Season 1
28. Life & Death in the Theater: More 19th Century Stories
Here are six more stories of 19th C. Philadelphia theater. We discuss Alexander Reinagle, Joseph Jefferson III, James Murdoch, Ma…
27. The Best of Times
From the 1876 Centennial Exposition to the end of the 19th Century, Philadelphia's experienced a boom in theater construction. Ne…
26. The Black Booth: Part Two
John A. Arneaux plays "Richard III" at the Academy of Music, then mysteriously exits the American stage. His co-star, the actor H…
25. The Black Booth: Part One
John A. Arneaux starred in a one-night all-Black production of "Richard III' at Philadelphia's Academy of Music in January 1887. …
Special Episode: The Mischianza
Before ending their occupation of Philadelphia in 1778, the British threw themselves a hell of a theatre party! Knights and heral…
24. The Everlasting Minstrel Show
The story of one of America's most infamous - and influential - performance traditions, as it specifically relates to the history…
23. The Charlotte Cushman Club
The famous 19th Century American tragic actress - and the 2Oth Century Philadelphia women who founded an organization in her hono…
Special Episode: The Mummers Parade - An interview with Dr. Christian…
Mike Lueger of "The Theatre History Podcast" interviews Dr. Christian DuComb about the history of Philadelphia Mummers Parade, th…
22. The Academy of Music
What was Philadelphia to do, in an age when theater audiences were Running Riot? Why, of course! . . build them an Academy, and …
21. Theater of Cruelty
Bad behavior, bigotry and boorishness! Philadelphia's New Theatre on Chestnut Street, as well as being the premiere home for dram…
20. "I Fear No One" - Native American Performance in 19th Century Phi…
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, an exploration of performances by Indigenous People in theaters of the City of Philad…
19. The Duchess of Arch Street, Part Two
"Mrs. John Drew's Arch Street Theatre" was the most famous company in Philadelphia, during the period from 1862 to 1897. We even …
18. The Duchess of Arch Street, Part One
Louisa Lane Drew's rise to fame and respectability. We chronicle her early years, long before she became the grandmother of All T…
17. Fanny Kemble, Part Two
Fanny Kemble, trapped in her new marriage, learns the stark truth about American slavery and how she herself has become implicate…
16. Fanny Kemble, Part One
Fanny Kemble's performances would help to change the role of women on the American stage, and her stay in Philadelphia would have…
15. Forrest of Philadelphia, Part Three
Edwin Forrest returns to his home city in the final decades of his life. He keeps performing on the city's stages, and creates hi…
14. Forrest of Philadelphia, Part Two
Edwin Forrest builds the repertoire of new roles that would shape his career: Metamora, Spartacus, and Jack Cade.
Special Episode: Interview by "The Theatre History Podcast"
This is an edited version of the interview with Peter Schmitz by Mike Lueger of "The Theatre History Podcast". In the interview, …
13. Forrest of Philadelphia, Part One
We follow Philadelphia's own great tragedian Edwin Forrest from birth, through his early years, to his initial success.
12. Stages of Fire
How Philadelphia'a many theater fires in the 1800s affect the physical environment of plays, even today.
11. The Theatrical Commonwealth
Wars, fires, melodramas, circuses, balloons, and ice cream . . . as we complete our multi-episode exploration of Philadelphia T…
10. George Frederick Cooke Heads to Philadelphia
George Frederick Cooke, one of the greatest actors of the English stage, came to Philadelphia in 1811. In a very real way, he's s…
9. Chaos Comes to Walnut Street
The hurricanes of World History blow a French equestrian circus company all the way to Philadelphia, and the Walnut Street Theatr…
8. New Year's Day at the New Theatre, 1800
Philadelphians ring in the New Year of 1800 with a spectacular staging of "Blue Beard, or Female Curiosity". Meanwhile, in the au…
7. Two Paintings at The Met
How two paintings - of a Black oyster-seller and a group of Native Americans - give us insights in the early theater of Philadelp…
6. Ricketts' Circus in the Capital City, Part Four
A Triumph, an International Tour, a Fire, and a Final Exit.
5. Ricketts' Circus in the Capital City, Part Three
John Bill Ricketts completes his 1793 season of shows in Philadelphia - just in time to avoid the Yellow Fever epidemic. But when…
4. Ricketts' Circus in the Capital City, Part Two
The influence of the English equestrian Phillip Astley, and how the equestrian circus was developing into an international form o…
3. Ricketts' Circus in the Capital City, Part One
How Philadelphia became the site of the First American Circus.
2. Early Philadelphia Theater in the 18th Century
A broad overview of Philadelphia theater and its contribution to American drama - from the founding of Pennsylvania to the end of…
1. Welcome to Adventures in Theater History
Why we're here, and what we're trying to do with our podcast. Peter tells the story of his own personal history, and how he star…