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#WalnutStreetTheatre Episodes

Episodes that explore the deep history of America's Oldest Theater - the Walnut, a theater on the corner of 8th and Walnut Streets since 1808.
122. Interview: Grace Gonglewski
April 17, 2026

122. Interview: Grace Gonglewski

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

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117. Starting on the Third Floor - and Going Up
Feb. 15, 2026

117. Starting on the Third Floor - and Going Up

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

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112. Encore Episode: The Walls of Walnut Street
Nov. 21, 2025

112. Encore Episode: The Walls of Walnut Street

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

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93. Interview: Gregory Poggi
Jan. 24, 2025

93. Interview: Gregory Poggi

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

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92. The Philadelphia Drama Guild
Jan. 11, 2025

92. The Philadelphia Drama Guild

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.

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90. The Arts Centers: New Philly Theaters for the 1970s
Dec. 13, 2024

90. The Arts Centers: New Philly Theaters for the 1970s

Three new Philadelphia theater complexes are built for the mid-century modern era - funded by wealthy philanthropists.

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33. Life & Death in the Theater: More 19th Century Stories
June 17, 2022

33. Life & Death in the Theater: More 19th Century Stories

Six stories of 19th century Philadelphia theater. We discuss Alexander Reinagle, Joseph Jefferson III, James Murdoch, Matilda Heron, John McCullough - as well as two stagehands at the Walnut Street Theater you likely never heard of before, but may never forget!

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13. Forrest of Philadelphia, Part One
July 9, 2021

13. Forrest of Philadelphia, Part One

We begin 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.

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