Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

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 and photos of the theaters and streets we discuss in the episode, go to: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/photos-and-images-for-the-ghost-theaters-of-callowhill-street---episode-124/ Support the show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers ...

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! ...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

A conversation with one of the longest-serving and most consequential artistic directors and producers of the modern era of Philadelphia theater history, Sara Garonzik. As we continue our Season Four, we learn about her early years - first as and actor, then as a director, then as a producer at the Philadelphia Theatre Company. And we learn her stories about how she took PTC from a 25-year-long home at the Plays and Players Theatre to the new Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Broad Street. Plus,...