Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

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/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=lGvjcWt4YBYOn Sunday, June 29th, from 10 to 11 AM, the author and podcaster Peter Schmitz will be appearing at the Brookline Books stall at the 2025 American Library Association annual conference and exhibition at the Philadelphia Convention Center. If you're a librarian - or a fan of libraries - and are coming to the ALA in Philly this year, please be sure to stop by and say hello!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.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/On Sunday, June 29th, the author and podcaster Peter Schmitz will be appearing at the Brookline Books stall at the 2025 American Library Association annual conference and exhibition at the Philadelphia Convention Center. If you're a librarian - or a fan of libraries - and are coming to the ALA in Philly this year, please be sure to stop by and say hello!Support the show"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!To order our book via Bookshop.org - GO HERE Our website: www.aithpodcast.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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.)On Sunday, June 29th, the author and podcaster Peter Schmitz will be appearing at the Brookline Books stall at the 2025 American Library Association annual conference and exhibition at the Philadelphia Convention Center. If you're a librarian - or a fan of libraries - and are coming to the ALA in Philly this year, please be sure to stop by and say hello!Support the show"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!To order our book via Bookshop.org - GO HERE Our website: www.aithpodcast.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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!To see a listing for our book on Bookshop.org - GO HERE IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW, AND WANT TO LEARN MORE:Our website: www.aithpodcast.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ YouTube: @AdventuresInTheaterHistorySupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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)Here's a special opportunity for those of you who are in the Philadelphia area: on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, I will be moderating Curtains Up on “Cato” - A Panel on Revolutionary Theater. a panel of distinguished scholars  in the Alan B. Miller Theater at the Museum of the American Revolution on the corner of Third and Chestnut, from 6-8 p.m. The panel will include Dr. Shawn David McGhee of Temple University, Dr. Chelsea Phillips of Villanova University, the author Eli Lynn, and the dramaturg Chazz Martin!Adventures in Theater History podcast listeners are invited to receive the reciprocal Museum of the American Revolution member discount for this special program. Go HERE, select $15 Museum Member and (as your Registrant Details) please enter the code: REMIXEDSupport the show"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!To see a listing on Bookshop.org - GO HERE IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW, AND WANT TO LEAN MORE:Our website: www.aithpodcast.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ YouTube: @AdventuresInTheaterHistorySupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

An interview 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!To see a listing on Bookshop.org - GO HERE IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW, AND WANT TO LEAN MORE:Our website: www.aithpodcast.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ YouTube: @AdventuresInTheaterHistorySupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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!To see a listing on our publisher's website: GO HERE IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW, AND WANT TO LEAN MORE:Our website: www.aithpodcast.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ YouTube: @AdventuresInTheaterHistorySupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 HERESupport the show"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!To see a listing on our publisher's website: GO HERE IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW, AND WANT TO LEAN MORE:Our website: www.aithpodcast.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ YouTube: @AdventuresInTheaterHistorySupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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!To see a listing on our publisher's website: GO HERE IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW, AND WANT TO LEAN MORE:Our website: www.aithpodcast.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ YouTube: @AdventuresInTheaterHistorySupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 is in bookstores now!To see a listing on our publisher's website: GO HEREYou can order your copy of this book through your own favorite local independent bookstore, or you can find it online through multiple platforms, TO ORDER ON AMAZON: GO HERETO CONTACT US:Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 is in bookstores now!To see a listing on our publisher's website: GO HEREYou can order your copy of this book through your own favorite local independent bookstore, or you can find it online through multiple platforms, TO ORDER ON AMAZON: GO HERETO CONTACT US:Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 is in bookstores now!To see a listing on our publisher's website: GO HEREYou can order your copy of this book through your own favorite local independent bookstore, or you can find it online through multiple platforms, TO ORDER ON AMAZON: GO HERETO CONTACT US:Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 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 HERETO ORDER ON BROOKLINE BOOKS WEBSITE: GO HERE (Use the code 25PESC to save 25% at checkout!)Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 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 HERETO ORDER ON BROOKLINE BOOKS WEBSITE: GO HERE (Use the code 25PESC to save 25% at checkout!)Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 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 HERETO ORDER ON BROOKLINE BOOKS WEBSITE: GO HERE (Use the code 25PESC to save 25% at checkout!)Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 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 HERETO ORDER ON BROOKLINE BOOKS WEBSITE: GO HERE (Use the code 25PESC to save 25% at checkout!)Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/historySupport 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 HERETO ORDER ON BROOKLINE BOOKS WEBSITE: GO HERE (Use the code 25PESC to save 25% at checkout!)Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 HERETO ORDER ON BROOKLINE BOOKS WEBSITE: GO HERE (Use the code 25PESC to save 25% at checkout!)Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Or, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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=V9TDPvXHeeYThe 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.comOr, follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/cmsoundIf 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.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.Send us a Text Message.Support the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/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.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastSupport the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/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.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastSupport the Show.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

"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:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

A reissue of our conversattion 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:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Write to us! aithpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/id1562046673Write to us! aithpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Write to us! aithpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzOur website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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!But even the Moscow Art Theatre came through town - as well as great productions of Eugene O'Neill plays.Now with such new 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, Philly was a real Tryout Town!For a blog post with images and additional content, go to our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/its-show-time/If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzOur website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

The story of the Shubert Brothers, and how they began to take control over almost every commercial theater in Philadelphia - and in almost every other city in 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/If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzOur website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/ If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitzOur website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 city authorities allow it to be shown? After all, its racist source material, Thomas Dixon's play The Clansman had been officially banned in the city back in 1906. But was this film a "movie" or a "photoplay"? Could it be 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 Fights Against the Clansman" - Episodes 42, 43, and 45. The blog posts for those episodes are:42: "3000 Negroes Riot Trying To Stop Objectionable Play" https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/3000-negroes-riot/43: "The Syndicate" https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-syndicate/ 45: "The Learned Professions" https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-learned-professions/If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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.mp4If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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.comA 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/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

[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/If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 matters 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:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, please write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastSupport Philadelphia the history research! Find us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, please write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastSupport Us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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/PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW OF OUR PODCAST! You can do it easily, right here:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, please write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastSupport Us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, please write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastSupport Theater History Research! https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 HEREIf 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/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.comPlease follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastTo become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/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.comPlease follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastTo become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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:https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comPlease follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastTo become a Patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcastCheck 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.© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.