Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

John A. Arneaux billed himself as "The Black Booth" and starred in a one-night all-Black production of Shakespeare's "Richard III' at Philadelphia's prestigious Academy of Music in January 1887. Who was he, where had he come from, and why had he chosen Philadelphia for this audacious feat? We explore his fascinating story in the first of our two episodes about him. Th...

Before ending their occupation of Philadelphia in 1778, the British threw themselves a hell of a theatre party! Knights and heralds, pageantry and theatricals, pomp and parading, feasting and flirting, all-night dancing and oh-so-many borrowed mirrors. Learn all about it from Peter's reading of the chapter "Oh, It's a Lovely War: The Mischianza 1778" from Thomas H. Keels'...

The story of one of America's most infamous - and influential - performance traditions, as it specifically relates to the history of theater in Philadelphia. For blog post with images and more thoughts about this topic, go HERE An additional blog post, with the complete entry from The New York Clipper about the 'Ira Aldridge Troupe' in 1863, can be found HERE If you liked the show,...

The famous 19th Century American tragic actress - and the 2Oth Century Philadelphia women who founded an organization in her honor. Check out all our recent episodes  about Philadelphia's "Theatre History" or its "Theater History" - however, you spell it, this is the podcast for you! For a blog post on our website about this episode, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog...

Mike Lueger of "The Theatre History Podcast" interviews Dr. Christian DuComb about the history of Philadelphia Mummers Parade, the history behind the iconic annual Philadelphia event, and the 'Mummers Wench'. Although I've added some additional material, this interview was originally released as Episode 55 of  Mike's "The Theatre History Podcast." There are...

What was Philadelphia to do, in an age when theater audiences were Running Riot? Why, of course! . .  build them an Academy, and fill it with Grand Opera. The early history of the most famous and most beautiful surviving 19th Century theaters in Philadelphia. See the Blog Post for this Episode on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/the-broad-street-opera-house-blog-post-and-bibliography-...

Bad behavior, bigotry and boorishness were often on display in many early 19th Century theater audiences. Philadelphia's New Theatre, on Chestnut Street, as well as being the premiere home for drama in America, could also be the site of riots, uproar - and cruelty. Three stories, all found in the published memoirs of manager and actor William H. Wood, serve to illustrate what a rough experien...

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, an exploration of performances by Indigenous People in theaters of the City of Philadelphia in the 19th Century. We also detail plays by white performers that supposedly depicted Native people and stories in that period. The attached image for the episode is a detail of an illustration found in the book "History of the Indian Tribes of North America...

Louisa Lane Drew was a prominent lady in Philadelphia,  known for her management of "Mrs. John Drew's Arch Street Theatre". We continue the story we began in Part One, and complete our examination of her life and career, covering the period from 1862 to 1897. We even finally bring on the Barrymores! And, of course, Mrs. Malaprop. Voice of Mrs. Drew performed by Susan Riley Stevens....

Louisa Lane Drew was a prominent lady in Philadelphia,  known for her management of "Mrs. John Drew's Arch Street Theatre". We begin the story of her rise to fame and respectability, and chronicle her early years, long before she became the grandmother of All Them Barrymores. For images and additional commentary about this topic, as well as a bibliography of our sources, see our web...

Fanny Kemble feels trapped in her new marriage, and learns the stark truth about American slavery and how she herself has become implicated in its horrors. We detail in this episode how, after a long struggle, she finally works her way back to moral clarity and and financial independence. It has to do with the power of Shakespeare, it turns out! For images and additional commentary about this topi...

Fanny Kemble and her father Charles Kemble, representatives of the most famous English theatrical family of their day, appeared at both the Chestnut Street Theatre and Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia in the early 1830s, during their tour of America. Her performances would help to change the role of women on the American stage, and her stay in Philadelphia would have a transformative effect o...

Edwin Forrest returns to his home city in the final decades of his life. He keeps performing on the city's stages, and creates his long-term legacy in Philadelphia. For photographs and additional commentary about this topic, see our website's blog post! https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/Episode-15-See-The-Players-Well-Bestowed/ For more about Edwin Forrest and the Astor Place Riots, which...

The second installment of the story of Philadelphia's own Edwin Forrest, the first great star of the American Stage! In this episode we cover the period from 1829 to 1836, when he was building the repertoire of roles that would shape his career: Metamora, Spartacus, and Jack Cade. You can learn more about our podcast, find additional episodes and blog posts, and leave a review of the show at...

This is an edited version of the interview with Peter Schmitz by Mike Lueger of "The Theatre History Podcast". In the interview, Peter tries to answer Mike's many excellent questions about this podcast, such as: "Why Philadelphia?" To listen to more episode of The Theatre History Podcast, go to: https://theatrehistorypodcast.net/ If you liked the show, leave a Review on Ap...

We begin to explore the story of Philadelphia's own Edwin Forrest, the first great star of the American Stage! We follow him from birth, through his early years, to his initial success. You can learn more about our podcast, find additional episodes and blog posts, and leave a review of the show at our website: www. AITHpodcast.com To view a blog post and bibliography about today's episod...

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. In this episode we go on exploration of how theater fires in the 1800s affect the physical environment that we experience plays in today. To view the episode blog entry with...

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 complete our multi-episode exploration of Philadelphia Theater History in the period from 1793-1820.  To view the episode blog entry with illustrations, a map, and a bibliograph...

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 stories of his wild behavior. Other things about him still remain in Philadelphia, too . . . Want to see illustrations and more commentary about this topic? Go to our website&apos...

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 seasons of plays and spectacles. Some historical figures of our story depart, and some new ones arrive. Benefits are awarded to all! On our website, you can see a full blog post ab...

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 taking place! Join us on this Adventure in Theater History, as we take a snapshot of early American theater on the cusp of the 19th Century. To see a full blog en...

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—an Oyster Barrow in front of the Chestnut Street Theater", Metropolitan Museum of Art Collections. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/12739 The second i...

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 by Gilbert Stuart. The Circus and Art Pantheon  becomes a major fixture of Philadelphia's social scene in the transition from the Washington to the Adams Administration....

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 to the city, much later, he builds a new Circus and Art Pantheon right where the political leadership of the United States can easily find him - right across the corner...

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 of the British Museum, used by permission) Go to our website for a blog post with more illustrations and a bibliography of source material used in our research: /blog/episode-4...