73 episodes

Bringing you the best stories from the deep and fascinating history of theater in the city of Philadelphia. This is the podcast for all lovers of theater, students of history - or anyone who enjoys great stories with lots of drama!

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia Peter Schmitz

    • History

Bringing you the best stories from the deep and fascinating history of theater in the city of Philadelphia. This is the podcast for all lovers of theater, students of history - or anyone who enjoys great stories with lots of drama!

    The Boom

    The Boom

    "Pal Joey," "Native Son," "Annie Get Your Gun"  - during the years of the Second World War, there was a new surge of exciting Broadway productions trying out in Philadelphia.

    But at the same time, the Shuberts' domination of the Philadelphia theater market was meeting increasing scrutiny. 

    For a blog post on our website, with images from the productions we discuss in the episode:
    https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/quaker-city-theater-in-the-war-years/

    If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
    https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

    If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

    Or, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast
    Support the show

    © Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.
    ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.
    ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

    • 39 min
    Encore Episode: Philadelphia's "Negro Unit" of the Federal Theatre Project

    Encore Episode: Philadelphia's "Negro Unit" of the Federal Theatre Project

    A reissue of our conversation with scholar Jonathan Shandell and director Jerrell Henderson, about a little-known chapter of Philadelphia's theater history.

    For a blog post on our website, with images from the productions we discuss in the episode:
    https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/jericho-one-third-of-a-nation-and-prelude-to-swing/

    If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right here:
    https://www.aithpodcast.com/reviews/

    If you have any questions, inquiries or additional comments, you can write us at our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com

    Or, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast
    Support the show

    © Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.
    ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.
    ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

    • 50 min
    The Crash

    The Crash

    Philadelphia enters the Great Depression. Although a few shows were still having their Broadway tryouts in Philly, it wasn't enough to keep the wrecking crews from tearing down many of the city's grand old theaters.

    To see images and to find more information about this episode, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-wrecking-ball/

    If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

    Write to us! aithpodcast@gmail.com

    Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

    Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz
    Support the show

    © Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.
    ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.
    ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

    • 44 min
    42nd Street

    42nd Street

    The fictional musical "Pretty Lady" has its opening night in Philadelphia!

    Another dramatic reading from the archives of Philadelphia theater history, underscored with evocative musical accompaniment.

    If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

    Write to us! aithpodcast@gmail.com

    Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

    Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz
    Support the show

    © Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.
    ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.
    ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

    • 33 min
    On The Road with John Drew

    On The Road with John Drew

    A story of an "All Star Cast" touring production in 1927. After the unexpected death of its star, the veteran actor John Drew Jr.,  company member Peggy Wood wrote this detailed memoir of his final tour.

    A dramatic reading from the archives of Philadelphia theater history, underscored with evocative musical accompaniment.

    For images of John Drew and Peggy Wood, see our blog: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/all-star-cast-trelawny-of-the-wells-episode-69/

    If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

    Write to us! aithpodcast@gmail.com

    Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

    Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz

    Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/

    To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com
    Support the show

    © Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.
    ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.
    ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

    • 44 min
    The Passing Shows of the 1920s

    The Passing Shows of the 1920s

    Broadway tryouts and tours and revues were constantly coming to Philadelphia's many large and luxurious theaters during the 1920s - here's a quick review of the revues!

    Even the Moscow Art Theatre came through town - as well as great productions of Eugene O'Neill plays.

    Philly was a real Tryout Town, with such great venues as the Erlanger, the Garrick, the Earle, the Shubert, and the Forrest, as well as the revamped and re-designed Chestnut Street Opera House and the the Walnut Street Theatre.

    For a blog post with images and additional content, go to our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/its-show-time/

    If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

    Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

    Mastodon: https://historians.social/@schmeterpitz

    Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/

    To become a supporter the show, go to: AITHpodcast@patreon.com



    Support the show

    © Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.
    ℗ All voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.
    ℗ All original music and compositions within the episodes copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

    • 36 min

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