The Colonial Theatre is the oldest continually-operating theatre in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Designed by the architectural firm of Clarence Blackall and paid for by Frederick L. Ames (see also Ames Building, Boston) the theatre first opened its doors for a performance of Ben-Hur on December 20, 1900. Ben Hur operated with a cast and crew of 350 people and featured eight live horses on stage in full gallop during the chariot race scene. The play was so mechnically and technically extraordinary, it was featured on the cover of Scientific American. It is located at 106 Boylston on the Boston Common at the former site of the Boston Public Library, In the early and mid 20th century, Boston was a well-known venue for Broadway producers to try out new productions before bringing them to New York. The residents of Boston were therefore treated to a sneak peek at many well-known Broadway shows at the Colonial. Other notable Boston theatres of the day are the Majestic, Shubert, Wilbur and the Metropolitan. Notable shows which were previewed at the Colonial before opening on Broadway include: Anything Goes Red, Hot and Blue Porgy and Bess Oklahoma! (called Away We Go! in Boston) The Merchant of Yonkers Born Yesterday Carousel Annie Get Your Gun La Cage aux Folles Grand Hotel Follies Beatlemania (musical) A Little Night Music The Diary of Anne Frank Seussical The Musical Tallulah High Fidelity

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Present day

Presently the Colonial Theater continues to house Broadway and Pre-Broadway shows and is often the first theater in the country to house national tours of Broadway shows. Because of its size, the Colonial can often host highly technical musicals that the smaller houses, such as the Shubert and the Wilbur, are unable to put on. Recent shows include Avenue Q, Mamma Mia!, The Producers and the kick-off of the first national tour of Monty Python's Spamalot.
The Colonial has also played host to much larger shows such as Les Miserables, but after the renovation of the newly restored Opera House, some of its usuals were taken away. Nonetheless, the Colonial continues to be a testing ground for Broadway-bound shows. In the fall of 2008 a revival of the classic musical Brigadoon and a brand new musical called Nice Work If You Can Get It featuring the songs of George and Ira Gershwin and starring Harry Connick Jr. will have their world premiers at the Colonial before moving to the Great White Way.