Episodes

"Pal Joey," "Native Son," "Annie Get Your Gun"  - during the years of the Second World War, there was a new surge of exciting Broadway productions trying out in Philadelphia.

A reissue of our conversation with scholar Jonathan Shandell and director Jerrell Henderson, about a little-known chapter of Philadelphia's theater history.

Philadelphia enters the Great Depression, and wrecking crews were tearing down many of the city's grand old theaters.

"Pretty Lady" has its opening night in Philadelphia! A dramatic reading - underscored with evocative musical accompaniment.

The final tour of veteran actor John Drew Jr.,  from a memoir written by the actress Peggy Wood.

Broadway tryouts and tours and revues were constantly coming to Philadelphia's many large and luxurious theaters during the 1920s.

The story of the Shubert Brothers, and how they began to take control over almost every commercial theater in Philadelphia.

The "Little Theater Movement" arrives in Philadelphia, bringing modern plays and creating new venues  - including the Walnut Street Theatre.

Featured are stories about the tightrope sensation El Nino Eddie, "Hitchy-Koo; the Intimate Revue," The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Timbuktu!, Signor Blitz - and many other tales about Philadelphia theater history.

Stories of many notable vaudevillians who came from Philadelphia, including W.C. Fields, Ethel Barrymore, and Ethel Waters.

The exciting energy and show-biz hustle of Philadelphia's vaudeville theaters in the first decades of the 20th Century.

In the fall of 1915, D.W. Griffith's "The Birth of a Nation" was booked to play at the Forrest Theatre - but would Philadelphia's city authorities allow it to be shown?

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...

Philadelphia actress, director and educator Penelope Reed sits down for an interview with us, and shares fascinating memories of her long career.

Fires were a real danger in 19th Century theater, and some Philadelphia theaters were burned down and rebuilt multiple times. Many performers, audience members, and firefighters lost their lives.

First released as Episode 10 in May of 2021, we bring out this great story once again!

Opposition to Andre Gregory's artistic leadership rises, and eventually matters come to a head after the production of the play "Beclch."

Our story continues, with the second season of Philadelphia's scrappy non-profit resident theater company.

Announcements, Corrections, Answers to questions from our listeners - and some exciting personal news!

Two Philadelphia area women begin the arduous process of bringing the skeptical Philly audience a non-profit theater. Andre Gregory becomes the theater's first Artistic Director

Could the first publicly funded and owned city theater survive in the rough-and-tumble of Philadelphia city politics?

An interview and tour with Bernard Havard, the Producing Artistic Director of the historic Walnut Street Theatre.

During the 1930s, some touring Broadway shows got into trouble in Philly with S. Davis Wilson, aka "The People's Mayor."

In the 1920s, Philadelphia theater censorship controversies arose about what women were wearing - or rather were NOT wearing - on the city's stages.