Reviews

ONGOING FAVE!!!

I believe every theater major should know about the show. Every theater professor, every acting coach, every actor and actress, producer and director and the great mass of theater enthusiasts need to have this show waved in front of them like a luscious red flag. Exciting. Fun. Give me more stars to tap, please!

Todd Kimmell, AKA Taff Appleton
April 7, 2024

Great find!

If you love the theatrical arts, architecture, history or Philly, this is a great channel. Very well researched and produced. The Vaudeville part 1 podcast was fascinating as it wove together descriptions of Mae West’s appearances in Philly, the sumptuousness of the Keith Theatre and the history of Vaudeville. The Clansman podcast was tough to listen to but an invaluable insight into what African Americans have had to face in their continuing pursuit of freedom, equality and opportunity in the US. Looking forward to listening to more from the archive!

caro_lean
Dec. 2, 2023

Izzy

Agree with other reviewers. This podcast sheds light not only on Phila theatre history — this is American theatre history. The generational lines reach to present day Drew Barrymore and others. And as a lifelong Philadelphian, I enjoy walking the streets and imagining or remembering where the theaters referenced were or are! The storyteller brings us there.

Izzy’sFried
Oct. 24, 2023

Just terrific

It IS just terrific!!

Bob Goren
Oct. 21, 2023

Very Informative

This is a great podcast that teaches me about things I had no idea about before.

Max in Pittsburgh
June 1, 2023

Wow!!!

This second season of this podcast is fantastic. The episodes on Hammerstein’s Opera House are well-paced with compelling details about the growing culture of theater in Philadelphia in the early 1900s

Mary Santen
Feb. 10, 2023

Informative, enlightening, and engaging

Peter Schmitz’ deeply researched podcast uncovers important moments in Philadelphia theatre history, providing helpful context and insights, as well as resources for those of us interested in further digging. I am so grateful to have stumbled upon this and could not hit the subscribe button fast enough.

AngelPirateNY
Jan. 14, 2023

Mutual Admiration Society

Peter and I are both non-native Philadelphians who have fallen in love with the city so much we do historical podcasts about it. My knowledge of Philadelphia Theaters used to be almost nothing. Now I can talk about the subject with some authority. AITH is informative and entertaining. I look forward to each episode. What more do you want from a podcast?

jrlexjr
Dec. 27, 2022

Well Researched and Compelling

Fascinating history I had never heard before. Such good use of historical records combined with thoughtful analysis and entertaining delivery.

Lauren I
Dec. 27, 2022

Fun and informative!

Great Listening. Peter graciously expresses his enthusiasm for the subject with each anecdote he tells. Like a seasoned storyteller, Peter shares such interesting facts with style. And this is well researched. As a big philly theater fan, this is a must-hear.

tg53
Aug. 16, 2022

Great fun!

Peter's narrations are such fun to listen to. They are like theater history told to you as a bedtime time story by your favorite uncle. They're more than just entertainment, though; they're informative and well researched. Bravo to Mr. Schmitz and his team.

BobSinPhilly
July 23, 2022

Excellent Episode!

Fanny Kemble was a pivotal figure in changing U.S. attitudes about the respectability of theatre. I am very happy that you decided to focus on her for this episode. Your guest performer did an excellent job!

Dr. Kelly S. Taylor
Sept. 14, 2021

Thrilled

U.S. theatre history (particularly that which occurs outside NY) tends to be woefully under-explored despite the incredibly rich, sociologically relevant, politically explosive, and sometimes wonderfully wacky stories about life in this country it tells. I'm thrilled to see "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" fill in this gap without shying away from problematic topics of race, gender, and other issues. Keep up the great work!

Douglas F
June 17, 2021

Excellent content, very well-produced! Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

This is great, little-known content on the very rich history of theater in Philadelphia. The production is excellent: good pacing, great music and audio, pauses that let you rest for a moment, and the narration by host/actor Peter Schmitz is enthusiastic and fun. As a retired college librarian, I enjoy the emphasis on scholarship and research. The blog provides visuals, links, and sources so you can follow along or learn more. Really wonderful. #philadelphia #theater #theaterhistory #earlyamericantheater #philadelphiatheater #theaterpodcasts

sjmphila
April 16, 2021

You don't have to be from Philly to enjoy this show!

The title makes it seem like it's only meant for Philly people, but everyone can enjoy this podcast. It doesn't matter where you are from - or even if you don't already know much about Theatre, or History. The host does a great job of telling stories in a way that makes the subject fun. He's clearly having a lot of fun himself, which always makes for a good podcast experience.

Theater Phan
April 13, 2021