Adventures in theater history : Philadelphia / Peter Schmitz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Schmitz, Peter Forgan.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Theater--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia--History.

Theater.

Theaters--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia--History.

Theaters.

Physical Description:

xxii, 305 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Havertown, PA : Brookline Books, 2024.

Summary:

"From the founding of The Walnut Street Theatre and the beginning of the American circus to the world premiere performance of Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, and from censorship and opposition to riots and deadly fires, this engaging collection of short, focused narratives introduces the reader to the often overlooked and frequently underappreciated topic of the history of theater in Philadelphia, and offer a new way of approaching the wider history of this unique and important American city. The stories are populated by some of the many notable visitors to the city's theaters, including Oscar Wilde, Edmund Kean, John Wilkes Booth, Sarah Bernhardt, Ayn Rand, Tennessee Williams, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Muhammad Ali, Paul Robeson and Joseph Papp; and the stories of heroes of local theater including Edwin Forrest, Pearl Bailey, Molly Picon, and Charles Fuller and Kevin Bacon. Also putting in appearances are the mostly forgotten, but no less fascinating Annie Kemp Bowler "the Original Stalacta," May Manning Lillile the Quaker Cowgirl, and tennis champion William ("Big Bill") Tilden"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Only in Philadelphia

The wicked stage

Playhouses

Local heroes

Visiting stars

Disputes, deaths, and disasters

The tryout town

The Manning Street Theatre.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Athenaeum copy: Gemmill fund bookplate.

ISBN:

1955041377

9781955041379

OCLC:

1450834703