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Fires were a real danger in 19th Century theater, and some Philadelphia theaters were burned down and rebuilt multiple times. Inevitably, in some of these fires performers, audience members, and firefighters lost their lives....
Wars, fires, melodramas, circuses, balloons, and ice cream . . . plus, for even more excitement, an examination of the economic model of American Theater in its early years! Woohoo! They're all in this episode, as we complet...
George Frederick Cooke, one of the greatest actors of the English stage, came to town in 1811 while on a barnstorming tour of America. His performances of Shakespeare astonished audiences, and his visit left behind vivid stor...
The hurricanes of World History blow a French equestrian circus company all the way to Philadelphia. The Walnut Street Theatre is born. Meanwhile back on Chestnut Street, the New Theatre is forging ahead with its annual seaso...
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". Meanwhile, in the audience, there are other dramatic events ta...
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 first image can be found online at: "Nightlife in Philadelphia—...
The final installment of our story about John Bill Ricketts, with more adventures about his equestrian circus and theatrical troupe. We meet the American comedian and dancer John Durang, and Ricketts has his portrait painted ...
John Bill Ricketts completes his 1793 season of shows in Philadelphia - and gets out of town just in time to avoid the fate that laid low so many of Philadelphia's citizens that fateful year. But when Ricketts finally returns...
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. (Image: copyright of the Trustees o...
John Bill Ricketts, the English Equestrian, arrives in Philadelphia, and attracts the attention of a Very Important Person. How did Philadelphia become the site of the First American Circus? Listen in and find out! (Image cou...
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...
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 started on the task of researching, exploring, and teaching the history of the theater in Philadelph...