Episodes

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

A Special Episode for our listeners! 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'.

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.

Bad behavior, bigotry and boorishness! 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.

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.

"Mrs. John Drew's Arch Street Theatre" was the most famous company in Philadelphia, during the period from 1862 to 1897. We even finally bring on the Barrymores! And we see her as Mrs. Malaprop.

Louisa Lane Drew's rise to fame and respectability. We chronicle her early years, long before she became the grandmother of All Them Barrymores.

Fanny Kemble, trapped in her new marriage, learns the stark truth about American slavery and how she herself has become implicated in its horrors. After a long struggle, she finally works her way back to moral clarity and and financial …

Fanny Kemble's 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.

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.

Edwin Forrest builds the repertoire of new roles that would shape his career: Metamora, Spartacus, and Jack Cade.

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 Philadel...

We follow Philadelphia's own great tragedian Edwin Forrest from birth, through his early years, to his initial success.

How Philadelphia'a many theater fires in the 1800s affect the physical environment of plays, even today.

Wars, fires, melodramas, circuses, balloons, and ice cream . . . as we complete our multi-episode exploration of Philadelphia Theater History in the period from 1793-1820.

George Frederick Cooke, one of the greatest actors of the English stage, came to Philadelphia in 1811. In a very real way, he's still here . . .

The hurricanes of World History blow a French equestrian circus company all the way to Philadelphia, and the Walnut Street Theatre is born.

Philadelphians ring in the New Year of 1800 with a spectacular staging of "Blue Beard, or Female Curiosity". Meanwhile, in the audience, other dramatic events are taking place!

How two paintings - of a Black oyster-seller and a group of Native Americans - give us insights in the early theater of Philadelphia.

A Triumph, an International Tour, a Fire, and a Final Exit.

John Bill Ricketts completes his 1793 season of shows in Philadelphia - just in time to avoid the Yellow Fever epidemic. But when Ricketts finally returns to the city, much later, he builds a new Circus and Art Pantheon

The influence of the English equestrian Phillip Astley, and how the equestrian circus was developing into an international form of popular entertainment in the late 18th Century.

How Philadelphia became the site of the First American Circus.

A broad overview of Philadelphia theater and its contribution to American drama - from the founding of Pennsylvania to the end of the 18th Century. William Penn's antipathy to all things theatrical is discussed, as well as th...