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]
History
Drawing by Charles Burton (c. 1830)
Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford debate domestic policy on September 23, 1976, at the Walnut Street Theatre
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
Philadelphia portal
List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia
National Register of Historic Places listings in Center City, Philadelphia
About Us
The mission of Walnut Street Theatre Company is to sustain the tradition of professional theatre and contribute to its future viability and vitality.
It does so through:
The production and presentation of professional theatre
The encouragement, training and development of artists
The cultivation of diverse audiences
The preservation and chronicling of its theatre building, a national historic landmark
The Walnut Street Theatre, founded in 1809, is America's Oldest Theatre. It is also the Official State Theatre of Pennsylvania, and a National Historic Landmark. With nearly 50,000 season ticket holders, the Walnut is also the most subscribed theatre company in the world!
History
The Walnut Street Theatre, founded in 1808, is America's Oldest Theatre. It is also the Official State Theatre of Pennsylvania, and a National Historic Landmark.
Theatre Timeline
IMPORTANT MILESTONES IN THE WALNUT'S HISTORY
1808
Theatre opens as The New Circus (equestrian acts). A few years later, an 80-foot dome was added, making it the highest structure in the city at the time. The dome remained until the remodeling of 1828.
1811
As designed by English architect William Strickland, a stage and pit for theatrical performances was added and the name was changed to The Olympic.
1812
The Rivals becomes the first theatrical production staged here.
1820
Name is changed to Walnut Street Theatre, converted to a legitimate theatre.
1822
Interior is restored to that of a circus and the name is changed back to The Olympic.
1828
Major renovations of interior and exterior, designed by John Haviland, the most prominent architect of his day. The present façade is based on his original design. Name changes back to the Walnut.
Fanny Davenport (1884), Fedora, Photograph courtesy of the Theatre Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia
1837
The Walnut became the first theatre to install gas footlights.
1863
Edwin Booth and John Sleeper Clarke purchase the Walnut and guide it through the Golden Age of American Theatre.
1880's
Renovations included a new stage for more elaborate musical comedies.
1892
Walnut gets electricity, used for chandeliers and footlights.
1903
Some rebuilding done, designed by architect Willis Hale.
Orson Welles, (1942), director of Native Son, Photograph courtesy of the Theatre Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia
1920
Interior rebuilt within the old exterior, designed by William H. Lee, using structural steel. Chandelier from the Bingham House Hotel is hung from the center of the dome.
1941
Becomes part of Shubert chain, presenting pre-Broadway try-outs and world premieres, including such classics as Streetcar Named Desire, Porgy and Bess and A Raisin in the Sun
1964
Designated a National Historic Landmark.
1969
Purchased by the Haas Foundation from the Shuberts, is turned over to the new Walnut Street Theatre Corporation. A multi-million dollar "Grand Restoration" is begun, designed by architect F. Bryan Loving.
1971
Walnut re-opens as performing arts center, presenting theatre, opera, dance, music and film.
1983
Walnut Street Theatre Company is formed, a not-for- profit regional producing theatre under the direction of Bernard Havard, producing five productions each season on the Mainstage. Today, the Walnut is the most subscribed theatre company in the world.
1984
Walnut Street Theatre School is established. Today, over 1,200 students enroll annually.
Gigi (1951), Audrey Hepburn and Cathleen Nesbitt
1986
The Studio 3 Series is established, producing five productions each season in the intimate third floor studio. Today, this series plays to capacity annually.
1998
Major remodeling of the Mainstage area, including new seats, carpeting, upgraded lighting and sound equipment. Throughout the house, several improvements make the theatre more accessible, including the addition of ADA compliant seating and an accessible restroom on the main floor. The exterior façade is thoroughly cleaned, sealed and repainted.
2009
Walnut Street Theatre celebrated it's 200th Anniversary with a birthday concert featuring stage performers from the last quarter century. Many of the city's great benefactors and politicians mingled with the hundreds of theatre artists that have helped make Walnut Street Theatre the most popular theatre company in the region.
TODAY
With more than 20 productions, over 600 performances and over 350,000 attendees each season, Walnut Street Theatre is the most active theatre company in the region. Our education and outreach programs reach over 150,000 students and their families each year. As a producing company, we hire hundreds of the nation's best artists from Philadelphia and around the world. We continue the tradition of creating some of the best professional productions in the United States.