{"id":157,"date":"2021-10-25T02:38:39","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T02:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/?p=157"},"modified":"2022-01-05T02:52:32","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T02:52:32","slug":"the-troubled-history-of-the-trocadero-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/theaters\/the-troubled-history-of-the-trocadero-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of the Trocadero Theater"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

researched and written by Tanijah Johnson and Ryan Norton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Trocadero Theater\u2019s 149-year history is marked by reinvention, as the venue in Philadelphia\u2019s Chinatown changed in response to cultural shifts as well as economic necessity. Its original run as a theater space for minstrel shows and musical comedies, the popular entertainment at the time in the late 19th century, was followed by a turn to the burlesque at the start of the new century. For the next 75 years, the \u201cTroc\u201d specialized in strip-tease performances that drove the theater\u2019s seedy reputation. It featured popular comedians of the day such as Red Skelton and Abbott and Costello along with \u201cburlesque queens\u201d Tempest Storm, Georgia Southern, Blaze Starr and Carlotta Tendant. By the late 70s, however, burlesque was significantly less popular, as many would-be patrons went to porn theaters for more explicit entertainment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With its closing in 1978, the Troc was purchased by Stephen Pang, who converted it into a movie theater for Chinese cinema in addition to some live performances. The theater was a community staple for Chinatown residents, but after only 7 years, it started to focus on rock music performances. Movie screenings were less of a main attraction. The Troc drew many notable acts, including Pearl Jam, the Foo Fighters, and Bob Dylan. In the 21st century, its popularity as a rock music club waned as more and more venues opened up around Philly, until it finally closed in 2019. It remains to be seen whether a revival of the historic theater will occur.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fate of old theater spaces is precarious, as debate remains over whether they should be preserved in their original state for historical importance, or updated and adapted to the times. The Troc seemingly struck a balance over the years in preserving its classic features and aesthetic while adapting the use of the space and the entertainment it provided. Still, it faced a bleak fate and now rests empty and silent after so many years of people coming through and stories being told. Even though it eventually closed, the Troc is not a failure in that its history is so rich and meaningful to the people involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical Timeline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The exterior of the Trocadero Theatre, Sept. 30, 1917 ~ CITY OF PHILADELPHIA DEPT. OF PUBLIC RECORDS<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The renovated Troc exterior in 1973 ~ Temple University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cYolanda Lace\u201d performs for the final packed house at the Troc before it transitions into an arthouse cinema theater on March 31, 1978 ~ Temple University Libraries, Special<\/em> Collections Research Center<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Upon the Troc’s end as a burlesque house, owner Tony Yoyart commented on the lack of interest in strip-tease: “The young fellows today want to see flesh all the time. They’d rather put a quarter in a peep show than pay $5 for a live show here.” ~ Flyer and quote sourced from Athenaeum archives<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kids looking at advertisements for film screenings at the Troc c. 1980 ~ Temple University Libraries, Special<\/em> Collections Research Center<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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1870 \u2014 opens as the “Arch Street Opera House,” specializing in minstrel shows and musical comedies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1872 \u2014 burned down<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1879 \u2014 rebuilt and renamed the “Park Theatre”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1883 \u2014 burned down again<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1884 \u2014 rebuilt and reopened as the “New Arch Street Opera House”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1902 \u2014 renamed “Trocadero Theatre”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1903 \u2014 began showing vaudeville\/burlesque which would be a main attraction at the Trocadero for the next 75 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1944 \u2014 the shortening of the name to the “Troc” catches on<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1940s-1960s \u2014 peak operation as a burlesque house<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1978 \u2014 added to National and Philadelphia Registers of Historic Places<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1978 \u2014 on April Fool’s Day, the Troc hosts its final strip-tease performance before ending its run as a burlesque house <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1979 \u2014 purchased and renovated by Stephen Pang, issuing in a new era of showing Chinese cinema and renting out the space to fine arts organizations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1986 \u2014 rebranded by Rick Blatstein as a rock music venue and club; movies are shown on certain nights<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2019 \u2014 the Trocadero closes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An epic stage dive at the Troc by Ryan Dunn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Troc exterior in 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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