Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Nick Stuccio and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival

Our guest today is Nick Stuccio, the former ballet dancer who helped found, lead and guide one of the most important producing organizations in the city - the annual Phil

Whit MacLaughlin Finds His Utopia

The Artistic Director of the Philadelphia theater troupe New Paradise Laboratories talks with us about his early life and education, about his midlife journey from Blooms

Mark Lord, Part Two

We complete our conversation with the innovative Philadelphia director, teacher and dramaturg Mark Lord. In this episode we touch on many of Mark's productions that

Mark Lord, Part One

We begin our conversation with the innovative Philadelphia director, teacher and  scholar Mark Lord, for many years a distinguished theater professor at Bryn Mawr College

Funny How We Got Here - 1812 Productions, with Jen and Pete

An interview with Jen Childs and Pete Pryor, the founders of 1812 Productions, the only Philadelphia theater company dedicated to comedy. A blog post with images from th

Mary Martello is Always Right

Our interview with the great Philadelphia actress Mary Martello. Join us as she shares the fascinating story of her life and her career. To see photos and images of Mary

ENCORE EPISODE - Forrest of Philadelphia, Part Three (NEW and IMPROVED!)

A newly-revised and improved edition of our examination of the final two decades that Edwin Forrest spent in Philadelphia - and his lasting legacy in the city. For photo

ENCORE EPISODE: Banned in Philadelphia

During the Great Depression years of the 1930s, some touring Broadway shows got into trouble in Philadelphia. "The People's Mayor" S. Davis Wilson had his limits w

ENCORE EPISODE: "Guys and Dolls" in Philadelphia

A Summertime Treat! We bring out again one of our most popular and beloved episodes of the podcast . . .  the story of how Philadelphia saved the pre-Broadway tryout run

ENCORE EPISODE: Americana Jubilee - 1976

In honor of the 250th anniversary of American Independence, we bring back this episode about Philadelphia theater during the Bicentennial year! A blog post with images a

Lane Savadove and EgoPo

We interview director Lane Savadove about his lifelong journey that has taken EgoPo Classic Theater around the world - and back again. Visit EgoPo's own website her

Centennial Summer: Looking Back to 1876 - A Special Episode

In this special episode, we explore the theatrical history of the great Centennial Exposition – one of the biggest entertainment events ever mounted in Philadelphia. Our

The Ghost Theaters of Callowhill Street

A modern walking tour along a noisy street - with the narrative of a long-forgotten theater district of Philadelphia's near north side! For a blog post with images

The Lantern Theater

Back-to-back interviews about the past - and the future - of the Lantern Theater. Peter talks with Stacy Maria Dutton and Charles McMahon. For a blog post with images re

Interview: Grace Gonglewski

A conversation with Grace Gonglewski, who has been performing and creating in Philadelphia theaters for the last four decades! She shares with us her memories of her life

Three Nights at the Opera

Three tales from the deep annals of Philadelphia opera history . .  . . from a fantastical account of a performance of Guy Mannering in the 1840s, to the world premiere o

"A Lament for The Troc" - Special Episode!

In the Spring of 1978, "The Troc" - Philadelphia's longtime notorious burlesque house on Arch Street - closed for business.  The journalist Edgar Williams composed

Diana Barrymore - Too Much, Too Soon

It might seem to be a lurid Hollywood tale . . . but is it really a Philadelphia theater story? Here's our take on the life and times of the actress Diana Barrymore

Before he was "One of the Hollywood Ten"

Herbert J. Biberman, the screenwriter, director and left-wing activist, was once one of the most well-known men in show biz - but not for his talent or his intellect.  B

Starting on the Third Floor - and Going Up

The rise of the Arden Theatre  Company - as well as the story of the beginnings of the modern Walnut Street Theatre Company and the Lantern Theater Company. Support the