Walnut Street Theatre

Walnut Street Theatre (Philadelphia). The oldest active playhouse in America, it was built as a circus in 1809 and converted to legitimate theatre two years later as the Olympic. Despite occasional dark periods and use as a burlesque house, its history has been distinguished. For many years it was a major rival to the city's Arch Street and Chestnut Street Theatres and for much of the 19th century housed an important stock company. The theatre also hosted performances by Edwin Booth, Edwin Forrest and others, was the first American theatre to install gas footlights in 1837, and in 1855 introduced a primitive air conditioning system. In the 20th century it served as a venue for major tryouts and tours, operating as a Shubert house between 1941 and 1969. In 1968 the building was declared a National Landmark, and a major renovation restored the theatre to its 1928 look. The Walnut Street Theatre Company was founded in 1983 by a group of community leaders organized by Ed Rome and Bernard Havard. The repertory is conservative, emphasizing comedies and musicals, which has resulted in one of the largest subscription bases in the nation.