Frank Rich and More Support Petition to Save the Historic Colonial Theatre in Boston

Emerson College recently turned off the lights at the Colonial Theatre and ceased operations until further notice. Now, the theatre community is doing what it can to save the venue.

"The Colonial Theatre is the oldest continually operating theater in Boston; it has served as a pre-Broadway testing ground for many of today's American classics, and for the city of Boston it has served as a beautiful and historic venue to take in a show," reads a Change.org petition started by "Emerson College Community" to restore operations at the Colonial Theatre. So far, the petition has 3,313 supporters, including former New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich.

Rich describes the notion of shutting down the theatre as 'shameful,' writing, "It is astonishing that Emerson College, which thinks of itself as an institution furthering the arts, would be preparing to deface the Colonial Theater in Boston."

He says the theatre is not only of national significance, but personal significance to him as well. "This legendary Broadway tryout house was where I, as a college student, attended and reviewed the very first performance of the Stephen Sondheim musical "Follies" in its legendary original Harold Prince-Michael Bennett production, previewing on its way to New York in 1971. As "Follies" fans know, the show takes place in a fabled old theater about to be demolished for a parking lot. What Emerson is planning to do to the Colonial is an egregious example of life imitating art. Those who care may want to sign this petition with the hope of being heard."

Besides being the pre-Broadway home of FOLLIES, the theatre also housed the premiere of another Sondheim hit, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, as well as ANYTHING GOES, PORGY AND BESS, OKLAHOMA! (entitled AWAY WE GO! at the time), CAROUSEL, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, PROMISES, PROMISES, and many more.

The petition further reads, "Emerson College is known for their role in the reinvigoration of the theatre district, including restorations of both the Paramount and Cutler Majestic theatres. Now, as the College turns the Colonial dark and the future of the building has been left concerningly vague, it's important for the Emerson Community and City of Boston to speak up before the Colonial is relegated to dining hall or campus center."

Click here to sign the petition and save the Colonial Theatre.