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 Gotterdammerung at the Academy of Music in 1948. 

To view images and additional details about all the stories in this episode - go to this blog post on our Patreon page! https://www.patreon.com/posts/121123422

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

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© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 hilarious episodes from his youth.

A good photo essay about the history of The Troc can be found in this online article by writer Thom Carroll in the Philly Voice: https://www.phillyvoice.com/photos-100-years-trocadero-theatre/

It is our podcast's 5th Birthday! So we are releasing a special treat for our listeners - a treasure taken from our vault of Bonus Episodes of our Patreon page.

Please consider becoming a supporter of our show on Patreon! The link is here:
https://www.patreon.com/c/AITHpodcast

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Support our work and get BONUS EPISODES on Patreon! GO HERE

© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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, through her successes on stage, her failures in filmdom . . to her sad and sordid end.

But is she really just another celebrity cautionary tale? There's more to her story than got told in the tabloids.

As you listen, for a selection of photos of Diana, and other fascinating images about the events we discuss in this episode, GO HERE.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Support our work and get BONUS EPISODES on Patreon! GO HERE

© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 "Hollywood Ten," a group of men known for their opposition to politically-motivated industry blacklists - and facing prison for refusing to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee.

But Biberman's Philadelphia origin story is almost completely unknown - because he wanted it that way. We investigate that story in this episode, and uncover much that had been hidden or unexamined - until now

For photos and images of Biberman, as well as many of the other people and plays we mention in this episode, go to our photo essay on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/images-for-he-of-119082063

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Support our work and get BONUS EPISODES on Patreon! GO HERE

© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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.

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Support our work and get BONUS EPISODES on Patreon! GO HERE

© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 YouTube: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz8p6-LconE

But Gemini also served as a constant reminder that success can fleeting, and that an artist's personal demons can undermine their long-term reputation. 

We interview Charles Gilbert about his professional association and personal friendship with Innaurato, as they tried to turn Gemini into a work of musical theater in the early 2000s.

Charles Gilbert's posts on Substack, which form the basis of our conversation, can be found here:

https://chasgilbert.substack.com/p/me-and-albert-a-collaborators-story

https://chasgilbert.substack.com/p/me-and-albert-part-2

For information about EgoPo Theatre Co. and their upcoming production of Gemini: https://egopo.org/gemini

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Support our work and get BONUS EPISODES on Patreon! GO HERE

© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 Steel Magnolias at People's Light: https://www.peopleslight.org/whats-on/20252026-season/steel-magnolias/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Support our work and get BONUS EPISODES on Patreon! GO HERE

© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 to perform in all the plays of August Wilson (no relation!). And he shares this thoughts about the state of African-American theater in the Quaker City at the beginning of the 21st Century.

For a blog page with photos and additional info go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/king-brian-the-first/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Support our work and get BONUS EPISODES on Patreon! GO HERE

© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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 life and work of Louis Lippa (1928-2018), see this page on the website of People's Light and Theatre Company, where he was a playwright-in-residence for 30 years: https://www.peopleslight.org/about/in-memoriam-louis-lippa-1928-2018/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Support our work and get BONUS EPISODES on Patreon! GO HERE

© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

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!

A blog post with images from our visit to the Walnut can be found on our website:

https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/photos-for-the-walls-of-walnut-street/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address is [email protected]

Follow us on social media:

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

Support our work and get BONUS EPISODES on Patreon! GO HERE

© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.