America's longest run : a history of the Walnut Street Theatre / Andrew Davis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Davis, Andrew, 1952-

Contributor:

Horace Howard Furness Memorial Fund.

Horace Howard Furness Memorial Library (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Walnut Street Theatre (Philadelphia, Pa.)--History.

Walnut Street Theatre (Philadelphia, Pa.).

History.

Physical Description:

xi, 412 pages : illustrations ; 27 cm

Place of Publication:

University Park, Pa. : The Pennsylvania State University Press, [2010]

Summary:

"Traces the history of the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia from its founding in 1809. Documents the productions and players at the theater, and the difficulties it has faced from economic crises, changing tastes, and competition from new media"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Prologue: America's oldest theatre

The beginnings of theatre in Philadelphia, 1682-1809

Circus and spectacle at the Walnut Street Theatre, 1809-1820

The era of the English star, 1820-1829

The Walnut in the age of Jackson, 1829-1840

The Marshall era, 1840-1849

Respectability, 1849-1860

The Civil War years, 1860-1867

The last years of stock, 1867-1879

A combination house, 1879-1895

The syndicate years, 1896-1920

Boom and bust, 1920-1940

A tryout house, 1941-1954

The Shuberts in decline, 1954-1969

Performing arts center, 1969-1982

A subscription house, 1982-1999

The State Theatre of Pennsylvania, 2000 and beyond.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Horace Howard Furness Memorial Fund.

ISBN:

9780271035789

0271035781

OCLC:

435629068

Publisher Number:

99938151842