Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Exploring the deep and fascinating history of theater in the City of Philadelphia

Recent Episodes

May 6, 2024

75. Aftershock: The Serious Reckoning

Post-war theater in Philadelphia reflected the many serious issues the country was facing: Carmen Jones, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Member of the Wedding  and Death of a Salesman all had tryout premieres in Philadelphia.
May 1, 2024

74. "Kiss Me, Kate" World Premiere

The story of Cole Porter's classic musical Kiss Me, Kate's world premiere opening in Philadelphia on December 2, 1948.
April 19, 2024

73. The Boom

"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.
April 14, 2024

72. Encore Episode: Philadelphia's "Negro Unit" of the Federal Theatre Project

A reissue of our conversation with scholar Jonathan Shandell and director Jerrell Henderson, about a little-known chapter of Philadelphia's theater history.
April 5, 2024

71. The Crash

Philadelphia enters the Great Depression, and wrecking crews were tearing down many of the city's grand old theaters.
March 15, 2024

70. 42nd Street

"Pretty Lady" has its opening night in Philadelphia! A dramatic reading - underscored with evocative musical accompaniment.

Recent Blog Posts

This Train is a Goin' Home Train - Notes and Images for Episode 75

Above, the "Air Corps scene" from the 1946 revue Call Me Mister. The skit satirized the fancy and adoring reception that returning Army Air Corps pilots would get on their homecoming - as opposed to the lack of ceremony that most regular GI's would …

Rings and Things and Fine Array - Notes and Images for Episode 74

Above, a photo of the final tableaux of Act One, from the original 1948 production of Kiss Me, Kate. Below, Albert Drake and Patricia Morrison.Below, a cartoon by Jo Metzer from the Philadelphia Inquirer, showing Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne in th…

Theater for a Quaker City in the War Years - Notes and Images for Episode 73

October 26, 1942: "Getting Ready for All-Soldier Show Opening" was the caption in the Inquirer. Two servicemen/stagehands prepare for Irving Berlin's patriotic show This is the Army at the Mastbaum Theatre.Below, while in town to appear at the openi…