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Artwork for Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Peter Schmitz
Philadelphia
Walnut Street Theatre
Herbert J. Biberman
Diana Barrymore
Philadelphia, United States
Centennial Exposition
Albert Innaurato
Philadelphia Opera
Hollywood Ten
Theater Guild
Trocadero Theater
Lantern Theater Company
Egopo Classic Theater
Arden Theatre Company
Gemini
Lantern Theatre Company
Green Grows the Lilacs
John Barrymore
Natoma (victor Herbert)
Arden Theatre

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!

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes132Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Latest Episodes

An interview with Jen Childs and Pete Pryor, the founders of 1812 Productions, the only Philadelphia theater company dedicated to comedy.

A blog post with images from this episode can be found HERE.

A full pictorial history of 1812's past shows can... more

YouTube

Our interview with the great Philadelphia actress Mary Martello. Join us as she shares the fascinating story of her life and her career.

To see photos and images of Mary some of the many roles she had performed over her career, see this blog post on... more

YouTube

A newly-revised and improved edition of our examination of the final two decades that Edwin Forrest spent in Philadelphia - and his lasting legacy in the city.

For photographs and additional commentary about this topic, see our website's blog post! more

YouTube

During the Great Depression years of the 1930s, some touring Broadway shows got into trouble in Philadelphia.

"The People's Mayor" S. Davis Wilson had his limits when it came to what he would allow in the city's theaters, and plays such as Tobacco ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Lane Savedove
Founder and longtime artistic director, EgoPo Classic Theater
EgoPo Classic Theater
Episode: Lane Savadove and EgoPo
John Henry Hepp
Professor emeritus of history at Wilkes University; Philadelphia Centennial Exposition expert
Wilkes University
Episode: Centennial Summer: Looking Back to 1876 - A Special Episode
Donald Travis Stewart
TravSD, author and cultural historian specializing in vaudeville and theater history
Travalanche; author of No Applause, Just Throw Money
Episode: Centennial Summer: Looking Back to 1876 - A Special Episode
Stacy Maria Dutton
Executive director, Lantern Theater Company
Lantern Theater Company
Episode: The Lantern Theater
Charles McMahon
Artistic director, Lantern Theater Company
Lantern Theater Company
Episode: The Lantern Theater
Grace Gonglewski
Philadelphia actress with a 40-year history at Walnut Street Theatre and Arden Theatre, interviewed about her career and local theater scene
Actor, Walnut Street Theatre, Arden Theatre, Philadelphia area theater companies
Episode: Interview: Grace Gonglewski
Charlie Gilbert
Composer, teacher, and writer who collaborated with Albert Innaurato on Gemini
University affiliations and local theater institutions
Episode: Albert Innaurato and "Gemini"
Abigail Adams
Longtime associate artistic director and director at People's Light
People's Light Theatre
Episode: Abigail Adams and Marcia Saunders at People's Light
Marcia Saunders
Actor, director, and longtime member of People's Light
People's Light Theatre
Episode: Abigail Adams and Marcia Saunders at People's Light

Host

Peter Schmitz
Host of Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • 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 th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    caro_lean
    United States3 years ago
  • 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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Izzy’sFried
    United States3 years ago
  • Just terrific

    It IS just terrific!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bob Goren
    United States3 years ago
  • Informative, enlightening, and engaging

    Peter Schmitz’ deeply researched podcast uncovers important moments in Philadelphia theatre history, providing helpful context and insights, as well as resources for those of us interested in further digging. I am so grateful to have stumbled upon this and could not hit the subscribe button fast enough.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AngelPirateNY
    United States4 years ago
  • Fun and informative!

    Great Listening. Peter graciously expresses his enthusiasm for the subject with each anecdote he tells. Like a seasoned storyteller, Peter shares such interesting facts with style. And this is well researched. As a big philly theater fan, this is a must-hear.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tg53
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show weaves American theater history with local Philadelphia culture really well.
The host's deep research and storytelling bring Philly theatre history to life.
Production quality and scholarly approach make it a standout for archival content.
Listeners appreciate the helpful resources and sources provided in show notes.
It's engaging and informative, though occasionally quiet in volume.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Interview: Grace Gonglewski
Q: What was it like starting your career in Philadelphia and choosing to stay local instead of chasing New York opportunities?
Grace describes prioritizing meaningful work and community over chasing Broadway, valuing opportunities to perform classic plays and nurture new playwrights in Philadelphia.
Brian Anthony Wilson
Q: How did your early training and local theater work shape your approach to on-screen acting later in your career?
Local theater grounded me in a strong work ethic and a willingness to take risks, especially in challenging productions like the August Wilson plays at Bushfire. The experience taught me to bring truth to performance, to handle big stage energy, and to translate that presence into clear on-screen storytelling.
Brian Anthony Wilson
Q: Brian, tell us about yourself. What is your origin story? How did you get your superpowers?
I was born and raised in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, with a family that loved music and drama, which planted the seeds. My acting truly clicked after discovering Freedom Theater and a pivotal early mentor, John Allen, who pushed me into performances and showed me the pathways in the city's theater scene.
Centennial Summer: Looking Back to 1876 - A Special Episode
Q: How did these events influence later touring circuits and the legitimacy of popular entertainment?
Points about the rise of touring companies, the role of rail and telegraph/telephone in booking acts, and the shift toward family-friendly, respectable entertainment.
Centennial Summer: Looking Back to 1876 - A Special Episode
Q: So Trav, you contacted me about this idea; what first attracted you to the notion of World's Fairs as a cultural phenomenon?
Trav explains his fascination with the performing arts potential at expositions and his broader interest in how fairs intersect with vaudeville history.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deeply researched show exploring Philadelphia's theater history through interviews with curators, artists, and local companies. Episodes cover everything from landmark venues and archival collections to the lives of notable actors, directors, and producers, with a strong emphasis on how Philadelphia's cultural memory intersects with broader American theater history. Notable strengths include rigorous scholarship, on-site storytelling, and a clear passion for making local theater history accessible and engaging for both residents and curious newcomers. The format often combines archival material, personal reminiscences, and contextual analysis, making it a rich resource for researchers, educators, and fans of period theater alike.

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1. Decoder Ring
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4. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
5. Throughline

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this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 132 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Lane Savedove
2. John Henry Hepp
3. Donald Travis Stewart
4. Stacy Maria Dutton
5. Charles McMahon
6. Grace Gonglewski
7. Charlie Gilbert
8. Abigail Adams

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