73 episodes
Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia Peter Schmitz
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- History
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5.0 • 23 Ratings
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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!
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
Customer Reviews
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
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.
Just terrific
It IS just terrific!!