76 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

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 23 Ratings

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!

    "Guys and Dolls" in Philadelphia

    "Guys and Dolls" in Philadelphia

    The most iconic New York musical ever is saved by Philadelphia tryout audiences.For a blog post on our website with additional information and images, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/luck-be-a-lady/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.comOr, follow us on Mastodon: https://historians.soci...

    • 30 min
    Aftershock: The Serious Reckoning

    Aftershock: The Serious Reckoning

    Post-war theater in Philadelphia reflected all the many serious issues the country was facing: Carmen Jones, A Streetcar Named Desire, Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Member of the Wedding and Death of a Salesman all had tryout premieres in Philadelphia - among many others.For a blog post on our website with additional information and images, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/this-train-is-a-goin-home-train/If you enjoyed the show, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW! You can do it easily, right...

    • 32 min
    "Kiss Me, Kate" World Premiere

    "Kiss Me, Kate" World Premiere

    The story of Cole Porter's classic musical Kiss Me, Kate's world premier opening in Philadelphia in December of 1948. For a blog post on our website, with images from the productions we discuss in the episode:https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/rings-and-things-and-fine-array/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: AIT...

    • 23 min
    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 ...

    • 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 additi...

    • 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/id1562046673Write to u...

    • 44 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
23 Ratings

23 Ratings

caro_lean ,

Great find!

If you love the theatrical arts, architecture, history or Philly, this is a great channel. Very well researched and produced. The Vaudeville part 1 podcast was fascinating as it wove together descriptions of Mae West’s appearances in Philly, the sumptuousness of the Keith Theatre and the history of Vaudeville. The Clansman podcast was tough to listen to but an invaluable insight into what African Americans have had to face in their continuing pursuit of freedom, equality and opportunity in the US. Looking forward to listening to more from the archive!

Izzy’sFried ,

Izzy

Agree with other reviewers. This podcast sheds light not only on Phila theatre history — this is American theatre history. The generational lines reach to present day Drew Barrymore and others. And as a lifelong Philadelphian, I enjoy walking the streets and imagining or remembering where the theaters referenced were or are! The storyteller brings us there.

Bob Goren ,

Just terrific

It IS just terrific!!

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