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{{Short description|Oldest theatre in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
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'''Walnut Street Theatre''', founded in 1808 at 825 [[Walnut Street (Philadelphia)|Walnut Street]], on the corner of S. 9th Street in the [[Washington Square West, Philadelphia|Washington Square West]] neighborhood of [[Philadelphia]], is the oldest operating theatre in the United States.
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. ==Design==
[[File:WalnutStTheatrebyChasBurtonc1830.jpg
[[File:Carter and Ford in a debate, September 23, 1976.jpg|thumb
The Walnut was the first theatre to install gas [[footlight]]s in 1837.<ref name="Story of Theatre"/> In 1855, it was also the first theatre to feature [[air conditioning]]. The theatre switched to electric [[chandelier]]s and footlights in 1892.<ref name="Timeline"/> The theatre has undergone many renovations since its opening.▼
When it was first constructed in 1809, the New Circus had no stage, just a ring of sawdust marking the performance area.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=2}} It was made of brick due to the Philadelphia fire code, unlike other venues built by Pepin and Breschard.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=2}} It had a peaked roof and a dome with a flagpole on top of it, becoming Philadelphia's tallest building.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=2}} In 1820, the dome on the building was removed for sound quality improvements.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=2}} The original brick façade was replaced with a [[Greek revival]] one in 1828.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=2}}
▲The Walnut Street Theatre was the first theatre to install gas [[footlight]]s in 1837.<ref name="Story of Theatre"/> In 1855, it was also the first theatre to feature [[air conditioning]]. The theatre switched to electric [[chandelier]]s and footlights in 1892.<ref name="Timeline"/> The theatre
In May 2019, Walnut Street Theatre announced a major expansion, to begin in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philly.com/arts/walnut-street-theatre-expansion-theater-in-the-round-parking-lot-20190504.html|title=Walnut Street Theatre announces a major expansion, set to start in 2020|author=John Timpane|newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=May 4, 2019|access-date=May 4, 2019|quote=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.}}</ref> In March 2020, the expansion was postponed six weeks from its initial groundbreaking due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/walnut-street-theatre-funding-donor-new-name-20221017.html | title=Walnut Street Theatre wants to sell naming rights for $10 million, as expansion costs rise | date=17 October 2022 }}</ref>▼
▲In May 2019, Walnut Street Theatre announced a major expansion, to begin in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philly.com/arts/walnut-street-theatre-expansion-theater-in-the-round-parking-lot-20190504.html|title=Walnut Street Theatre announces a major expansion, set to start in 2020|author=John Timpane|newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=May 4, 2019|access-date=May 4, 2019|quote=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.}}</ref>
In March 2020, the expansion was postponed six weeks from its initial groundbreaking due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/walnut-street-theatre-funding-donor-new-name-20221017.html | title=Walnut Street Theatre wants to sell naming rights for $10 million, as expansion costs rise | date=17 October 2022 }}</ref>
==History==
===19th century===
▲[[File:Carter and Ford in a debate, September 23, 1976.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Jimmy Carter]] and [[Gerald Ford]] debate domestic policy on September 23, 1976, at the Walnut Street Theatre]]
A parcel of land owned by John Brown on the corner of [[Walnut Street (Philadelphia)|Walnut]] and
Pépin and Breschard constructed numerous venues in cities along the [[East Coast of the United States|U.S. East Coast]], which often featured, along with performances of their circus, classical plays as well as [[hippodrama|horse dramas]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Havard |first1=Bernard |last2=Sylvester |first2=Mark D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QWvV5lmU3E0C&dq=%22gilbert+stuart%22+breschard&pg=PA9 |title=Walnut Street Theatre |location=Charleston |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2008 |page=9|isbn=9780738557700 }}</ref> Their first show was performed on February 2, 1809.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=26}}
In 1811, the two partners commissioned architect [[William Strickland (architect)|William Strickland]] to design and construct a stage and [[orchestra pit]] for theatrical performances.<ref name="Timeline"/> They also bought another parcel of land from Brown for $6,250 on February 1, 1811, to increase the size of the theatre.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=30}} The theatre's name was changed to The Olympic, with a reopening on January 1, 1812.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic Theatre |url=https://www
The building was put up for auction in a [[sheriff's sale]] on February 5, 1813, but there were no bids and the lien holder James Clemson gained control of it.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=33}} Charles Bird, an attorney, bought the building at a public auction on November 29, 1814, for $12,650.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=35}} Pépin re-purchased the building on October 21, 1818, with the help of a group of stockholders, for $34,000.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=37}} He then, in turn, sold it to an attorney and two merchants for the same price and they established a trust with 115 members known as the Proprietors of the Walnut Street Theatre.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=37}} [[William B. Wood (actor)|William B. Wood]] and [[William Warren (elder actor)|William Warren]], who managed the [[Chestnut Street Theatre]] until it burned down in 1820, leased the theatre on Walnut Street and paid for renovations to the building.<ref name="Immense Community">{{cite news |title=The Amusements of an Immense Community |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call/127801767/ |newspaper=[[The Morning Call]] |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 22, 1898 |access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref>
▲A parcel of land owned by John Brown on the corner of Walnut Street and Ninth Street in Philadelphia was sold to [[Victor Pépin]] and [[Jean Baptiste Casmiere Breschard]] for $11,058 on October 4, 1808.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=25}} A theatre, going by the name of The New Circus,<ref name="Story of Theatre">{{cite news |title='Walnut St.' Wrote Story Of Theatre |url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/courier-post/127765867/ |newspaper=[[Courier-Post]] |via=Newspapers.com |date=March 1, 1941 |access-date=July 6, 2023}}</ref> was built on the parcel by the pair, who formed the [[Circus of Pepin and Breschard]], which toured the United States from 1807 to 1815. Pépin 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 [[hippodrama|horse dramas]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Havard |first1=Bernard |last2=Sylvester |first2=Mark D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QWvV5lmU3E0C&pg=PA9&dq=%22gilbert+stuart%22+breschard&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html |title=Walnut Street Theatre |location=Charleston |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2008 |page=9}}</ref> Their first show was performed on February 2, 1809.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=26}}
They renamed it Walnut Street Theatre in 1820,<ref name="Story of Theatre"/> with an opening performance of ''[[Wild Oats (play)|Wild Oats]]'' and ''[[The Agreeable Surprise]]'' in November 1820.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=42}} The name of the theatre was changed back to The Olympic with its reopening on September 3, 1822, for [[Equestrianism|equestrian]] and theatrical performances.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic Theatre |url=https://www
▲In 1811, the two partners commissioned architect [[William Strickland (architect)|William Strickland]] to design and construct a stage and [[orchestra pit]] for theatrical performances.<ref name="Timeline"/> They also bought another parcel of land from Brown for $6,250 on February 1, 1811, to increase the size of the theatre.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=30}} The theatre's name was changed to The Olympic, with a reopening on January 1, 1812.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic Theatre |url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/aurora-general-advertiser/127793852/ |newspaper=[[Aurora General Advertiser]] |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 24, 1811 |access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref> The first theatrical productions staged at The Olympic were ''[[The Rivals]]'' and ''[[The Poor Soldier]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic Theatre |url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/aurora-general-advertiser/127794093/ |newspaper=Aurora General Advertiser |via=Newspapers.com |date=January 1, 1812 |access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref> The building was put up for auction in a [[sheriff's sale]] on February 5, 1813, but there were no bids and the lien holder James Clemson gained control of it.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=33}} Charles Bird, an attorney, bought the building at a public auction on November 29, 1814, for $12,650.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=35}} Pépin re-purchased the building on October 21, 1818, with the help of a group of stockholders, for $34,000.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=37}} He then, in turn, sold it to an attorney and two merchants for the same price and they established a trust with 115 members known as the Proprietors of the Walnut Street Theatre.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=37}} [[William B. Wood (actor)|William B. Wood]] and [[William Warren (elder actor)|William Warren]], who managed the [[Chestnut Street Theatre]] until it burned down in 1820, leased the theatre on Walnut Street and paid for renovations to the building.<ref name="Immense Community">{{cite news |title=The Amusements of an Immense Community |url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-morning-call/127801767/ |newspaper=[[The Morning Call]] |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 22, 1898 |access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref>
In 1920, a new building was planned to replace the existing one, but zoning codes made it infeasible at the time.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=3}}
▲They renamed it Walnut Street Theatre in 1820,<ref name="Story of Theatre"/> with an opening performance of ''[[Wild Oats (play)|Wild Oats]]'' and ''[[The Agreeable Surprise]]'' in November 1820.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=42}} The name of the theatre was changed back to The Olympic with its reopening on September 3, 1822, for [[Equestrianism|equestrian]] and theatrical performances.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic Theatre |url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/127795843/ |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 2, 1822 |access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref> The theatre became the Walnut Street Theatre again by 1828.<ref name="Timeline">{{cite web |title=Theatre Timeline |url=https://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/about/timeline.php |website=WalnutStreetTheatre.org |access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref> [[Edwin Booth]] and [[John Sleeper Clarke]] purchased the theatre on October 5, 1863, for $100,000.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=126}} In March 1871, Clarke bought out Booth's share of the theatre.{{sfn|Davis|2010|p=145}}
===20th century===
In June 1923, the [[Marx Brothers]] premiered their first show, ''[[I'll Say She Is]]'' at the Walnut.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/TODAY-IN-PHILADELPHIA-HISTORY/Marx-Brothers-premiere-first-show-at-Walnut-Street-Theatre.html | title=Marx Brothers premiere first show at Walnut Street Theatre | date=2 August 2013 }}</ref>
Between 1932 and 1940, the theatre ran movies and hosted vaudeville and burlesque shows when it was not dark.<ref>In the old tradition: Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre Returns to a First Love. ''New York Times''. 05 Oct 1941: X1.</ref> The theatre became part of [[The Shubert Organization]] in 1941. A court ordered The Shubert Organization to divest from some of their properties in 1956, including the Walnut.{{sfn|Davis|2010|pp=3–4}}
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 [[U.S. presidential election debates|presidential debate]] between [[Gerald R. Ford]] and [[Jimmy Carter]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Drama of Debate Is Set In 167-Year-Old Theater |url=https://www
The theatre housed the
===21st century===
=== COVID-19 and controversy ===▼
In 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.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jones, Kenneth |title=Walnut Street Will Offer Kander & Ebb, Boublil & Schonberg, Amadeus, Hitchcock and Berlin |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/walnut-street-will-offer-kander-ebb-boublil-schonberg-amadeus-hitchcock-and-berlin-com-164698 |website=Playbill.com |date=January 5, 2010 |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.phila.gov/2020-03-22-city-issues-stay-at-home-order-clarifying-restrictions-on-business-activity-in-philadelphia/ | title=City Issues Stay at Home Order Clarifying Restrictions on Business Activity in Philadelphia | Department of Commerce | date=26 May 2023 }}</ref> The theatre canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season (211th season) thereafter.
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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://walnutstreettheatre.org/support/story/ | title=My Walnut Story -- Walnut Street Theatre -- Philadelphia, PA -- Official Website }}</ref>
During COVID-19-related shutdowns, the performing arts industry in the United States experienced significant upheaval.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/trust/archive/spring-2021/the-pandemics-effect-on-the-arts-in-philadelphia | title=The Pandemic's Effect on the Arts in Philadelphia }}</ref> 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.
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Theater artists protest Walnut Street Theatre, claiming abusive behavior|url=https://whyy.org/articles/theater-artists-protest-walnut-street-theatre-claiming-abusive-behavior/|access-date=2021-06-26|website=WHYY|language=en-US}}</ref> ==Notable productions and performers==
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[[Category:1809 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
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[[Category:Washington Square West, Philadelphia]]▼
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia]]
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[[Category:Walnut Street (Philadelphia)]]
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