Walnut Street Theatre
Walnut Street Theatre, founded in 1808 at 825 Walnut Street, on the corner of S. 9th Street in the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia, is the oldest operating theatre in the United States.[3] The venue is operated by Walnut Street Theatre Company, a non-profit organization, and has three stages: the Mainstage, for the company's primary and larger productions, the Independence Studio on 3, a studio located on the building's third floor for smaller productions, and the Studio 5 on the fifth floor, which is rented out for independent productions. In May 2019, Walnut Street Theatre announced a major expansion, to begin in 2020.[4] In March 2020, the expansion was postponed six weeks from its initial groundbreaking due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
The New Circus The Olympic The American | |
(2013) | |
| Address | 825 Walnut Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States |
|---|---|
| Public transit | 9th-10th & Locust: |
Walnut Street Theatre | |
| Coordinates | 39°56′54″N 75°9′20″W / 39.94833°N 75.15556°WCoordinates: 39°56′54″N 75°9′20″W / 39.94833°N 75.15556°W |
| Built | 1809 |
| Architectural style | Classical revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000693[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
| Designated PHMC | September 25, 1996[2] |
| Owner | Walnut Street Theatre Company (non-profit) |
| Designation | National Historic Landmark |
| Capacity | 1054 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1808 |
| Rebuilt | 1828, John Haviland 1903, Willis Hale 1920, William H. Lee |
| Architect | William Strickland |
| Website | |
| walnutstreettheatre.org | |
History
Walnut Street Theatre was built by the Circus of Pepin and Breschard, which toured the United States from 1807 until 1815. Pepin and Breschard constructed numerous venues in cities along the East Coast of the United States, which often featured, along with performances of their circus, classical plays as well as horse dramas.[6] The theatre was founded in 1808, going by the name of The New Circus. In 1811, the two partners commissioned architect William Strickland to design and construct a stage and orchestra pit for theatrical performances and the theatre's name was changed to The Olympic. The official website says that the name Walnut Street Theatre was first used there in 1820, though the name was changed back to The Olympic in 1822 and to The Walnut again in 1828. A travel guidebook from 1849 indicates that in the mid-19th century, this building was called The American Theatre.
The Walnut was the first theatre to install gas footlights in 1837. In 1855, it was also the first theatre to feature air conditioning. The theatre switched to electric chandeliers and footlights in 1892. The theatre has undergone many renovations since its opening.
In June 1923, the Marx Brothers premiered their first show, I'll Say She Is at the Walnut.[7]
Between 1932 and 1940, the theatre ran movies and hosted vaudeville and burlesque shows when it wasn't dark.[8]
The first theatrical production at the theatre was Sheridan's play The Rivals presented on New Year's Day, 1812. Edwin Forrest and John Sleeper Clarke purchased the theatre in 1865, and then the theatre became part of The Shubert Organization in 1941. While part of the Shubert chain, the theatre housed many pre-Broadway tryouts of soon-to-be classics, including:
- I'll Say She Is with the Marx Brothers (June 1923) (Harpo, Chico, Groucho, and Zeppo)
- A Streetcar Named Desire with Marlon Brando (1947)
- Mister Roberts with Henry Fonda (1948)
- Gigi with Audrey Hepburn (1951)
- The Diary of Anne Frank with Susan Strasberg (1955)
- A Raisin in the Sun with Sidney Poitier (1959)
- A Man For All Seasons starring Paul Scofield (1961)
On October 15, 1966, Walnut Street Theatre was designated a National Historic Landmark, and in 1969, the theatre was purchased by a non-profit organization and turned over to the new Walnut Street Theatre Corporation. On September 23, 1976, it was the site of the first presidential debate between Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter.
Walnut Street Theatre Company, a non-profit regional producing company, was formed in 1983 by Bernard Havard. In 1984, Walnut Street Theatre School was established and over 1,200 students enroll annually, and 1986 saw the introduction of the Independence Studio on 3 series. The company produces five productions per season on the theatre's main stage. In Fall 2008, the theater celebrated its 200th season of live entertainment. In 2010, it was the most subscribed theatre company in the world with 56,000 subscribers.[9]
COVID-19 and Controversy
On March 23, 2020, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Health Commissioner of the City of Philadelphia, Dr. Thomas A. Farley, issued a stay-at-home order, forcing all nonessential businesses, including arts and cultural institutions, to cease live performances.[10] The historic 213-year-old theatre canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season (211th season).
In April 2020, in response to the pandemic and performance cancellations, the Walnut created a mini-series entitled "My Walnut Story." This series of nearly 100 personally submitted video testimonials highlighted the positive impact the Walnut has had on the lives and careers of former actors, designers, staff, apprentices, and more.[11]
During COVID-19-related shutdowns, the performing arts industry in the United States experienced significant upheaval.[12] A gathering led by former employees protested on June 18, 2021, after accusations made on social media led to a cease-and-desist letter being sent to a former employee. [13] [14] Throughout the protest, former employees and members of the Philadelphia arts community shared accounts of racism, pay inequities, and other forms of discrimination experienced at the Walnut.[15]
Notable performers
The many famous performers who have appeared at the theatre include Ethel Barrymore, Edwin Booth, George M. Cohan, Claudette Colbert, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Marlon Brando, Edwin Forrest, Julie Harris, Helen Hayes, Katharine Hepburn, Mark Indelicato, Samuel L. Jackson, Jack Lemmon, Groucho Marx and the Marx Brothers, Rob McClure, Mike Nichols, George Peppard, Harold Perrineau, Robert Redford, Edward G. Robinson, Laura San Giacamo, Marina Sirtis, Lucas Steele, Jarrod Spector, George C. Scott, Jessica Tandy and Ethel Waters.[16]
See also
References
Notes
- ^ "National Register Information System – (#66000693)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ "PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
- ^ ExplorePAhistory.com
- ^ John Timpane (May 4, 2019). "Walnut Street Theatre announces a major expansion, set to start in 2020". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
The Walnut Street Theatre announced Saturday evening that fund-raising is now underway for a substantial new wing of the building. Plans would expand the 210-year-old theater's footprint partway into the parking lot next door and add a 400-seat theater in the round. The three-story, 35,000-square-foot addition would break ground in May 2020 and be completed in 2022.
- ^ "Walnut Street Theatre wants to sell naming rights for $10 million, as expansion costs rise".
- ^ Havard, Bernard and Sylvester, Mark D. Walnut Street Theatre. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2008. p.9
- ^ "Marx Brothers premiere first show at Walnut Street Theatre".
- ^ In the old tradition: Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre Returns to a First Love. New York Times. 05 Oct 1941: X1.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (January 5, 2010). "Walnut Street Will Offer Kander & Ebb, Boublil & Schonberg, Amadeus, Hitchcock and Berlin". Playbill.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ "City Issues Stay at Home Order Clarifying Restrictions on Business Activity in Philadelphia | Department of Commerce".
- ^ "My Walnut Story -- Walnut Street Theatre -- Philadelphia, PA -- Official Website".
- ^ "The Pandemic's Effect on the Arts in Philadelphia".
- ^ "Philly theater artists demand change in workplace behavior at Walnut Street Theatre". AL DÍA News. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
- ^ "America's Oldest Theater Wants to Shut This South Philly Actress Up". Philadelphia Magazine. 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
- ^ "Theater artists protest Walnut Street Theatre, claiming abusive behavior". WHYY. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
- ^ "Walnut Fun Facts -- Walnut Street Theatre -- Philadelphia, PA -- Official Website". www.walnutstreettheatre.org. Retrieved 2019-05-24.
Further reading
- Havard, Bernard and Sylvester, Mark D., Walnut Street Theatre. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2008
- Teitelman, Edward, and Richard W. Longstreth, Architecture in Philadelphia: A Guide. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1974.
- Webster, Richard J., Philadelphia Preserved. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1976.
External links
- The 1849 book "A Hand-book for the Stranger in Philadelphia" - PDF scan at Archive.org (page 80 includes a brief history of this theater)
- Virtual tour - Virtual tour of the Walnut Street Theater
- Walnut Street Theatre Online - official website
- Listing and photographs at the Historic American Buildings Survey
- Listing and photographs at Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
- National Historic Landmark Listing at the National Park Service
- ExplorePAhistory.com