Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

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 Instagram feeds. Follow us there for a daily dose of Philly theater!

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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.

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 Instagram feeds. Follow us there for a daily dose of Philly theater!

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

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz

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

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

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: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast

To email us: AITHpodcast@gmail.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 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/

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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

© 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 famous 19th Century American tragic actress - and the 2Oth Century Philadelphia women who founded an organization in her honor.

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

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

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.

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, this interview was originally released as Episode 55 of  Mike's "The Theatre History Podcast." There are notes and links on his 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/

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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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

© 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.

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.

The early history of the most famous and most beautiful surviving 19th Century theaters in Philadelphia.

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/

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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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.

To email us: aithpodcast@gmail.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.

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/

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.

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 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.

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/

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.

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/

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.

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/

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

Or leave us a rating 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.

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.
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/I-like-this-town-extremely/

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.

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-15-See-The-Players-Well-Bestowed/

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

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.

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/

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

Or leave a rating 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.

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/

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

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Follow 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 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/

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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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.

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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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.

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/

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.

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/

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.