Walnut Street Theatre

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]

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]

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]

•  Philadelphia portal
• List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Center City, Philadelphia

Notes

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.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Walnut Street Theatre.

• 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