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 illustrations and a bibliography, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/burning-down-the-house-blog-post-and-bibliography-for-episode-12/

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"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

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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.

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 bibliography, go to:
https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/episode-11-The-Theatrical-Commonwealth/

If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

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Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/

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Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: [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.

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's blog post! https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/episode-10-George-Frederick-Cooke/

If you liked the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

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Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/

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Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

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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 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 about the episode, with a map of Philadelphia in 1800, additional images of people mentioned in the show, further explanations of historical material, and a selected bibliography of source material: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/episode-9-chaos-on-chestnut-and-walnut-streets/

If you like the show, leave a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-theater-history-philadelphia/id1562046673

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Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/

To become a supporter the show, go to: [email protected]

To email us: [email protected]

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: [email protected]

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

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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.

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 entry about this episode, including more illustrations, explanations, and a selected bibliography of source material, go to  /blog/episode-8-new-years-day-at-the-new-theatre-1800/

If you like 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/

Our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/

To become a supporter the show, go to: [email protected]

To email us: [email protected]

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: [email protected]

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

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

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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.

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 image can be found online at: "Exhibition of Indian Tribal Ceremonies at the Olympic Theater, Philadelphia, 1811–ca. 1813", Metropolitan Museum of Art Collections:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/12717

Or you can see both these images, and also copies of the historic Philadelphia newspaper ads about the Native Americans dances at the New Theatre in 1802 and the Olympic Theatre in 1812 in the website blog for the podcast:  /blog/two-paintings-at-the-met/

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: [email protected]

Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social

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

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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 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. But troubles begin to mount as Ricketts's shows get increasingly elaborate with special effects like onstage volcanoes - and fire and wooden buildings are not a good combination . . .

(Portait of Ricketts from the collection of the National Gallery, Washington, DC. For more illustrations and information, see the episode blog post on our website: /blog/episode-6-ricketts-circus-in-the-capital-city-part-four/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

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To become a supporter the show, go to: [email protected]

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: [email protected]

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.

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 of Sixth and Chestnut Street. However, the management of the New Theatre is not pleased with the competition from their new neighbor.

(Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania)

Blog post: /blog/episode-5-ricketts-circus-and-art-pantheon/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

To become a supporter the show, go to: [email protected]

To contact us, our email is: [email protected]

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: [email protected]

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.

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-phillip-astley/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/

To become a supporter the show, go to: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: [email protected]

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.

John Bill Ricketts, the English Equestrian, arrives in Philadelphia, and attracts the attention of a Very Important Person. How did Philadelphia become the site of the First American Circus? Listen in and find out! (Image courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum)

Go to our website for a blog post with more images and a bibliography of source material: "Ricketts' Circus"

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

Our website: www.aithpodcast.com

Our email address: [email protected]

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.