PhillyCulture

philly file · May 23 2019

And the show goes on.

If you follow along with us, you know that finding the magical sides of Philadelphia is one of my favorite things to do. History is a form of magic. A moment is captured, living forever, and shared throughout time. It lays both hidden and in plain sight in many shapes. Our trip to the Walnut Street Theater for the Theater Tour was another successful chapter in my endless search of magic.

 

Acting is behaving truthfully in imaginary circumstances.
-Sanford Meisner

Guiding us through the historical building, actor and director Jesse Bernstein revealed much more than just than historical jewels. Costume croquis lined walls lead into the maze that where actors don attire and hand crafted set pieces wait in anxious anticipation. The eyes and hands of talent folk around us are pulling together the layers that will create Legally Blonde seemingly out of nothing. Magic!

Some jewels to carry with me:

  • The curtain call was born at the Walnut Street Theatre in 1820.
  • The rigging used on stage is so complex sailors were hired to handle it.
  • Edwin Booth, brother to John Wilkes Booth, once owned the theatre.

If you would also like to walk through the magic of the theatre’s history, you’re in luck! The tours run on select days until June 22 and Legally Blonde is ready for your enjoyment May 14th through July 14. Break a leg!


Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107 US

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