 Like many playwright-managers of his day, Dunlap adapted or translated melodramatic works by French of German playwrights, but he also wrote some 29 original works including "The Father" (1789)", André" (1798), and "The Italian Father" (1799).From 1820–30, improvements in the material conditions of American life and the growing demand of a rising middle class for entertainment led to the construction of new theatres in New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, including Catham Garden, Federal Street , the Tremont, Niblo's Garden and the Bowery.During the early part of this period, Philadelphia continued to be the major theatrical centre