The historic Colonial Theatre (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460) (the Colonial), the premiere destination for entertainment in downtown Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, announces its upcoming events and engagements for the 2024 spring and summer season. In the coming months, audiences can look forward the 25th annual Blobfest, Pride Month and Juneteenth film screenings, live performances, and the return of popular late-night immersive speakeasy experiences.
Originally built in 1902, the Colonial is the last surviving of the theatres that once existed in the borough and is the only theatre of its kind in Chester County. The theatre, originally named the Colonial Opera House, debuted its inaugural stage performance in 1903, and was home to live stage shows by Harry Houdini and Mary Pickford, vaudeville acts, and musicals. The Colonial Theatre not only survived both World Wars and the Great Depression but became a national treasure after appearing in several scenes in the 1958 release of the sci-fi horror classic The Blob.
After renovating and expanding into the adjacent former National Bank of Phoenixville building in 2017, the Colonial now consists of three theatres housed in two connected historic buildings. The older wing of the Colonial Theatre houses the box office and the 658-seat 1903 Theatre, one of only a few theatres left across the country equipped for both 35mm and 2K digital projection. The treasured 1903 Theatre offers a stunning, one-of-a-kind experience for moviegoers or live event attendees. Guests can walk the same aisles as vaudeville greats and film stars of days gone by.
The most updated wing, the former bank, houses the 174-seat White Rabbit Theatre and the intimate red luxe 65-seat Berry Theatre. Both theatres are equipped for 2k digital projection. The modern, swanky White Rabbit Theatre space boasts retractable seats, allowing for a flexible venue that can be used as a black box theatre or open auditorium. The updated wing also houses rental spaces, the main concession stand, and the bar. Programming at the Colonial includes classic, art, and independent film showings, live concerts, comedy shows, and a variety of community events.
The 25th Annual Blobfest
Along with its history as the neighborhood nerve center for stage and screen, the Colonial also has a special place in cinematic history thanks to a starring role in the 1958 classic Steve McQueen film The Blob. The theatre celebrates the iconic horror movie each year with its annual Blobfest, a weekend-long celebration featuring screenings, live performances, special engagements, tours, and more.
The Colonial hosts the 25th annual Blobfest from July 12 to 14, featuring multiple screenings of The Blob and other related film classics. Fans can begin the weekend on July 11 with a Blobest Eve screening of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John’s classic movie musical Grease, which features a scene at a drive-in movie theater playing The Blob.
The festival officially begins on July 12 with the Blobfest 2024 Stage Show and Run Out. Attendees enjoy an original, live stage show featuring our ghoul, Aurora Gorealis of Shocktail Hour, live music performed by Beach Creeper, the Shorty’s Short Film Contest, and an audience re-enactment of The Blob’s famous ‘run out’ scene! After the run-out has ended, guests will be invited back into the Colonial for the Blob Ball, an after-party hosted by LuLu Boutique & Gifterie featuring sock hop hits, swing dancing, and frozen drinks.
July 13 – Blobfest Street Fair
11 a.m. – the Fire Extinguisher Parade. Visit vendors, check in at the Colonial for your film tickets, purchase goodies at the Blobfest Merchandise tent, and more.
1 p.m., head to the parking lot at Main & Bridge Street for an all-ages, Blob-themed Costume Contest. At The Colonial, festivalgoers can attend screenings of the original and Spanish-dubbed version of the 1958 The Blob and its 1988 remake throughout the day.
July 14 – 7th Annual Blobfest 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon.
The Colonial throws a running party to help celebrate and support its historic theatre that appears in the film. The half marathon is a new addition to the theatre’s 5K, 10K, and kids’ fun-run.
After the races, participants can look forward to a final screening of The Blob, the 1972 sequel film Beware! The Blob, and the 1954 black-and-white monster film Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D.
For more information and tickets to the 25th annual Blobfest, visit thecolonialtheatre.com/blobfest/.
May-June Concerts & Evening Entertainment:
The Colonial offers a variety of concerts and late-night entertainment throughout the year in all its theatres and event spaces. The theatre hosts events that enrich the lives of its community and animate its historic spaces with off-beat experiences and performances.
On June 7, the Colonial’s hosts its immersive 1920s-themed speakeasy experience, Hush, returns to the White Rabbit Theater. Enjoy the musical stylings of Parlour Noir, a performance by the Franklin Follies, signature hooch (cocktails) featuring Bluebird Distillery products, and guests dolled up in swanky period attire.
The Colonial also presents a variety of live music and performances for audiences all summer long. On May 25, the Colonial Queens, presented by The Colonial & LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County return for an evening of drag and camp. Join Roxanne Rohls and the new Ms. Chester County Pride,
Then, on June 15, The Colonial Theatre presents Manticore – The tribute to Emerson Lake & Palmer in the 1903 Theatre. Manticore is the nation’s preeminent Emerson Lake & Palmer tribute show and is currently on tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s landmark album, Brain Salad Surgery.
Special Movie Screenings
While audiences can always come to The Colonial to see the newest summer blockbusters and indie breakout hits, the upcoming season offers special film screenings and re-releases in all three theatres.
From May 31 to June 13, The Colonial celebrates Pride Month with a series of presentations of five iconic LGBTQIA+ films, beginning with the 20th-anniversary screening of Connie and Carla starring Nia Vardalos and Toni Collette. On June 1, Judy Garland fans can celebrate the 85th anniversary of the cinema classic The Wizard of Oz in the 1903 Theatre. Then, on June 2, film fans can look forward to Ang Lee’s 2005 landmark neo-western Brokeback Mountain.
The Pride Month series at The Colonial also features a June 7 screening of the 1983 vampire drama The Hunger, starring David Bowie as the lover of an immortal vampire played by Catherine Deneuve, sponsored by the Punk Rock Flea Market. The series concludes with the trailblazing movie musical adaptation of Hedwig and the Angry Inch on June 13, sponsored by Forever Changes.
In addition to Pride Month, The Colonial is joining the Phoenixville community in celebrating Juneteenth with a special June 14 presentation of Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte’s 1972 western Buck and the Preacher. The theatre will also participate in special community activities and engagements during the 2024 Phoenixville Juneteenth Celebrations.
Then, from June 21 to 22, Exhumed Films and the Colonial present Beyond Re-Animator: A Jeffery Combs Retrospective – With Jeffrey Combs Live!, a weekend-long celebration of Jeffery Combs, one of genre cinema’s most iconic actors. The two-day marathon features screenings of nine of the iconic actor’s films, including Re-Animator, Fortress, and The Frighteners. Best of all, Combs himself will be on hand all weekend to meet with fans, introduce the films, and answer audience questions about his long career in horror and sci-fi cinema during post-show Q&As.