Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia
@aithpodcast.bsky.social
The official feed of the podcast - AND THE BOOK - that tells the deep and fascinating History of Theater in the city of Philadelphia.
www.aithpodcast.com
(On the former Bird Site we were "@schmeterpitz")
www.aithpodcast.com
(On the former Bird Site we were "@schmeterpitz")
November 18, 1957: Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" had its world premiere in Philadelphia.
Philly native Iggie Wolfington played Marcellus Washburn in front of a hometown crowd at the Shubert Theatre.
Other Philly folk in the show were Helen Raymond (Mrs. Shinn) - and director Morton DaCosta.
Philly native Iggie Wolfington played Marcellus Washburn in front of a hometown crowd at the Shubert Theatre.
Other Philly folk in the show were Helen Raymond (Mrs. Shinn) - and director Morton DaCosta.
November 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
November 18, 1957: Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" had its world premiere in Philadelphia.
Philly native Iggie Wolfington played Marcellus Washburn in front of a hometown crowd at the Shubert Theatre.
Other Philly folk in the show were Helen Raymond (Mrs. Shinn) - and director Morton DaCosta.
Philly native Iggie Wolfington played Marcellus Washburn in front of a hometown crowd at the Shubert Theatre.
Other Philly folk in the show were Helen Raymond (Mrs. Shinn) - and director Morton DaCosta.
November 12, 1930: Cole Porter's musical "The New Yorkers" had its world premiere - in #Philadelphia, of course.
The Chestnut Street Opera House crowd, according to the Inquirer, "laughed themselves into hysterics."
During the Philly run, "Take Me Back to Manhattan" would be added to the show.
The Chestnut Street Opera House crowd, according to the Inquirer, "laughed themselves into hysterics."
During the Philly run, "Take Me Back to Manhattan" would be added to the show.
November 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
November 12, 1930: Cole Porter's musical "The New Yorkers" had its world premiere - in #Philadelphia, of course.
The Chestnut Street Opera House crowd, according to the Inquirer, "laughed themselves into hysterics."
During the Philly run, "Take Me Back to Manhattan" would be added to the show.
The Chestnut Street Opera House crowd, according to the Inquirer, "laughed themselves into hysterics."
During the Philly run, "Take Me Back to Manhattan" would be added to the show.
The entirety of Chapter 28 in Ethel Merman's memoirs:
November 9, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The entirety of Chapter 28 in Ethel Merman's memoirs:
A 60-second clip from our next podcast episode . . .
Local playwright Bruce Graham describes writing "The Philly Fan."
Releasing on Friday, November 7th!
#Philly #Philadelphia #theater #theater
Local playwright Bruce Graham describes writing "The Philly Fan."
Releasing on Friday, November 7th!
#Philly #Philadelphia #theater #theater
November 6, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A 60-second clip from our next podcast episode . . .
Local playwright Bruce Graham describes writing "The Philly Fan."
Releasing on Friday, November 7th!
#Philly #Philadelphia #theater #theater
Local playwright Bruce Graham describes writing "The Philly Fan."
Releasing on Friday, November 7th!
#Philly #Philadelphia #theater #theater
(3 of 3) Greenwood's big number was "Nobody's Chasing Me." It was a typical Cole Porter 'list" song:
"The cook is chasing the chicken
The pea wakes up, pee-wee-wee
The cat is taking a lickin’
But nobody’s taking me!"
Nobody wants to own me
And I object
Nobody wants to phone me
Even collect!
"The cook is chasing the chicken
The pea wakes up, pee-wee-wee
The cat is taking a lickin’
But nobody’s taking me!"
Nobody wants to own me
And I object
Nobody wants to phone me
Even collect!
November 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
(3 of 3) Greenwood's big number was "Nobody's Chasing Me." It was a typical Cole Porter 'list" song:
"The cook is chasing the chicken
The pea wakes up, pee-wee-wee
The cat is taking a lickin’
But nobody’s taking me!"
Nobody wants to own me
And I object
Nobody wants to phone me
Even collect!
"The cook is chasing the chicken
The pea wakes up, pee-wee-wee
The cat is taking a lickin’
But nobody’s taking me!"
Nobody wants to own me
And I object
Nobody wants to phone me
Even collect!
However the show centered his jealous wife Hera, played by a real-life goddess of the theater, Charlotte Greenwood.
Greenwood, in fact, was from #Philadelphia. But she had left to become an "eccentric dancer" in vaudeville. She was 6 feet tall and she could kick her leg up over her head. (2 of 3)
Greenwood, in fact, was from #Philadelphia. But she had left to become an "eccentric dancer" in vaudeville. She was 6 feet tall and she could kick her leg up over her head. (2 of 3)
November 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
However the show centered his jealous wife Hera, played by a real-life goddess of the theater, Charlotte Greenwood.
Greenwood, in fact, was from #Philadelphia. But she had left to become an "eccentric dancer" in vaudeville. She was 6 feet tall and she could kick her leg up over her head. (2 of 3)
Greenwood, in fact, was from #Philadelphia. But she had left to become an "eccentric dancer" in vaudeville. She was 6 feet tall and she could kick her leg up over her head. (2 of 3)
November 4, 1950: Cole Porter was back in Philadelphia with the premiere of "Out of This World." (Its songs included "Use Your Imagination," and "Cherry Pies Ought to Be You.")
It was a modern version of "Amphitryon," in which Zeus attempts to interfere in the marriage of a happy couple. (1 of 3)
It was a modern version of "Amphitryon," in which Zeus attempts to interfere in the marriage of a happy couple. (1 of 3)
November 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
November 4, 1950: Cole Porter was back in Philadelphia with the premiere of "Out of This World." (Its songs included "Use Your Imagination," and "Cherry Pies Ought to Be You.")
It was a modern version of "Amphitryon," in which Zeus attempts to interfere in the marriage of a happy couple. (1 of 3)
It was a modern version of "Amphitryon," in which Zeus attempts to interfere in the marriage of a happy couple. (1 of 3)
I mean . . . (finishes puzzle, hooks thumbs in suspenders, and arches eyebrows at the jury box) . . . I'm no Philadelphia lawyer, but I've done enough crossword puzzles in my time to know a lightweight tropical hat made firm by cork, pith or other fibers.
November 2, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I mean . . . (finishes puzzle, hooks thumbs in suspenders, and arches eyebrows at the jury box) . . . I'm no Philadelphia lawyer, but I've done enough crossword puzzles in my time to know a lightweight tropical hat made firm by cork, pith or other fibers.
Don't pith me off, Thpelling Bee.
November 2, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Don't pith me off, Thpelling Bee.
We released a new Bonus Episode on Patreon - "Plays We Passed."
Every month we release a new Bonus Episode for our generous supporters of our work. Just a few bucks gets you a whole lot of benefits!
Follow the link! There is both Free and 'Members Only' content.
www.patreon.com/cw/AITHpodcast
Every month we release a new Bonus Episode for our generous supporters of our work. Just a few bucks gets you a whole lot of benefits!
Follow the link! There is both Free and 'Members Only' content.
www.patreon.com/cw/AITHpodcast
November 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
We released a new Bonus Episode on Patreon - "Plays We Passed."
Every month we release a new Bonus Episode for our generous supporters of our work. Just a few bucks gets you a whole lot of benefits!
Follow the link! There is both Free and 'Members Only' content.
www.patreon.com/cw/AITHpodcast
Every month we release a new Bonus Episode for our generous supporters of our work. Just a few bucks gets you a whole lot of benefits!
Follow the link! There is both Free and 'Members Only' content.
www.patreon.com/cw/AITHpodcast
This is one of those days when I come across an item by chance in newspaper archives, and then I think immediately: "Oooh, I know somebody who will LOVE this. . . "
Turns out, #Philadelphia saw Viveca Lindfors' debut on the American stage, in a #johnvandruten play.
@bcdreyer.social
Turns out, #Philadelphia saw Viveca Lindfors' debut on the American stage, in a #johnvandruten play.
@bcdreyer.social
October 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
This is one of those days when I come across an item by chance in newspaper archives, and then I think immediately: "Oooh, I know somebody who will LOVE this. . . "
Turns out, #Philadelphia saw Viveca Lindfors' debut on the American stage, in a #johnvandruten play.
@bcdreyer.social
Turns out, #Philadelphia saw Viveca Lindfors' debut on the American stage, in a #johnvandruten play.
@bcdreyer.social
In our next episode, we interview the writer, director and translator Carol Rocamora, who founded and ran the Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays, and playwright Michael Hollinger.
Look for the entire conversation wherever you get your podcasts - releasing tomorrow, Friday October 24th!
Look for the entire conversation wherever you get your podcasts - releasing tomorrow, Friday October 24th!
October 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
In our next episode, we interview the writer, director and translator Carol Rocamora, who founded and ran the Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays, and playwright Michael Hollinger.
Look for the entire conversation wherever you get your podcasts - releasing tomorrow, Friday October 24th!
Look for the entire conversation wherever you get your podcasts - releasing tomorrow, Friday October 24th!
Who robbed the Louvre? The Phantom knows.
October 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Who robbed the Louvre? The Phantom knows.
Oct 18, 1934: Eva Le Gallienne and Ethel Barrymore opened in Rostand's "L'Aiglon" in Philadelphia.
Despite a famous incident from the previous year - when both actresses had insulted a group of Philadelphia society ladies - the production was warmly received by both audiences and critics. #theatre
Despite a famous incident from the previous year - when both actresses had insulted a group of Philadelphia society ladies - the production was warmly received by both audiences and critics. #theatre
October 18, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Oct 18, 1934: Eva Le Gallienne and Ethel Barrymore opened in Rostand's "L'Aiglon" in Philadelphia.
Despite a famous incident from the previous year - when both actresses had insulted a group of Philadelphia society ladies - the production was warmly received by both audiences and critics. #theatre
Despite a famous incident from the previous year - when both actresses had insulted a group of Philadelphia society ladies - the production was warmly received by both audiences and critics. #theatre
April 4, 1966: Jerry Herman's "Mame," starring Angela Lansbury, had its world premiere performance at the Shubert Theatre in Philadelphia.
The house was packed, wrote the Inquirer's critic, and "with not the slightest dissent from this reviewer, [all] seemed to think it was the opening of a hit."
The house was packed, wrote the Inquirer's critic, and "with not the slightest dissent from this reviewer, [all] seemed to think it was the opening of a hit."
October 17, 2025 at 12:09 AM
April 4, 1966: Jerry Herman's "Mame," starring Angela Lansbury, had its world premiere performance at the Shubert Theatre in Philadelphia.
The house was packed, wrote the Inquirer's critic, and "with not the slightest dissent from this reviewer, [all] seemed to think it was the opening of a hit."
The house was packed, wrote the Inquirer's critic, and "with not the slightest dissent from this reviewer, [all] seemed to think it was the opening of a hit."
Oct. 16, 1944: Ethel Barrymore, 65, being interviewed about doing "Embezzled Heaven" in Philadelphia.
"The old Walnut Street Theatre is where . . I first did 'Captain Jinks' [in 1901] . . " She paused, thinking back to when she was 20. "It's odd, but I never came here in another play until now."
"The old Walnut Street Theatre is where . . I first did 'Captain Jinks' [in 1901] . . " She paused, thinking back to when she was 20. "It's odd, but I never came here in another play until now."
October 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Oct. 16, 1944: Ethel Barrymore, 65, being interviewed about doing "Embezzled Heaven" in Philadelphia.
"The old Walnut Street Theatre is where . . I first did 'Captain Jinks' [in 1901] . . " She paused, thinking back to when she was 20. "It's odd, but I never came here in another play until now."
"The old Walnut Street Theatre is where . . I first did 'Captain Jinks' [in 1901] . . " She paused, thinking back to when she was 20. "It's odd, but I never came here in another play until now."
Oct. 1966: "Holly Golightly" began a tryout run at the Forrest Theatre, with Mary Tyler Moore & Richard Chamberlain.
A photo shows the Philly-raised songwriter Bob Merrill blindly "playing" the piano for them - though he did not read music. He composed on a toy xylophone that he bought for $1.98.
A photo shows the Philly-raised songwriter Bob Merrill blindly "playing" the piano for them - though he did not read music. He composed on a toy xylophone that he bought for $1.98.
October 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Oct. 1966: "Holly Golightly" began a tryout run at the Forrest Theatre, with Mary Tyler Moore & Richard Chamberlain.
A photo shows the Philly-raised songwriter Bob Merrill blindly "playing" the piano for them - though he did not read music. He composed on a toy xylophone that he bought for $1.98.
A photo shows the Philly-raised songwriter Bob Merrill blindly "playing" the piano for them - though he did not read music. He composed on a toy xylophone that he bought for $1.98.
A soundbite from our new episode, released today!
A conversation with Seth Rozin, the founder and artistic director of InterAct #Theatre of #Philadelphia.
Seth shares some great stories about the early years of the company, including the tour of Ireland in the autumn of 1988.
A conversation with Seth Rozin, the founder and artistic director of InterAct #Theatre of #Philadelphia.
Seth shares some great stories about the early years of the company, including the tour of Ireland in the autumn of 1988.
October 10, 2025 at 12:28 PM
A soundbite from our new episode, released today!
A conversation with Seth Rozin, the founder and artistic director of InterAct #Theatre of #Philadelphia.
Seth shares some great stories about the early years of the company, including the tour of Ireland in the autumn of 1988.
A conversation with Seth Rozin, the founder and artistic director of InterAct #Theatre of #Philadelphia.
Seth shares some great stories about the early years of the company, including the tour of Ireland in the autumn of 1988.
September 30, 1935: The Group Theatre came to town, and the old Broad Street Theatre was packed to see two plays by Philadelphia-born author Clifford Odets: “Waiting for Lefty” and “Awake and Sing!”.
A Philly critic praised the two shows' "irresistible urgency," and "terrifying vehemence.
A Philly critic praised the two shows' "irresistible urgency," and "terrifying vehemence.
September 30, 2025 at 1:51 PM
September 30, 1935: The Group Theatre came to town, and the old Broad Street Theatre was packed to see two plays by Philadelphia-born author Clifford Odets: “Waiting for Lefty” and “Awake and Sing!”.
A Philly critic praised the two shows' "irresistible urgency," and "terrifying vehemence.
A Philly critic praised the two shows' "irresistible urgency," and "terrifying vehemence.
Post-1930, eh? Well that rules out "Fifty Million Frenchman" - opened in November of 1929.
September 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Post-1930, eh? Well that rules out "Fifty Million Frenchman" - opened in November of 1929.
"Dotheboys Hall" . . . .
September 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
"Dotheboys Hall" . . . .
NARF!
September 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
NARF!
Went to see EgoPo’s “The Gladiator” at historic Carpenters Hall last night - part of their series of important #Philadelphia plays. Guess what they were selling at the front door!!!!
September 20, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Went to see EgoPo’s “The Gladiator” at historic Carpenters Hall last night - part of their series of important #Philadelphia plays. Guess what they were selling at the front door!!!!
Oct. 28th, 1960: The Irish Rebellion drama "Little Moon of Alban" by James Costigan had its world stage premiere at the Forrest #Theatre in #Philadelphia.
Miss Harris got very good reviews. But not unnoticed by audiences was a young actor playing her character's slain fiancé - Robert Redford. #RIP
Miss Harris got very good reviews. But not unnoticed by audiences was a young actor playing her character's slain fiancé - Robert Redford. #RIP
September 16, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Oct. 28th, 1960: The Irish Rebellion drama "Little Moon of Alban" by James Costigan had its world stage premiere at the Forrest #Theatre in #Philadelphia.
Miss Harris got very good reviews. But not unnoticed by audiences was a young actor playing her character's slain fiancé - Robert Redford. #RIP
Miss Harris got very good reviews. But not unnoticed by audiences was a young actor playing her character's slain fiancé - Robert Redford. #RIP
September 15, 1955: “The Diary of Anne Frank” had its World Premiere at the Walnut Street #Theatre in #Philadelphia.
With few revisions, the production went on to the Cort Theatre in New York, where it had its Broadway premiere three weeks later.
With few revisions, the production went on to the Cort Theatre in New York, where it had its Broadway premiere three weeks later.
September 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
September 15, 1955: “The Diary of Anne Frank” had its World Premiere at the Walnut Street #Theatre in #Philadelphia.
With few revisions, the production went on to the Cort Theatre in New York, where it had its Broadway premiere three weeks later.
With few revisions, the production went on to the Cort Theatre in New York, where it had its Broadway premiere three weeks later.