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An in-depth podcast about the history of American theater, with great entertainment values! We tell the stories about the fascinating world of theater in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania over the last three centuries.
Here are some great episodes to start with.
We begin our third season of adventures! Here we learn about the historical originas of the "Tryout Town" in American showbiz of the early 20th Century. We discuss the movie 42nd Street and discuss many touring shows that ca...
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 …
Why we're here, and what we're trying to do with our podcast. Peter tells the story of his own personal history, and how he started on the task of researching, exploring, and teaching the history of the theater in Philadelph...
Above, a photo of the final tableaux of Act One, from the original 1948 production of Kiss Me, Kate. Below, Albert Drake and Patricia Morrison.Below, a cartoon by Jo Metzer from the Philadelphia Inquirer, showing Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne in th…
October 26, 1942: "Getting Ready for All-Soldier Show Opening" was the caption in the Inquirer. Two servicemen/stagehands prepare for Irving Berlin's patriotic show This is the Army at the Mastbaum Theatre.Below, while in town to appear at the openi…
Above, the Mastbaum Theatre during its demolition, 1958. The Mastbaum did not meet its end until two decades after the events we discuss in Episode 71. Still, I thought this image belonged here with the rest of the photos of Lost Philadelphia Theate…