Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

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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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/

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© 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/id1562046673

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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/id1562046673

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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/id1562046673

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© 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/id1562046673

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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/id1562046673

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Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/

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© 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'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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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.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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© 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.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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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/id1562046673

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© 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/id1562046673

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© 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/

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

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Support 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.)

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© 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:
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Support 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 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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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

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

© 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.com

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

© 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:
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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.

© 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 1920s, Philadelphia theater censorship controversies were 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/

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

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.

© 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.