Colonial Theatre

Old-school opulence meets Broadway-caliber spectacle at this storied locale.

by Contributor

History
The Colonial is the oldest continuously operating theater in Boston. Many believe that, inch for inch, it is the most exquisite venue in the city. Designed by architect Clarence Blackall in 1900, the Colonial literally set the stage for a boom of theater construction that continued in Boston for the next two decades.

Features
Blackall imbued the Colonial with all the trappings patrons expected in a performance hall dedicated to legitimate theater: Italian marble walls, wraparound balconies, three spectacular chandeliers, a 40,000-piece mosaic tile vestibule, and friezes populated by male and female figures representing virtue and literary muses. For all its opulence, however, the Colonial is a comfortable, moderately scaled venue. Unlike the Wang, whose enormity can engulf and overwhelm the viewer, the Colonial is far more manageable. It seats 1,658 in its fan-shaped auditorium, a design that provides superior sightlines.

08/13/02

Don't Sit In the Balcony!

by mswhimiscal

The Colonial is one of the few theatres which show "professional" sometimes broadway productons. My recommendation is to never sit in the balcony. My opinion is that the seats are very uncomfortable!

• Pros: good shows
• Cons: expensive, parking expensive