Ed Gilchrist, Director of Marketing and Public Relations discussed the nation’s oldest continuing theater, The Walnut Street Theatre; he discussed its many ‘firsts,’ including gas footlights and the curtain call, and who has appeared on its stage, such as Edmund Kean, the Barrymores and  Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford in their first Presidential Debate.   Mr. Gilchrist describes the Philadelphia theater scene as vibrant and spoke on the 30 million dollar impact Walnut has on the area and points to the many ‘seasons’ the Walnut self-produces.   This year the theater will present children’s programming, ‘Adopt-a-School’ and touring outreach,  a Theater School, professional apprenticeships and a residency program, using local artists and stagecrafters.  This year’s main stage line up includes Legally Blonde, Holiday Inn, Mama Mia and The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night Time.

For more information about programs, plays and tickets visit the theater website walnutstreettheatre.org