New Mural Celebrates Scranton's Vaudeville History

The 'Song of the City' mural will depict famous vaudeville performers on a downtown building.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A new mural honoring Scranton's history with vaudeville is coming to downtown. The 'Song of the City' mural, commissioned by Scranton Tomorrow and Lackawanna County, will be painted by Philadelphia artist Jon Laidacker on the corner of Linden Street and Penn Avenue. The mural will feature a master of ceremonies under a proscenium arch, surrounded by bubbles depicting famous vaudeville acts like the Marx Brothers, Harry Houdini, and Charlie Chaplin.

Why it matters

Scranton was once a hub for vaudeville performances, with many theaters lining Penn Avenue in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This mural aims to celebrate that rich entertainment history and legacy in the city.

The details

The mural, titled 'Song of the City,' will be created using Poly tab and will depict a master of ceremonies under a proscenium arch, with bubbles surrounding the arch featuring famous vaudeville performers like the Marx Brothers, Harry Houdini, and Charlie Chaplin. The mural is a joint venture between Scranton Tomorrow's mural arts program and Lackawanna County.

  • The mural is expected to start installation in the next few weeks.
  • The mural is anticipated to be completed by the end of summer or beginning of fall 2026.

The players

Jon Laidacker

A Philadelphia artist who will be painting the 'Song of the City' mural.

Scranton Tomorrow

A nonprofit organization leading the mural arts program that is commissioning the 'Song of the City' mural.

Lackawanna County

The county partnering with Scranton Tomorrow on the 'Song of the City' mural project.

Michael Gilmartin

A Scranton Tomorrow board member who explained the historical significance of vaudeville in Scranton.

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What they’re saying

“There was a saying, 'if you played Scranton, you could play anywhere.' In other words, if you were successful here, you could make it to the to the big stage and developed more of a reputation.”

— Michael Gilmartin, Scranton Tomorrow board member (fox56.com)

The takeaway

This mural will serve as a vibrant tribute to Scranton's rich entertainment history, celebrating the city's legacy as a hub for vaudeville performances in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.