heritage

The DuPont Theatre, formerly The Playhouse Theatre, in Wilmington, Delaware, presents national touring productions of Broadway shows and is the oldest continuously operating legitimate theatre in the country. Located in the luxurious Hotel du Pont, the brightest stars of stage and screen have lit the Wilmington sky and graced the lovely 1,252-seat Victorian theatre since 1913.

Known to residents of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland as “Delaware’s Broadway Experience,” DuPont Theatre presents an outstanding six-show Broadway Series, and our acclaimed Children’s Series entertains and inspires more than 40,000 children per year.

1913 – Three Men—One Dream

Built in 1913, the DuPont Theatre was the dream of J.J. Raskob, Pierre S. du Pont, and R.R.M. Carpenter, executives of the DuPont Company. The intention was to have as many of the big New York productions as possible preview their shows in Wilmington before they went to New York. The theatre was designed by Charles A. Rich after the design of the now-demolished New York Playhouse, with the Wilmington firm of Brown and Whiteside appointed to assist. It took 150 working days for the completion of the construction, using more than 2,000 tons of concrete. The DuPont Theatre was one of the largest theatres at the time, with a stage measuring 38 feet deep and 85 feet wide. Being located in the elegant Hotel du Pont, the theatre patron was able to combine world-class dining and lodging with the theatre, now a unique experience in the world of Broadway national touring theatres.

1920-1950

The theatre was first leased by William A. Brady, a New York Producer, followed by other lessees until 1926 when talk of abandoning the DuPont Theatre as a performing center escalated. Even the renowned Shubert Brothers attempted to rescue it. Despite appearances by Mae West, Ethel Barrymore, and Fred and Adele Astaire, the Shuberts announced they would close the theatre in the beginning of 1928. With this somber news, the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce called a public meeting imploring the community to render support. Within a few days, more than 300 subscriptions were promised for each opening night, and the Shuberts agreed to pay. They remained managers until 1930 when the DuPont Company continued a contract-lease method of operation. The 1930s brought the Great Depression, forcing many theatres to close. In addition, movie theatres began taking over the stage theatres and many Broadway stars migrated to Hollywood. However, such stars as Orson Wells, George M. Cohan, Lillian Gish, Helen Hayes, and John Barrymore made it to the DuPont Theatre stage. Everybody’s favorite, Lucille Ball, appeared in 1937 in the world premiere of “Hey Diddle Diddle.” In 1946, the DuPont Company assumed active management for the first time. Theatre prices began to rise, movies became even more popular, and the nation experienced a new prosperity. Proudly, the DuPont Theatre never succumbed to the conversion from live theatre to movie house, making it the longest continuously operating legitimate theatre in the nation.

1950-1970

In the next two decades, student tickets, free parking for subscribers, telephone sales, dinner-theatre combinations, and mini-series subscriptions were introduced. Name stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Victor Borge, Rosalind Russell, George C. Scott, Robert Redford, Bette Davis, and Patty Duke appeared on stage. Ingrid Bergman performed “Captain Brassbound’s Conversion” and Ginger Rogers starred in “Anything Goes.”

1980s

In the 1980s such major hits as “Cabaret” with Joel Gray, “42nd Street,” “Annie,” and “Les Miserables” and such stars as Tommy Tune and Robert Morse appeared. The theatre continued its long tradition of opening shows here with the premiere of the revival of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” starring Kathleen Turner.

1988

The inception of the Children’s Series in 1988 marked the introduction to live theatre for thousands of students in the Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey area. As the children walk through the plate glass doors and enter this elegant setting with crystal chandeliers, plush carpeting, and ornate decorations, their wonder is obvious. “Look at those diamond lights!,” they exclaim. They come to see biographical musicals about Columbus, Lincoln, and Jesse Owens, historical themes featuring railroad building, Buffalo Soldiers, and Harriet Tubman, and classic tales such as “Anne of Green Gables,” “Goldilocks,” and “The Secret Garden.”

1990s

The 1990s ushered in wonderful hit shows like “Chicago,” “Cats,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” “STOMP,” and “The Secret Garden.” The National tour of “Grease” starring Rosie O’Donnell opened here. Stars such as John Davidson, Tim Conway, Roddy McDowell, Nell Carter, Maurice Hines, and Christopher Plummer continued to grace the stage.

2000

This new era continued the practice of bringing world-class shows to the great First State. “Les Miserables” returned for its final tour and “Rent” made its first appearance on a Delaware stage. Julie Andrews made her directorial debut in a sassy version of “The Boyfriend,” setting up its tour here in Wilmington. Stars such as Renee Taylor, Joe Bologna, Lainie Kazan, Tommy Tune, Morgan Fairchild, Stephanie Powers, James Earl Jones, and Leslie Uggams have appeared. As the theatre nears it’s 100th season in 2012, our Victorian jewel remains the only professional Broadway venue in Delaware and continues to touch the hearts of all who enter.