John A. Arneaux plays "Richard III" at the Academy of Music, then mysteriously exits the American stage. His co-star, the actor Henri Strange, remains - and strives to create a Shakespeare theater for Philadelphia's Black audiences. The second half of a two-part story.

Guest Voices
John A. Arneaux: Aaron Bell
Reporter: Bill Van Horn
R. Henri Strange: Davon Johnson
Young Woman: Journee Lutz

Transition and background music for this episode was from the album:The Music of Francis Johnson and His Contemporaries; Early 19th Century Black Composers, performed on original instruments by The Chestnut Band Company & Friends - Diane Monroe, violin, conducted by Tamara Brooks.

Additional music from The New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorak, recorded by the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, 1956.

For additional  images and information see our website's blog post and bibliography: "The Happy Possessor of a Noble Ambition":

On Sunday, June 29th,  from 10 to 11 AM, the author and podcaster Peter Schmitz will be appearing at the Brookline Books stall at the 2025 American Library Association annual conference and exhibition at the Philadelphia Convention Center. 

If you’re a librarian - or a fan of libraries - and are coming to the ALA in Philly this year, please be sure to stop by and say hello!

Support the show

"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

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© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.