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PODCAST

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Bringing you the best stories from the deep and fascinating history of theater in the city of Philadelphia.This is the podcast for all lovers of theater, students of history - or anyone who enjoys great stories with lots of drama!

arts performing arts

All Episodes

31:16

Three Nights at the Opera

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2026/04/03

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 of Victor Herbert's Natoma in 1911, to a final Gotterdammerung at the Academy of Music in 1948. To view images and additional details about all the stories in this episode - go to this blog post on our Patreon page! https://www.patreon.com/posts/121123422 Support the show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelph...

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28:48

"A Lament for The Troc" - Special Episode!

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2026/03/23

In the Spring of 1978, "The Troc" - Philadelphia's longtime notorious burlesque house on Arch Street - closed for business. The journalist Edgar Williams composed this poetic farewell to the site of so many vivid, poignant, and hilarious episodes from his youth. A good photo essay about the history of The Troc can be found in this online article by writer Thom Carroll in the Philly Voice: https://www.phillyvoice.com/photos-100-years-trocadero-theatre/ It is our podcast's 5th Birthday! ...

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36:40

Diana Barrymore - Too Much, Too Soon

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2026/03/13

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, eldest daughter of John Barrymore - from her privileged beginnings, through her successes on stage, her failures in filmdom . . to her sad and sordid end. But is she really just another celebrity cautionary tale? There's more to her story than got told in the tabloids. As you listen, for a selection of photos of Diana, and othe...

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39:13

Before he was "One of the Hollywood Ten" - Special...

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2026/02/27

Herbert J. Biberman, the screenwriter, director and left-wing activist, was once one of the most well-known men in show biz - but not, unfortunately for his talent or his intellect. In 1950, he became famous for being one of the "Hollywood Ten," a group of men known for their opposition to politically-motivated industry blacklists - and facing prison for refusing to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee. But Biberman's Philadelphia origin story is almost completely...

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31:50

Starting on the Third Floor - and Going Up

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2026/02/15

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 show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! For a link, go to our website: www.aithpodcast.com Our email address is AITHpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on social media: Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social Facebook: https://ww...

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59:59

Albert Innaurato and "Gemini"

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2026/01/23

The story of Albert Innaurato and his play "Gemini." Set in South Philadelphia in the 1970s, it was to become the biggest commercial and artistic triumph of his career. The famous TV commercial for the original Broadway production is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz8p6-LconE But Gemini also served as a constant reminder that success can fleeting, and that an artist's personal demons can undermine their long-term reputation. We interview Charles Gilbert about his prof...

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39:27

Abigail Adams and Marcia Saunders at People's Light

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2026/01/11

The director Abigail Adams and the actress Marcia Saunders talk to us about their lives and careers, and about how their theatrical and artistic home at People's Light in Malvern, Pennsylvania. To learn more about the production of Steel Magnolias at People's Light: https://www.peopleslight.org/whats-on/20252026-season/steel-magnolias/ Support the show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!...

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48:24

Brian Anthony Wilson

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/12/21

As a Holiday, treat, the Philadelphia actor Brian Wilson talks with us about his life and career. Brian tells us about his memories - everything from his roles on "The Wire," to his work with the director Walter Dallas, to his quest to perform in all the plays of August Wilson (no relation!). And he shares this thoughts about the state of African-American theater in the Quaker City at the beginning of the 21st Century. For a blog page with photos and additional info go to: https://www....

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51:41

Chris & Louis Lippa: A House Remembered is Never Dark

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/12/07

A conversation with Chris Lippa about the life and work of his father, the late Louis Lippa, the Philadelphia playwright and actor - and about Chris' vision to make a real home for the history of theater in the city. Support the show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! Our website: www.aithpodcast.com Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social Facebook: ht...

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32:49

Encore Episode: The Walls of Walnut Street

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/11/21

A reprise of our 2023 interview with Bernard Havard of the Walnut Street Theatre - including a tour of the historic building. Newly remixed, and with a new introduction and extra content about our upcoming episodes of the podcast! A blog post with images from our visit to the Walnut can be found on our website: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/photos-for-the-walls-of-walnut-street/ Support the show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bo...

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49:54

Interview: Bruce Graham

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/11/07

We talk with Bruce Graham - a son of Ridley Township in Delaware County who has been writing, teaching, and performing in Philadelphia since the 1980s. Graham has written dozens of plays which have been produced everywhere from Los Angeles to London, as well as turning out scripts for Hollywood films, TV movies, sitcoms and soap operas - but he always returned to his hometown, and where his plays have been regularly staged by local theater companies, and appreciated by local audiences...

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50:57

Carol Rocamora and Michael Hollinger - New Plays for...

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/10/24

An interview with writer, director, translator and theater critic Carol Rocamora, who founded the Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays in 1981, and was its Artistic Director to 1994. Philadelphia-area playwright Michael Hollinger was Rocamora's literary manager in the early 1990s, and credits his time working with Carol at PFT for helping to shape his future career. A blog post on our website, with additional information and images, is here: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/philade...

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55:59

Seth Rozin and InterAct

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/10/10

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, the creation and performance of the play "6221," and how he has made a career in the world of non-profit American theater. InterAct Theatres website: https://www.interacttheatre.org/ For a blog post about the history of InterAct, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blo...

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52:21

Interview: Tom Teti

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/09/26

A conversation with actor Tom Teti about his life, his career in Philadelphia theater, and his long association with People's Light and Theatre Company in Malvern. For a blog post with images and additional information about Tom's career, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/tom-as-in-teti/ For more information about the October 2025 production of Tommy and Me at PLTC, go HERE. Support the show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent booksto...

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64:56

Blanka and Pat's Excellent Adventure

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/09/12

Director Blanka Zizka and stage manager Patreshettarlini Adams talk about their decades of work at the Wilma Theater, sharing stories of their longstanding artistic collaboration and deep friendship. And they agree that "Theater is Music." An excellent and heartwarming Adventure in Philadelphia Theater History! Music from historic Wilma Theater productions sampled in this episode includes: 1) Selections from Eurydice/Toby Twining ℗ 2011 Cantaloupe Music. The full album can be found on Yo...

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31:05

The Wilma Story, Part Two

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/08/29

The history of Philadelphia's Wilma Theater during the 1990s, with archival recordings of the voices of Jiri and Blanka Zizka. For images and additional information about this episode, see the blog post on our website HERE. The original interviews of Jiri Zizka can be found on YouTube - HERE and HERE. The original interview of Blanka Zizka can also be found on YouTube - HERE. Support the show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores ...

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38:45

The Wilma Story, Part One

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/08/15

The voices of Jiri and Blanka Zizka help to narrate the history of Philadelphia's Wilma Theater during the 1980s. For images and additional information about this episode, see the blog post on our website HERE. Support the show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! Our website: www.aithpodcast.com Our email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.com Bluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.social Facebook: http...

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28:56

Marcia Ferguson: How the Zizkas Changed the Landscape...

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/07/25

A conversation about the impact that Blanka and Jiri Zizka had on the Philadelphia theater scene in the 1980s and 90s. If you have not yet listened to our Episode 97, "Off-Off Broad Street," in which we discuss the history of "The Wilma Project" during the 1970s, you can find it here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1721762/episodes/16873817 This is one of a multi-part series on the origin and history of and the Wilma Theater. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Marcia Ferguson of the Univers...

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54:32

A Festival of Music Theater

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/07/13

Charlie Gilbert returns to talk about the music theater and the many new musicals being created and developed in Philadelphia during the 1980s and 90s. We discuss the founding and early years of the American Music Theatre Festival, musicals performed at the Walnut and Arden Theatres, and the beginning of the Musical Theater Program at the University of the Arts - as theatrical and musical activity up and down Broad Street flourishes. To learn more about Charlie Gilbert and his work, visit his...

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39:49

Memories of the Freedom Theatre

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia ·

2025/06/27

An interview with actor Johnnie Hobbs and choreographer Patricia Scott Hobbs about the Freedom Theatre in North Philadelphia. In an archival recording, the Philadelphia composer and teacher Charles Gilbert talks to his longtime friends about their experiences at the Freedom, including working with founder John E. Allen and his successor Walter Dallas. Though this is not a comprehensive narrative, we are pleased to begin sharing the story of this important cultural institution, whi...

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121 results

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