Episodes

The story of one of America's most infamous - and influential - performance traditions, as it specifically relates to the history of theater in Philadelphia.

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

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? Build them an Academy, and fill it with Grand Opera.

Bad behavior, bigotry and boorishness were often on display in early 19th Century Philadelphia audiences.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, an exploration of performances by Indigenous People in theaters of the City of Philadelphia. We also cover plays by white performers that supposedly depicted Native people and stories in that period.

We continue our story of Louisa Lane Drew's life and career, covering the period from 1862 to 1897.

We begin the story of Louisa Lane Drew's early years, long before she became the grandmother of All Them Barrymores.

Fanny Kemble learns how she herself has become implicated in the horrors of slavery. She finally escapes her marriage, and finds a new career on stage.

The actress would help to change the role of women on the American stage, and her visit to Philadelphia would have a transformative effect on her own life.

Edwin Forrest returns to his home city in the final decades of his life. After death, he creates a long-term legacy in Philadelphia.

We cover the period from 1829 to 1836, when Forrest was building the great repertoire of 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".

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.

How Philadelphia's theater fires in the 1800s affected the physical environment that we experience plays in today.

Wars, fires, melodramas, circuses, balloons, and ice cream . . .  plus, for even more excitement, an examination of the economic model of American theater.

George Frederick Cooke's performances of Shakespeare astonished Philadelphia audiences, and his 1811 visit left behind vivid stories of his wild behavior.

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

Philadelphia's premiere theater company rings in the New Year of 1800 with their production of the spectacular Romance entitled "Blue Beard, or Female Curiosity."

An examination of two works by artist John Lewis Krimmel, as they relate to the history of theater and public performance in early 19th Century Philadelphia.

The final installment of our story about John Bill Ricketts, with more adventures about his equestrian circus and theatrical troupe.

John Bill Ricketts completes his 1793 season of shows in Philadelphia - and gets out of town just in time to avoid the Yellow Fever.

We look at 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.

John Bill Ricketts, the English Equestrian, arrives in Philadelphia, and attracts the attention of a Very Important Person.