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A National Historic Landmark and the official State Theatre of Pennsylvania, the Walnut Street Theatre is the country’s oldest theater.
Today, the historic space offers everything from time-honored plays to Tony Award-winning musicals — with new shows introduced each season.
Once owned by the famous Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth — one of the greatest actors of his time (and John Wilkes’ brother) — the Walnut’s legacy is preserved in the lobby’s excellent display of photos and memorabilia.
The repertory’s wide appeal is reflected in the size of the theater’s subscription audience, which is the largest of any regional theater company in the world.
There’s even a special series just for kids.
While it began as a circus in 1808, the Walnut Street Theatre was soon setting theatrical trends: installing the nation’s first gas footlights (1837) and air conditioning with Mr. Barry’s Patent Cool Air Machine (1855).
A National Historic Landmark, the Walnut Street Theatre is the country's oldest theater.
Some of the world’s most famous actors have played here, including Marlon Brando, Paul Robeson, Audrey Hepburn, Helen Hayes, Groucho Marx, Sidney Poitier and many others.
With its centuries-old bricks attractively exposed in places, today’s theatergoers can actually touch the venue’s history.
Looking to snag tickets? The Walnut Street Theatre offers some of the best savings options in town.
A limited number of reduced-price tickets are available for each show, making live theater accessible to a wider audience. Plenty of performances offer day-of discounts. Plus, deeply discounted standby tickets are available for sold-out shows, along with rush tickets for youth (24 and under), active military and members of the entertainment industry.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia) and overnight hotel accommodations.
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