The Colonial Theatre opened its doors in 1924 in the heart of the city of Keene, New Hampshire. It quickly became a focal point for the local arts and was called “New England’s most modern and perfectly appointed theater.” The Colonial has hosted movies, operas, vaudeville shows and various community events such Metropolitan Opera star Rosa Ponselle singing four encores of “O Sole Mio” and Amelia Earhart lecturing on the possibilities of cross-Atlantic air travel. The Colonial started to decline in time and by the early 1990s, it looked like it might not survive. But, in 1993, a group of locals had established the theatre as a nonprofit organization, raised funds for the renovation and in 1995 opened it to the public. Since then, more than 350 live performances have entertained audiences of all ages and at award-winning films are shown nightly.
95 Main St, Keene, NH 03431, Phone: 603-352-2033