1699353

You can follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

Or our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

And if you visit our Patreon site, there is even more info about Philly Theater History. We hope you will consider making a donation, or becoming a supporting member, so that we can keep bringing these episodes to you. Thank you!

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An examination of two works by artist John Lewis Krimmel, as they relate to the history of theater and public performance in early 19th Century Philadelphia.

The first image can be found online at: "Nightlife in Philadelphia—an Oyster Barrow in front of the Chestnut Street Theater", Metropolitan Museum of Art Collections. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/12739

The second image can be found online at: "Exhibition of Indian Tribal Ceremonies at the Olympic Theater, Philadelphia, 1811–ca. 1813", Metropolitan Museum of Art Collections:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/12717

Or you can see both these images, and also copies of the historic Philadelphia newspaper ads about the Native Americans dances at the New Theatre in 1802 and the Olympic Theatre in 1812 in the website blog for the podcast: /blog/two-paintings-at-the-met/

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The final installment of our story about John Bill Ricketts, with more adventures about his equestrian circus and theatrical troupe. We meet the American comedian and dancer John Durang, and Ricketts has his portrait painted by Gilbert Stuart. The Circus and Art Pantheon becomes a major fixture of Philadelphia's social scene in the transition from the Washington to the Adams Administration. But troubles begin to mount as Ricketts's shows get increasingly elaborate with special effects like onstage volcanoes - and fire and wooden buildings are not a good combination . . .

(Portait of Ricketts from the collection of the National Gallery, Washington, DC. For more illustrations and information, see the episode blog post on our website: /blog/episode-6-ricketts-circus-in-the-capital-city-part-four/

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John Bill Ricketts completes his 1793 season of shows in Philadelphia - and gets out of town just in time to avoid the fate that laid low so many of Philadelphia's citizens that fateful year. But when Ricketts finally returns to the city, much later, he builds a new Circus and Art Pantheon right where the political leadership of the United States can easily find him - right across the corner of Sixth and Chestnut Street. However, the management of the New Theatre is not pleased with the competition from their new neighbor.

(Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania)

Blog post: /blog/episode-5-ricketts-circus-and-art-pantheon/

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We look at the influence of the English equestrian Phillip Astley, and how the equestrian circus was developing into an international form of popular entertainment in the late 18th Century.

(Image: copyright of the Trustees of the British Museum, used by permission)

Go to our website for a blog post with more illustrations and a bibliography of source material used in our research: /blog/episode-4-phillip-astley/

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John Bill Ricketts, the English Equestrian, arrives in Philadelphia, and attracts the attention of a Very Important Person. How did Philadelphia become the site of the First American Circus? Listen in and find out! (Image courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum)

Go to our website for a blog post with more images and a bibliography of source material: "Ricketts' Circus"
/blog/episode-3-ricketts-circus/

We also post daily stories from all periods of Philadelphia Theater History on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed. Check them out!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmeterpitz

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A broad overview of Philadelphia theater and its contribution to American drama - from the founding of Pennsylvania to the end of the 18th Century.

William Penn's antipathy to all things theatrical is discussed, as well as the continuing effects of Quakerism's distrust of the performing arts during most of this period. But as Colonial America began to change, and as the United States became a country, this prejudice shifts, and Philadelphia becomes home to the premier dramatic company in the new nation.

Go to our website blog post for more images and a bibliography of useful source material: "Plumstead's Warehouse and the Southwark Theatre"
/blog/episode-2-images-of-plumsteads-warehouse-and-the-southwark-theatre-in-philadelphai/

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Why we're here, and what we're trying to do with our podcast. Peter tells the story of his own personal history, and how he started on the task of researching, exploring, and teaching the history of the theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The matter of spelling the word "theater" (as opposed to "theatre") is explained, and the complexities and attractions and challenges of the Philadelphia's history is addressed.

For a blog post about this episode, visit: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/introductory-episode-notes-and-commentary/

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Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia: Recent Episodes

Peter Schmitz, Christopher Mark Colucci