Emerson Colonial Theatre

The ornate 1,700-seat Colonial Theatre (built in 1900) is now owned by Emerson College, but it holds the title as the oldest continually operating theatre in America—except for its renovation closures, that is. The hand-painted murals in the lobby, mosaic flooring, and gold leaf covered moldings are highly impressive. But the Colonial Theatre’s considerable cachet was built from its reputation for pre-Broadway premieres of musicals that became icons in the industry. The theater still has significant premieres, and it also hosts all kinds of productions, both classic and contemporary.