Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia
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!
Episodes
124 episodes
The Ghost Theaters of Callowhill Street
A modern walking tour along a noisy street - with the narrative of a long-forgotten theater district of Philadelphia's near north side! For a blog post with images and photos of the theaters and streets we discuss in the episode, go to:...
The Lantern Theater
Back-to-back interviews about the past - and the future - of the Lantern Theater. Peter talks with Stacy Maria Dutton and Charles McMahon.For a blog post with images relating to this episode go here:
Interview: Grace Gonglewski
A conversation with Grace Gonglewski, who has been performing and creating in Philadelphia theaters for the last four decades! She shares with us her memories of her life and work.
Three Nights at the Opera
Three tales from the deep annals of Philadelphia opera history . . . . from a fantastical account of a performance of Guy Mannering in the 1840s, to the world premiere of Victor Herbert's Natoma in 1911, to a final G...
"A Lament for The Troc" - Special Episode!
In the Spring of 1978, "The Troc" - Philadelphia's longtime notorious burlesque house on Arch Street - closed for business. The journalist Edgar Williams composed this poetic farewell to the site of so many vivid, poignant, and hila...
Diana Barrymore - Too Much, Too Soon
It might seem to be a lurid Hollywood tale . . . but is it really a Philadelphia theater story?Here's our take on the life and times of the actress Diana Barrymore, eldest daughter of John Barrymore - from her privileged beginnings, thro...
Before he was "One of the Hollywood Ten"
Herbert J. Biberman, the screenwriter, director and left-wing activist, was once one of the most well-known men in show biz - but not, unfortunately for his talent or his intellect. In 1950, he became famous for being one of the "H...
Starting on the Third Floor - and Going Up
The rise of the Arden Theatre Company - as well as the story of the beginnings of the modern Walnut Street Theatre Company and the Lantern Theater Company.
Albert Innaurato and "Gemini"
The story of Albert Innaurato and his play "Gemini." Set in South Philadelphia in the 1970s, it was to become the biggest commercial and artistic triumph of his career.The famous TV commercial for the original Broadway production is on Y...
Abigail Adams and Marcia Saunders at People's Light
The director Abigail Adams and the actress Marcia Saunders talk to us about their lives and careers, and about how their theatrical and artistic home at People's Light in Malvern, Pennsylvania.To learn more about the production of <...
Brian Anthony Wilson
As a Holiday, treat, the Philadelphia actor Brian Wilson talks with us about his life and career. Brian tells us about his memories - everything from his roles on "The Wire," to his work with the director Walter Dallas, to his quest...
Chris & Louis Lippa: A House Remembered is Never Dark
A conversation with Chris Lippa about the life and work of his father, the late Louis Lippa, the Philadelphia playwright and actor - and about Chris' vision to make a real home for the history of theater in the city.For a tribute to the ...
Encore Episode: The Walls of Walnut Street
A reprise of our 2023 interview with Bernard Havard of the Walnut Street Theatre - including a tour of the historic building. Newly remixed, and with a new introduction and extra content about our upcoming episodes of the podcast!
Interview: Bruce Graham
We talk with Bruce Graham - a son of Ridley Township in Delaware County who has been writing, teaching, and performing in Philadelphia since the 1980s. Graham has written dozens of plays which have been produced everywhere from Lo...
Carol Rocamora and Michael Hollinger - New Plays for Philadelphia
An interview with writer, director, translator and theater critic Carol Rocamora, who founded the Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays in 1981, and was its Artistic Director to 1994. Philadelphia-area playwright Michael Hollinger...
Seth Rozin and InterAct
A conversation with Seth Rozin, the founder and artistic director of InterAct Theatre of Philadelphia. Seth shares some great stories about the early years of the company, including the tour of Ireland in the autumn of 1988, the creatio...
Interview: Tom Teti
A conversation with actor Tom Teti about his life, his career in Philadelphia theater, and his long association with People's Light and Theatre Company in Malvern.For a blog post with images and additional information about Tom's career,...
Blanka and Pat's Excellent Adventure
Director Blanka Zizka and stage manager Patreshettarlini Adams talk about their decades of work at the Wilma Theater, sharing stories of their longstanding artistic collaboration and deep friendship. And they agree that "Theater is Music." ...
The Wilma Story, Part Two
The history of Philadelphia's Wilma Theater during the 1990s, with archival recordings of the voices of Jiri and Blanka Zizka.For images and additional information about this episode, see the blog post on our website
The Wilma Story, Part One
The voices of Jiri and Blanka Zizka help to narrate the history of Philadelphia's Wilma Theater during the 1980s.For images and additional information about this episode, see the blog post on our website
Marcia Ferguson: How the Zizkas Changed the Landscape of Philly Theater
A conversation about the impact that Blanka and Jiri Zizka had on the Philadelphia theater scene in the 1980s and 90s. If you have not yet listened to our Episode 97, "Off-Off Broad Street," in which we discuss the history of "The Wilma...
A Festival of Music Theater
Charlie Gilbert returns to talk about the music theater and the many new musicals being created and developed in Philadelphia during the 1980s and 90s.We discuss the founding and early years of the American Music Theatre Festival, musica...
Memories of the Freedom Theatre
An interview with actor Johnnie Hobbs and choreographer Patricia Scott Hobbs about the Freedom Theatre in North Philadelphia. In an archival recording, the Philadelphia composer and teacher Charles Gilbert talks to his longtime frie...
The Joe Canuso Interview
Director and Producer Joe Canuso sits down with us to talk about his life and career in Philly theater.From acting at the Pocket Playhouse in the 70s, performing with dance troupes in the 80s, creating cutting-edge shows for the new Fri...
Interview: Sara Garonzik and the Philadelphia Theatre Company
A conversation with one of the longest-serving and most consequential artistic directors and producers of the modern era of Philadelphia theater history, Sara Garonzik. As we continue our Season Four, we learn about her early years - fi...
