It's been a harrowing year for Boston's Colonial Theatre and those who love old and historic playhouses. In October of 2015 it was announced that The Colonial, built in 1900, was to be converted by its owner, Emerson College, into a dining hall and student center.
The Colonial was known as a venue where classic Broadway shows like PORGY AND BESS, ANYTHING GOES, OKLAHOMA! and FOLLIES premiered to work out their kinks before heading to Broadway, and after protests, statements and petitions from theatre notables such as Stephen Sondheim, John Kander and Harold Prince, the decision was reversed.
Feinstein's/54 Below has now posted a video of their concert from earlier this spring, "Feinstein's/54 Below Celebrates The Colonial Theatre," featuring songs and remembrances from the theatre's historic past.
The evening was hosted by the venue's Programming Director Jennifer Ashley Tepper, who shared trivia and anecdotes about the theatre that has been host to such legends like Cole Porter, Jerry Herman, and Stephen Sondheim. Theatre professionals who tread the boards at the Colonial over several decades all came together to pay tribute to this important house.
Featured are Clyde Alves (On the Town), George Lee Andrews (A Little Night Music), Ken Billington (Chicago), Jim Brochu (Zero Hour), Todd Buonopane (Cinderella), Rebecca Eichenberger (The Phantom of the Opera), Spence Ford (King of Hearts), Anita Gillette(Cabaret), Amanda Green (High Fidelity), Joe Iconis (Be More Chill), Andrew Leggieri (The Bandstand), Danny Lincoln (The Wizard of Oz), Rob Maitner (Urinetown), Lawrence Merritt(Dear World), Kathleen Monteleone (Hands on a Hardbody), Don Pippin (La Cage Aux Folles),Rebecca Spigelman (Hairspray), Kevin David Thomas (Les Miserables), Sasha Weiss (Jerry Springer: The Opera), Jason SweetTooth Williams (Once Upon A Mattress), and Penny Worth(Chicago).
Also featured are members of Lindsay Mendez and Ryan Scott Oliver's Actor's Therapy NYC: Roger Dawley, Deidre Donohue, Allison Griffith, Megan Griffith, Michael Hajjar, Jeremy Konopka, Matthew Macfarland, Jennifer Reed, Erin Rice, Cori Stolbun, Sean Switzer, and Sean White.
Videos