The Colonial Theatre

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Mar 19 – 25

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Hey Colonial Fans!

Broken Embraces has its last screening tonight (Thursday) at 7:30PM. We’re showing The Lovely Bones (filmed partially in Royersford!) Mon, Mar 22 thru Thu, Mar 25. Crazy Heart starts on Mar 26.

We have two concerts this weekend: Two Funny Philly Guys on Friday night, which is sold out, and Entrain, Slo-Mo & Ben Arnold at 8PM on Saturday night. More info on that show is below.

We also have a silent film with live organ accompaniment on Sunday at 5PM. Help support the TOSDV Organ Restoration Fund by coming out to see Tillie’s Punctured Romance. Tickets are $10 and $5 for children 12 and under.

Our Young Audiences show for this Saturday (2PM) is Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) which has become quite a St. Patrick’s tradition for us. It’s a live action Disney classic from 1959 and stars a very young Sean Connery. Next week, we’re super excited to welcome Billy Kelly for his first concert at the Colonial. We’re expecting a fantastic show!

Our classic film this Sunday (2PM) is From Here to Eternity featuring a buff Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr tossing about on the beach. Next week we wrap our month of 1950’s Oscar contenders with On the Waterfront.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Mar 12 – 18

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Good afternoon Colonial Fans!

A Single Man has its last screening tonight (Thursday) at 7:30PM. Broken Embraces, directed by Pedro Almodovar and starring Penelope Cruz, starts tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30. Crazy Heart starts on Mar 26.

FFFN Alert: We’re showing the 35mm print of Zombie tomorrow night at 10:10PM. Tom Whalen (the artist who designs our FFFN posters) won’t be here, but we will still have his Aliens (just a few left) and Zombie posters for sale for $10 each. Don’t forget we also have very cool, glow-in-the-dark FFFN t-shirts designed by Neo-Pangea for sale for only $15.

Our Young Audiences show for this Saturday is a collection of Looney Tunes cartoons featuring Foghorn Leghorn and friends, and the work of Chuck Jones. The list of cartoons is here. Show time is 2PM and tickets are $4. We had a pretty big turnout when we showed Looney Tunes last year, so you may want to buy your tickets in advance online, or come a little early to the show.

Our classic film this Sunday is one of the first classic films I remember seeing as a kid with my Dad, The Quiet Man starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. I plan on bringing my daughter with me, although she’s a bit of a reluctant classic film viewer. (I must bend her to my will!) The film is appropriate for ages 8+.

I’ve added all of our kids and classic films through June to the website, so check it out when you have some time. There are some great films coming up!

Finally, I want to express our big, HUGE thanks to all the members who joined in February and helped us surpass our goal of signing up 100 members by March 1. Our members came out in high style for the Oscar party on Sunday night, and by the looks of things, everyone had a great time. I think the highlight of the evening was when The Blob and the Colonial marquee showed up (twice!) in the horror film montage during the Oscar ceremony. Our audience gave a collective, enthusiastic cheer. It was a great, spontaneous moment! Here’s the montage on YouTube, although it’s poor quality. The Blob shows up at about 4:04 and 4:49.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Feb 26 – Mar 4

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The 2010 Oscar Nominated Short Films has its last screening tonight (Thursday) at 7:30PM. We’re showing the Live Program at this screening. The Messenger starring Woody Harrelson starts tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30PM. A Single Man starts on Mar 5, and Broken Embraces starts on Mar 12.

Tomorrow (Feb 26) is the last day to RSVP for our Oscar Party. If you are not already a member, please show us some love this February and help us reach our goal of signing up 100 new members by March 1 – join today! It looks like we’re going to make our goal, but we still need you!

Our Young Audiences show for this Saturday is Two of a Kind (ages 4+), a local award-winning musical duo. Tickets are $7 if purchased in advance online, and will be $8 at the door. The live shows are always popular, so do try to get here by 1:45PM for the 2PM show. With your extra time your kids can sign up for our PopCard!

On Sunday at 2PM we wrap up our Bogart month with The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), directed by John Huston.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

PAMS Make a Difference Resources

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Below are resources for the Phoenixville Area Middle School students who have chosen the Colonial Theatre for their Make a Difference project.

Historic Preservation:

Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Cinema Treasures

PreservationDirectory.com

Youth & Historic Preservation

Arts Advocacy:

Americans for the Arts

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Media Literacy:

Film Education

What is media literacy?

What is film studies?

Web English Teacher: Media Literacy

PBS.org: Children and Media

Film Mobile

The Global Film Initiative

More on the Colonial:

Colonial You Tube Channel

Colonial Facebook Page

Colonial Flickr Page

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Feb 19 – 25

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus has its last screening tonight (Thursday) at 7:30PM. The 2010 Oscar Nominated Short Films start tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30PM. Please be sure to check the Oscar Shorts times carefully below or on the website, as we are alternating the Animated and Live Action programs. All shorts will be shown on DVD. The Messenger, starring Woody Harrelson, starts on Feb 26.

You have one more week (til Feb 26) to RSVP for our Oscar Party. If you are not already a member, please show us some love this February and help us reach our goal of signing up 100 new members by March 1 – join today! We’re well past the halfway mark, but we still need you!

Our Young Audiences show for this Saturday is The Segal Puppet Theatre & Co. presents A Ducky Day in the French Cafe (ages 4+). These shows are always popular, so do try to get here by 1:45PM for the 2PM show. With your extra time your kids can sign up for our PopCard!

On Sunday at 2PM we’re continuing our Bogart month with High Sierra (1948), directed by Raoul Walsh and written by John Huston.

The thought of parking in the borough may have you flummoxed, but fear not! The word on the street is that the Justice Center parking lot (just west of Bridge & Gay) is clear and patrons may park there for the evening screenings. Similarly the Phoenix Federal lot on Main Street is clear, as is the Baptist Church lot on Church & Gay. The borough has been busy clearing as many blocks as they can, so things are definitely improving.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Feb 12 – 18

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Up in the Air has its last screening tonight (Thursday) at 7:30PM. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus starts tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30PM. The Oscar Nominated Short Films starts on Feb 19.

The thought of parking in the borough may have you flummoxed, but fear not! The word on the street is that the Justice Center parking lot (just west of Bridge & Gay) is clear and patrons may park there for the evening screenings. Similarly the Phoenix Federal lot on Main Street is clear, as is the Baptist Church lot on Church & Gay. The municipal lots are still snowy so they may not be the best bet.

Our Sixth Annual Members’ Oscar Party is on Sun, Mar 7 from 6PM until the awards show is over. We have some new and pretty cool things planned for this year’s party. If you are not already a member, please show us some love this February and help us reach our goal of signing up 100 new members by March 1 – join today! If you are already a member, or after you join, you can read all about the party and RSVP online.

Our Young Audiences show for this Saturday is Shorts for Tots, a collection of short animated films ideal for ages 5 – 9. You can see a complete list of the films on our website. My personal favorite is Asthma Tech.

On Sunday at 2PM we’re showing Casablanca (1942) which was a big hit last Valentine’s weekend. The film is sponsored by Neumann University. Come a little early and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine courtesy of The Columbia Bar and Grille.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Feb 5 -11

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Up in the Air starts tonight (Friday) at 7:30PM. It’s also First Friday which means Fright Night! At 10PM we’re screening a new 35mm print of Aliens (1996). Artist Tom Whalen will be here before the screening to sell limited editions of his custom Aliens poster — for just $10! The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus starts on Feb 12 and the Oscar Nominated Short Films starts on Feb 19. Please note that our Young Audiences show for this Saturday, East Meets West, has been CANCELED due to the impending snow storm. More details are below. All film screenings will go on as scheduled this weekend.

Speaking of the Oscars, the nominations were announced on Tuesday and you can see them all here. Start thinking about your picks and enter our Oscar Pool – ballots will be in the lobby starting this weekend.

Our Sixth Annual Members’ Oscar Party is on Sun, Mar 7 from 6PM until the awards show is over. We have some new and pretty cool things planned for this year’s party. If you are not already a member, please show us some love this February and help us reach our goal of signing up 100 new members by March 1 – join today! If you are already a member, or after you join, you can read all about the party and RSVP online.

Our Young Audiences show for this Saturday, East Meets West, has been CANCELED due to the impending snow storm. That’s the bad news. The good news is that we have tentatively rescheduled the performance to take place during our summer series — on Tue, Jul 27 at 10:30am. I also confirmed that this is the week that Hua Hua will teach an arts camp here at the theatre (Jul 26 – 30). Details will follow asap. All tickets to the Feb 6 performance will be honored at the Jul 27 performance. We are sorry for the inconvenience and hope you will be able to join us for the summer show.

On Sunday at 2PM we’re kicking off our month of Humphrey Bogart classics with Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), also starring James Cagney. The following Sunday, Feb 14, we’re showing Casablanca (1942) which was a big hit last Valentine’s weekend. The film is sponsored by Neumann University. Come a little early and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine courtesy of The Columbia Bar and Grille.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Jan 29 – Feb 4

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

In concert news, tickets for Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra on Sat, May 8 go on sale this Saturday at 12PM. Tickets are still available for The British Invasion Tribute this Sat, Jan 30 at 8PM and they’re just $20! Click on the link at left to check out the special offer from Iron Hill for BI ticket holders.

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is tomorrow (Friday) 6PM at Franklin Commons. Tickets for this fundraiser to benefit our classic film series are $100 per person and can still be purchased online. Email Mary if you have any questions about this event.

The Young Victoria has its last screening tonight (Thursday) at 7:30PM. Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, starts tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30PM. Please note that there will be no screenings of Invictus on Saturday due to the British Invasion concert. Up in the Air starts on Feb 5, and the Oscar Nominated Short Films starting on Feb 19.

On Saturday at 2PM we’re showing Flushed Away (2006) a terrific animated film from the creators of Wallace & Gromit that you may have easily missed when it was first released. We’re recommending it for ages 5+.

On Sunday we’re hosting a silent film screening / fundraiser for TOSDV, the organization behind our pipe organ restoration. They’re showing Steamboat Bill, Jr. (Buster Keaton, 1928) at 2PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. More info is here.

Calling all Colonial members and prospective members! Our Sixth Annual Members’ Oscar Party is coming up on Sun, Mar 7 from 6PM until the awards show is over. We have some new and pretty cool things planned for this year’s party. Details will be sent out in a separate email today or tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that. If you are not already a member, please show us some love this February and help us reach our goal of signing up 100 new members by March 1 – join today!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

British Invasion at the Colonial and Iron Hill

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Great news! Iron Hill Brewery (just down the street from the theatre) is currently experiencing their own British Invasion — of beers, that is –  and they have offered a great deal to our British Invasion concert ticket holders: show your ticket stub before or after the concert and get a complimentary beer and English cheese pairing! More info on the concert can be found here.

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Jan 22 – 28

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

In concert news, we’ve just added a second all reserved seating show: Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra on Sat, May 8. Ticket information will be coming soon. Tickets are still available for The British Invasion Tribute coming up on Sat, Jan 30 at 8PM and they’re just $20!

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is coming up fast! It’s Fri, Jan 29 at 6PM at Franklin Commons. This event is a fun way to support the Colonial (and drink whisky, and eat chocolate and cheese, and socialize – need we say more?!) All proceeds will help fund our Classics on Sundays film series. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online.

The Young Victoria is staying with us for another week. Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend are lovely to watch as the idealistic and righteous Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Next up: Invictus starting on Jan 29, Up in the Air starting on Feb 5, and the Oscar Nominated Short Films starting on Feb 19.

On Saturday at 2PM we’re showing Pride and Prejudice (2005) starring Kiera Knightly. We could probably have a fierce debate after the screening about the virtues of this version compared to the marvelous BBC version — who’s in?! Then, on Sunday at 2PM we’ve got one of the best dance films of all time, West Side Story (1961).

Last night Tom Whalen (strongstuff.net) dropped off a large version of his Aliens poster and it is brilliant! Come check it out in our poster case on Bridge Street. We’ll have prints (11×17) available at the Aliens screening (Feb 5 at 9:45PM) for $10 and Tom will be on hand to sign them!

On the last Sunday of the month (Jan 31), we’re hosting a silent film screening / fundraiser for TOSDV, the organization behind our pipe organ restoration. They’re showing Steamboat Bill, Jr. (Buster Keaton, 1928) at 2PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Calling all Colonial members! Our Sixth Annual Members’ Oscar Party is coming up on Sun, Mar 7 from 6pm until the awards show is over. We have some new and pretty cool things planned for this year’s party. Details will be sent out in a separate email next week, so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Jan 15 – 21

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Did you hear that we’re starting to offer all reserved seating at concerts?! The first reserved show is Al Stewart on Fri, May 14. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online. More info about ticket prices is here.

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is coming up fast! It’s Fri, Jan 29 at 6PM at Franklin Commons. This event is a fun way to support the Colonial (and drink whisky, and eat chocolate and cheese, and socialize – need we say more?!) All proceeds will help fund our Classics on Sundays film series. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online. (They make a pretty cool gift!) Email Mary if you have any questions about this event.

The Maid has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. The Young Victoria starts tomorrow, Friday, at 7:30PM. We’ve just booked Up in the Air to start on Feb 5.

On Saturday at 2PM we’re showing A League of Their Own (1992), the feisty and funny baseball movie for girls starring Geena Davis, Tom Hanks and Madonna. Then, on Sunday at 2PM we’ve got a more serious, but no less extraordinary dance film than last week’s — The Red Shoes (1948). It’s a new print too so it should look gorgeous!

A clarification for our First Friday Fright Night fans – our screening in March of Zombie (1979, Lucio Fulci) will be on the First Friday, March 5 at 9:45PM. In other FFFN news, Tom Whalen (strongstuff.net) has designed an amazing, custom poster for our Aliens screening on Feb 5. We’ll have prints (11×17) available for $15 at the screening. I’m already plotting where to hang mine.

On the last Sunday of the month (Jan 31), we’re hosting a silent film screening / fundraiser for TOSDV, the organization behind our pipe organ restoration. They’re showing Steamboat Bill, Jr. (Buster Keaton, 1928) at 2PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Jan 8 – 14

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Happy New Year! We are very excited to announce that our first ALL RESERVED SEATING show is AL STEWART on Fri, May 14. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online. More info about ticket prices is here.

The Maid starts tomorrow, Friday, at 7:30PM. Our next feature will be The Young Victoria starting Jan 15. This year we were able to schedule the Oscar-nominated short films to screen before the Academy Awards show on Mar 7 (details about our Oscar Party will be coming soon). We’ll have the live action and animated shorts here from Feb 19 – 25.

On Saturday at 2PM we’re showing Akeelah and the Bee (2006), a lovely film about an 11-year old spelling champ. Then, on Sunday at 2PM we’re showing one of my all time favorite films, Singin’ in the Rain. I’ve never seen it in a theatre, so I’m really looking forward to it.

A clarification for our First Friday Fright Night Fans – our screening in March of Zombie (1979, Lucio Fulci) will be on the First Friday, March 5 at 9:45PM.

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Dec 23 – 31

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Ted the Fiddler’s Big Time Birthday Bash is TONIGHT at 8PM!! Tickets are only $12 if bought online ($13 at the door) for this great annual show. We’ll be CLOSED on Thursday and Friday. But, Mary will be here from about 10am – 12pm on Thursday for last minute ticket, membership and gift certificate sales. An Education starts on Sat, Dec 26 and The Maid starts on Jan 8. On Fri, Jan 1 we’re showing a restored print of The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) in our First Friday Fright Night slot at 9:45PM.

This Saturday at 2PM we’re showing Elf, starring Will Ferrell as an over-grown Christmas elf. Miracle on 34th Street is showing this Sunday at 2PM and The Polar Express is on Monday, Dec 28 at 2PM. (Elf and Polar Express will be screened on Blu-Ray and Miracle on 34th Street will be screened on DVD.) This wraps up our holiday screenings for the season. Happy Holidays to everyone!!

By the end of today I will have posted all of our classics, kids programs and special events for Jan – Mar to the website. It’s a great line-up so do check it out!

Many of you have gotten our annual appeal letter in the mail, and will soon receive our newsletter for Jan thru Mar. Please take a moment to check your name and address on the label. If you need to make any corrections or want to make sure we have your email address and/or phone number, you may do so online. Click here to get to the user profile page of our database. (There is also a link on every page of our website to “Edit/Update your Profile). If you haven’t used our new online system yet to purchase tickets, just follow the prompts to create a login and password. In the next screen enter your contact info. The database will match you to our existing records. A few minutes of your time can save us hours of work, so thank you for helping us keep our database accurate!

It’s not too late to make a contribution to our Annual Appeal! Any amount is appreciated and helps keep the theatre open and vibrant. Please consider a gift before the end of the year. You can donate safely online anytime. Thanks to all of our friends and patrons for your generosity — of time, interest, and financial investment – this year!

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is set for Fri, Jan 29 at 6PM. This event is a fun way to support the Colonial (and drink whisky, and eat chocolate and cheese, and socialize – need we say more?!) This year all proceeds are going to help fund our Classics on Sundays film series. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online. (They make a pretty cool gift!)

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Dec 18 – 23

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Fantastic Mr. Fox has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Red Cliff, the John Woo-directed Chinese epic, starts tomorrow, Friday at 7:30PM. We have a couple concerts this week, so Red Cliff will not have a screening everyday. Be sure to check the schedule before you come. An Education starts on Dec 26 and The Maid starts on Jan 8. Please note that we will be closed on Dec 24, 25 & 31.

This Saturday at 2PM it’s our perennial favorite, A Christmas Story. This show tends to fill up, so consider buying your tickets in advance and online — it’s the fastest and cheapest way to buy tickets to all of our shows! We are grateful for Konell Insurance for sponsoring this show.

Our other perennial holiday favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life is showing this Sunday at 2PM. Thanks to Carnevale Eustis Architects for sponsoring this film for the second year in a row!

We wrap up our live concerts for December this week with two great shows: The Eric Mintel Quartet on Sun, Dec 20 at 7PM and Ted The Fiddler’s Big Time Birthday Bash on Wed, Dec 23 at 8PM. More info is below. Tickets can be purchased online for both shows..

A couple of other things to note: In the next few days I will (finally!) post all of our classics, kids programs and special events for Jan – Mar to the website. So, keep an eye out for those.

Secondly, many of you have gotten our annual appeal letter in the mail already, and will soon receive our newsletter for Jan thru Mar. Please take a moment to check your name and address on the label. If you need to make any corrections or want to make sure we have your email address and/or phone number, you may do so online. Click here to get to the user profile page of our database. (There is also a link on every page of our website to “Edit/Update your Profile). If you haven’t used our new online system yet to purchase tickets, just follow the prompts to create a login and password. In the next screen enter your contact info. The database will match you to our existing records. A few minutes of your time can save us hours of work, so thank you for helping us keep our database accurate!

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is set for Fri, Jan 29 at 6PM. This event is a fun way to support the Colonial (and drink whisky, and eat chocolate and cheese, and socialize – need we say more?!) This year all proceeds are going to help fund our Classics on Sundays film series. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online. (They make a pretty cool gift!)

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Dec 11 – 17

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Coco Before Chanel has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Fantastic Mr. Fox starts tomorrow, Friday at 7:30PM and I am very excited to see it! Red Cliff starts on Dec 18 followed by An Education starting on Dec 26. The rest of this weekend is chock full of great stuff, so read on.

This Saturday at 2PM we will all laugh heartily at the John Cassidy and David Smith show. We have already sold nearly half our tickets and are expecting a very large crowd, so I would encourage you to buy your tickets online before Saturday. That way, you can bypass the box office window and go right through to the usher tearing tickets. You can buy your tickets here.

Our classic holiday films start this Sunday, Dec 13 with White Christmas at 2PM. Thanks to The Columbia Bar and Grille for sponsoring this film for the second year in a row!

Tickets are still available for these December shows and can be purchased online.

• The Eric Mintel Quartet – Sun, Dec 20 @ 7PM
• Ted the Fiddler’s Birthday Bash – Wed, Dec 23 @ 8PM

New concert tickets go on sale this Saturday! Two Funny Philly Guys on Mar 19; Entrain with Slo Mo on Mar 20; and Richie Havens on Apr. Buy your tickets online at ticketweb.com.

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is set for Fri, Jan 29 at 6PM. This event is a fun way to support the Colonial (and drink whisky, and eat chocolate and cheese, and socialize – need we say more?!) This year all proceeds are going to help fund our Classics on Sundays film series. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online. (They make a pretty cool gift!)

Finally, don’t forget the Firebird Festival is this Saturday! Things get started around 4PM all over the downtown. The lighting of the bird is at 8PM at the Justice Center Building. The Firebird Improv Orchestra will perform at the Colonial at 6PM.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Dec 4 – 10

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

A Serious Man has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Coco Before Chanel starts tomorrow, Friday at 7:30PM. Tomorrow is also First Friday Fright Night and we’re showing something you can bring your kids to – Gremlins at 9:45PM. Iron Hill Brewery has sponsored the film and they have generously given us $5 coupons to give to the first 100 ticket buyers, so come early to get yours!

We’re super excited that Trout Fishing In America will return to the Colonial this Sunday at 3PM. It’s been far too long since they’ve been on our stage! They have a terrific, family show planned that will entertain all ages. Tickets are $22 / $20 and are available online — the easiest, cheapest way to buy tickets! Ticket prices include a $2 per ticket Restoration Fee.

Tickets are still available for these December shows as well and can be purchased online.

• The Eric Mintel Quartet – Sun, Dec 20 @ 7PM
• Ted the Fiddler’s Birthday Bash – Wed, Dec 23 @ 8PM

There is no classic film this Sunday, as we’ll be getting the stage ready for the Trout Fishing concert at 3PM. Our holiday classics start next Sunday, Dec 13 with White Christmas at 2PM.

This Saturday at 2PM we’re hosting the always fun-filled Phoenixville Federal Bank and Trust Annual Christmas Party! This year’s cartoon is Shrek the Halls, starting at 2:45PM. Doors open at 2PM. Santa, gifts, singing, face painting, balloon animals, and magic will keep the kids busy until the cartoon starts. Tickets are free, but MUST be picked up at any Phoenixville Federal branch BEFORE Saturday.

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is set for Fri, Jan 29 at 6PM. This event is a fun way to support the Colonial (and drink whisky, and eat chocolate and cheese, and socialize – need we say more?!) This year all proceeds are going to help fund our Classics on Sundays film series. Tickets are $100 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to download a pdf about the event. Tickets to the Whisky Tasting make a unique holiday gift. Email Mary for more info.

Finally, don’t forget the Firebird Festival on Sat, Dec 12 — it’s coming up fast! Things get started around 4PM. The lighting of the bird is at 8PM at the Justice Center Building.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a week at the Colonial: Nov 27 – Dec 3

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

A Serious Man starts today, Wed, Nov 25 at 7:30PM. We will be closed tomorrow for Thanksgiving. On Friday, A Serious Man is playing at 7:00PM (NOT 7:30) and Monty Python and the Holy Grail is at 9:15PM. On Sunday night we’ve got the fabulous City Rhythm Orchestra kicking off the holiday season in style! Speaking of style, Coco Before Chanel starts on Dec 4.

We have some fun events coming up over the holidays. Here’s a few. Tickets are still available for all shows.

• Monty Python and the Holy Grail – Thanksgiving Weekend
• City Rhythm Orchestra – Sun, Nov 29 @ 7PM
• Gremlins – Fri, Dec 4 @ 9:45PM
• Trout Fishing in America – Sun, Dec 6 @ 3PM
• The Eric Mintel Quartet – Sun, Dec 20 @ 7PM
• Ted the Fiddler’s Birthday Bash – Wed, Dec 23 @ 8PM

This Sunday the Jimmy Stewart classics bow out with The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) at 2PM. Halladay Florist in West Chester is sponsoring the film. Nick Halladay has been a great supporter of our classic films and we are thankful for him. Thanks also to all of you who have come out for this wonderful films.

It’s Wonka time! Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) is showing on Sat, Nov 28 at 2PM. I just got word from Warner Bros. that we have to show this on DVD because of a conflict on their end.

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is set for Fri, Jan 29 at 6PM. This event is a fun way to support the Colonial (and drink whisky, and eat chocolate and cheese, and socialize – need we say more?!) This year all proceeds are going to help fund our Classics on Sundays film series. Tickets are $100 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to download a pdf about the event. Tickets to the Whisky Tasting make a unique holiday gift. Email Mary for more info.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Nov 20 – 26

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

The Informant! is staying with us through Tue, Nov 24. A Serious Man starts on Wed, Nov 25, and Coco Before Chanel starts on Dec 4. Please note that we will be closed on Thu, Nov 26 for Thanksgiving.

We have some wonderful events coming up – some even this weekend! Click on the names below for more information. Tickets are still available for all shows.

• The Four Bitchin’ Babes – Fri, Nov 20 @ 8PM
• Leon Redbone – Sat, Nov 21 @ 8PM
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail – Thanksgiving Weekend
• City Rhythm Orchestra – Sun, Nov 29 @ 7PM
• Gremlins – Fri, Dec 4 @ 9:45PM
• Trout Fishing in America – Sun, Dec 6 @ 3PM
• The Eric Mintel Quartet – Sun, Dec 20 @ 7PM
• Ted the Fiddler’s Birthday Bash – Wed, Dec 23 @ 8PM

This Sunday the Jimmy Stewart classics continue with Anatomy of a Murder at 2PM. Our thanks to Royal Bank America for sponsoring this film! Popcorn is their treat!

For the rest of November, the Young Audiences programs focus on the work of Roald Dahl. The new film Fantastic Mr. Fox comes out in wide release this weekend, but you can see a marvelous film version of his wry humor here on Saturday at 2PM: James and the Giant Peach. We’re also showing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) on Nov 28 at 2PM.

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is set for Fri, Jan 29 at 6PM. This event is a fun way to support the Colonial (and drink whisky, and eat chocolate and cheese, and socialize – need we say more?!) This year all proceeds are going to help fund our Classics on Sundays film series. Tickets are $100 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to download a pdf about the event.

Teen Programs update: We had to cancel our screening of How to Be on Nov 25 because of a scheduling conflict.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Nov 13 – 19

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Bright Star has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow at 7:30PM, it’s The Informant! directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Matt Damon as the biochemist who aids the FBI in busting ADM on a massive price-fixing scheme. A Serious Man starts on Wed, Nov 25.

This Sunday the Jimmy Stewart classics continue with a restored print of Vertigo at 2PM.

On Sunday night, Point Entertainment presents The Outlaws. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online, by phone at 866-468-7619, or at the Colonial box office with cash or check only.

For the rest of November, the Young Audiences programs focus on the work of Roald Dahl. The new film Fantastic Mr. Fox comes out in wide release (not at the Colonial) next weekend, but you can see marvelous film versions of his wry humor starting this Saturday at 2PM with Matilda. We’re also showing James and the Giant Peach on Nov 21 and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) on Nov 28.

Our Third Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting is set for Fri, Jan 29 at 6PM. This event is a fun way to support the Colonial (and drink whisky, and eat chocolate and cheese, and socialize – need we say more?!) This year all proceeds are going to help fund our Classics on Sundays film series. Tickets are $100 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to download a pdf about the event.

Teen Programs update: We had to cancel our screening of How to Be on Nov 25 because of a scheduling conflict.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Nov 6 – 12

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Robb Reiner and Steve Kudlow, of the Canadian heavy-metal band Anvil.

In the immortal words of David St. Hubbins, “tonight we’re going to rock you tonight!” Drown your sorrows about the Phillies at our It Goes to 11 Double Feature. Starting at 7:30PM we’re showing Anvil: The Story of Anvil followed by This is Spinal Tap. If you need some convincing to come see these two timeless rockumentaries, check out the glowing reviews here and here. My fav is Anthony Lane’s review of Anvil in The New Yorker.

Bright Star, Jane Campion’s film about John Keats, will start tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30PM and will be with us for one week. Starting Nov 13 we’ve got The Informant! directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Matt Damon as the biochemist who aids the FBI in busting ADM on a massive price-fixing scheme.

Tomorrow is also First Friday Fright Night and we’re screening another one of the films that our audience voted for back in the Spring — The Convent – at 10PM.

Muppets, Music and Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy is back on Saturday starting at 12:30 PM. We have four programs lined up for Saturday and one on Sunday at 12:15PM. Check here for all the details on this delightful family program.

This Sunday the Jimmy Stewart classics continue with Rear Window at 2PM. There is just too much great stuff to see this weekend!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Oct 30 – Nov 5

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

It Might Get Loud, the doc about guitar greats Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White, is staying with us until Wed, Nov 4. However, due to lots of concerts and special events in the next week, it won’t screen every day.Bright Star will start on Nov 6.

The SOLD OUT Blue Oyster Cult concert is tomorrow (Friday) night. When a show has sold out, rush tickets, the remaining seats in the upper balcony, go on sale after the performance has started. Patrons are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes in advance of the performance to queue up. After the show has started and all of our ticket holders are in and seated, we will evaluate how many seats are open in the upper balcony and those seats will be made available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that leg room is limited in these seats. Rush tickets are priced the same as balcony tickets for that show, in this case $29.50. We accept cash only at the box office for rush tickets.

This Saturday, the Annual Kiwanis Halloween Party returns to the Colonial. Bring the kids in their costumes and ready to strut their stuff across our stage at 1:30PM. Then, at 2PM we’ll show It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Goodies from the Kiwanis Club are up for grabs too!

This Sunday we begin a month of Jimmy Stewart classics with Harvey at 2PM. This is a terrific family film!! We’re recommending it for ages 10+.

On Sunday night Mantis Entertainment is putting on a concert with several local bands including Better Day, Rocket88 and Eden’s Unknown. Tickets will be $15 at the door. Door open at 6PM and the show starts at 6:30PM.

It’s almost Election Day (Tue, Nov 3) which means that The Muppets are almost here!! So, do go out and vote early and then bring your crew to the Colonial for Muppets, Music and Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy starting at 11AM. The day will be jam-packed with all things Muppets, as will Saturday, Nov 7 when we pick up the program again starting at 12PM. The last Muppet screening will be Muppet Fairytales on Sunday, Nov 8 at 12:15PM.

Next week just may be my favorite week at the Colonial EVER! Not only because of The Muppets invasion, but also because of the It Goes to 11 Double Feature on Thu, Nov 5. Starting at 7:30PM we’re showing Anvil: The Story of Anvil followed by This is Spinal Tap. Spinal Tap is a pop cultural touchstone worth seeing repeatedly. Really. And if you’ve never seen it, well then, c’mon over!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Oct 23 – 29

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Julie & Julia has its last screening tonight (Thursday) at 7:30PM. It Might Get Loud, the doc about guitar greats Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White, starts tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30PM and will be with us through next Thursday. Bright Star will start on Nov 6.

Spread the word — the Leon Russell concert originally scheduled for tonight has been canceled.

This Sunday we wrap up our classic horror double features with Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1942, DVD) and The Invisible Man (1933, 35mm).

Our Young Audiences Series continues with Ghostbusters on Saturday at 2PM.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show makes its October debut at the the theatre this Saturday night at 10PM. Tickets are going fast, so do buy them online to make sure you get a seat and to avoid the line at the box office. Buy your tickets here. Prop bags will be sold in the lobby for $3 per bag. No outside props are allowed. And, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Spend a Week at the Colonial: Oct 16 – 22

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Julie & Julia is still with us! This has been an unusual month, filled with lots of special events, so we’ve waited to bring in a new film until we have a full week in which to show it. And, that film is It Might Get Loud starting on Oct 23. Bright Star will start on Nov 6.

Here’s the line-up for the weekend:

• Julie & Julia – Tonight (Thu) @ 7:30PM
• Radical Reels Film Fest – Fri & Sat @ 7:30PM
• Julie & Julia – Sun @ 7PM

This Sunday we continue our month of classic horror double features with Dracula (1932, 35mm) and The Son of Frankenstein (1939, DVD). Our Young Audiences Series continues with Beetlejuice on Saturday at 2PM. And, don’t forget: we have a free screening of Coal Country on Wednesday and Leon Russell returns to the Colonial next Thursday!

Ticketing update: We did it!! We’re now using our new system. Mary wrote about this transition in the fall newsletter and I think what she said bears repeating:

“And speaking of moving forward, we are about to go on-line with our ticketing and will be accepting credit cards very soon. Some of you may look wistfully at our old-fashioned ticket machine and miss the dollars passing through hands but it is time to make it more convenient for you to purchase tickets and easier for us to understand who is coming here and what they want to see. This is probably the most intimidating upgrade for me and it will certainly produce growing pains, so please be patient with us during this transition and as always let us know what you think. In line with this, we will be instituting a facility restoration fee that will be dedicated to funding those big ticket items that historic theatres constantly have to address. This is important as we continue to improve our theatre and bring more and diverse programming to our community.” – Mary

To get the skinny on how this new system is going to work, please read the Box Office & Seating section of our website. If, after reading that, you still have some questions, check out our Ticketing FAQ page. If you’re still left wanting more info, then feel free to email me. One more random note about our website — if you use the Event Calendar on our website, you’ll notice that the week now starts on Sunday, instead of Monday, which is more intuitive. Also, did you know that you can click on the little “Zoom” button to get a full month view?

Member update: The Wharton Esherick Museum is now offering a 50% discount on museum tours to our members! Call 610-644-5822 for reservations and don’t forget to bring your Colonial membership card with you when you go. The WEM is an absolute jewel of a museum right in our back yard. If you’ve never been, there’s never been a better time than now!

Gay Street Bridge Update: The Gay Street Bridge opening ceremony is happening tomorrow at 11:00AM. The plan is to have the ribbon cutting at the center of the bridge with dignitaries and guests. There will also be entertainment and classic cars — and everyone is invited! If it is really pouring down rain, then the ceremony will take place in the lobby of the Colonial. Please join the borough in celebrating the early completion of this project.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Oct 9 – 15

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Julie & Julia has a screening tonight (Thursday) at 7:30pm. Due to all the concerts this weekend, the next showing won’t be until Mon, Oct 12 at 6:30pm. Julie & Julia will be here until Tue, Oct 20.

Here’s the line-up for the weekend:

• Buddy Holly Concert with The Rivers – Fri @ 8PM
• The Bacon Brothers Concert – Sat @ 8PM
• Nick Lowe Concert – Sun @ 7:30PM

Tickets for all shows will be available at the door for cash or check only.

This Sunday (Oct 11) we continue our month of classic horror double features with Bride of Frankenstein (1935, 35mm) and The Horror of Dracula (1958, DVD). Our Young Audiences Series (aka the Children’s Series) continues next weekend with Beetlejuice on Sat, Oct 17 at 2PM.

Concert update: Tickets for George Winston (4/7/10), Sonny Landreth (4/10/10) and Roger McGuinn (4/30/10) go on sale at 12pm this Saturday! You can buy tickets online at ticketweb.com. More details about these shows will be in the Concerts & Events section of the site by Monday.

Member update: The Wharton Esherick Museum is now offering a 50% discount on museum tours to our members! Call 610-644-5822 for reservations and don’t forget to bring your Colonial membership card with you when you go. The WEM is an absolute jewel of a museum right in our back yard. If you’ve never been, there’s never been a better time than now!

Ticketing update: It may be as soon as Monday that we’ll be ready to flip the switch on our new ticketing system which will allow you to purchase tickets to all shows, including films, online and in advance. We will also start accepting credit cards here at the theatre! Once the switch is flipped I will send out an email to all of you about how this new system will work. Thank you all for your patience while we’ve made this transition!

Gay Street Bridge Update: Jean Krack, our Borough Manager sent us an email today – “We’ve confirmed with PennDOT that the opening of the Gay Street Bridge will be at 11:00am on Friday, October 16. At this time we are planning to have the ribbon cutting at the center of the bridge with dignitaries and guests.” There will also be entertainment and classic cars — and everyone is invited! Please join the borough in celebrating the early completion of this project.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Sep 25 – Oct 1

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Theatre Horizon has been here all week rehearsing The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr [Abridged] and it looks fantastic and hilarious! There are four performances this weekend and tickets are still available for all of them — Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM and 8PM, and Sunday at 2PM. More information is below.

In the Loop has a screening tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 and will also have screenings next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Next Thursday (Oct 1) we will celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of ACT - the Association for the Colonial Theatre. We’ll screen Miller DesignWorks’ documentary about ACT, as well as Run Lola Run, the first film we showed when we opened our doors on Oct 1, 1999.

Things get started at 6PM with a cocktail party in our lobby. We’ll show the documentary short about ACT at about 7PM, followed by a Q& A about our history, a short intermission, and then Run Lola Run at 8PM. And, it’s all FREE! Please join us. All we ask is that you RSVP by calling 610-917-1228. (You don’t need to RSVP if you are coming for Run Lola Run only). Hope to see you there!

There won’t be a classic film screening this Sunday due to the Shakespeare performance, but next Sunday (Oct 4) we kick off our month of classic horror double features with Frankenstein (1931, 35mm) and The Curse of Frankenstein (1957, DVD). Our Young Audiences Series (aka the Children’s Series) also gets started next weekend with The Addams Family on Sat, Oct 3 at 2PM. Eeek!

We have some great programs coming up and we don’t want you to miss a thing, so here’s the scoop:

• Feature Film: Julie & Julia starts Oct 2
• First Friday Fright Night: The Lost Boys – Fri, Oct 2 @ 9:45
• The Rivers: Buddy Holly and the 1950’s – Fri, Oct 9 @ 8:00
• Bringing Back the Bacons – Sat , Oct 10 @ 8:00
• Nick Lowe – Sun, Oct 11 @ 7:30
• Special Screening: Coal Country – Wed, Oct 21 @ 7:30
• Leon Russell – Thu, Oct 22 @ 8:00
• Feature Film: It Might Get Loud starts Oct 23
• Rocky Horror – Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00
• Blue Oyster Cult – Fri, Oct 30 @ 8:00
• Muppets, Music & Magic – Nov 3, 7 & 8
• Spinal Tap and Anvil – Thu, Nov 5 @ 7:30

Did you know that the Colonial is on Facebook and Twitter? Become a fan and follow us!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Sep 18 – 24

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

The Cove has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow (Friday) we start a one week run of the political satire In the Loop. Please note that there will not be any screenings of In the Loop on Sunday, nor will there be a matinee screening Wed, Sep 23 because Theatre Horizon will be here rehearsing Shakespeare!

What Shakespeare, you say? From Sep 25 – 27 we’re thrilled to have Horizon Theatre here to perform The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr [Abridged]. Details on this hilarious show are below. We’re also jazzed to welcome back the amazing City Rhythm Orchestra this Sunday to perform their Benny Goodman Centennial Concert. And let’s not forget that Kevin and Michael Bacon are returning with their band on Sat, Oct 10 to perform their third benefit concert for the Colonial and the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust! Click the links at left for details.

Our theme for the classic films this month is Better on the Big Screen and this Sunday at 2PM wrap up the month with 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Our thanks to Sphere College for sponsoring this film! Next month on Sundays we’ll be showing double features of Universal and Hammer Studios classic monster films.

On Thu, Oct 1 we will celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of ACT – the Association for the Colonial Theatre. We’ll screen Miller DesignWorks’ documentary about ACT, as well as Run Lola Run, the first film we showed when we opened our doors on Oct 1, 1999. Things get started at 6PM with a cocktail party in our lobby. We’ll show the documentary short about ACT at about 7PM, followed by a Q& A about our history, a short intermission, and then Run Lola Run at 8PM. And, it’s all FREE! Please join us. All we ask is that you RSVP by calling 610-917-1228. Hope to see you there!

Did you know that the Colonial is on Facebook and Twitter? Become a fan and follow us!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Sep 11 – 17

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Cold Souls has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow (Friday) we start a one week run of The Cove. The political satire In the Loop starts on Sep 18.

From Sep 25 – 27 we’re thrilled to have Horizon Theatre here to perform The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr [Abridged]. We’re also jazzed to welcome back the amazing City Rhythm Orchestra on Sun, Sep 20 to perform their Benny Goodman Centennial Concert. And let’s not forget that Kevin and Michael Bacon are returning with their band on Sat, Oct 10 to perform their third benefit concert for the Colonial and the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust!

David Strathairn, who co-stars in Cold Souls and whom we loved in Good Night, and Good Luck is going to be starring in Nathan the Wise at People’s Light and Theatre Company from Sep 16 – Oct 11. People’s Light is offering $4 off tickets for Colonial patrons! More info at www.peopleslight.org.

Our theme for the classic films this month is Better on the Big Screen and this Sunday at 2PM we’re showing another true classic, Lawrence of Arabia (1962).

Did you know that the Colonial is on Facebook and Twitter? Become a fan and follow us!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Sep 4 – 10

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Seraphine has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow (Friday) we start a one week run of Cold Souls. The Cove starts on Sep 11, In the Loop starts on Sep 18. And, remember, we’ll be closed on Labor Day.

From Sep 25 – 27 we’re thrilled to have Horizon Theatre here to perform The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr [Abridged]. Details on this hilarious show are below.We’re also jazzed to welcome back the amazing City Rhythm Orchestra on Sun, Sep 20 to perform their Benny Goodman Centennial Concert. And let’s not forget that Kevin and Michael Bacon are returning with their band on Sat, Oct 10 to perform their third benefit concert for the Colonial and the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust! Click the links at left for details.

David Strathairn, who co-stars in Cold Souls and whom we loved in Good Night, and Good Luck is going to be starring in Nathan the Wise at People’s Light and Theatre Company from Sep 16 – Oct 11. People’s Light is offering $4 off tickets for Colonial patrons! More info at peopleslight.org.

Tomorrow is First Friday Fright Night which means cult and horror films at the Colonial. This time around we’re showing Army of Darkness (1992, Sam Raimi) on 35 mm! Bob Trate has already dropped off his Limited Edition DVD of the film so we can show you the alternate ending too. We also have a new batch of the super cool, glow in the dark FFFN t-shirts ready to go. They’re $15 a piece and help support our FFFN programming.

Our theme for the classic films this month is Better on the Big Screen, starting with The Searchers this Sunday at 2PM. Big thanks to Halladay Florist for sponsoring this film! Nick Halladay will be here to introduce the film along with Bob Trate, our go-to guy for all things classic, cult and horror (Bob also intros the Fright Night films).

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Aug 28 – Sep 3

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

The Hurt Locker has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow (Friday) we start a one week run of Seraphine. Cold Souls starts on Sep 4, The Cove starts on Sep 11, and In the Loop starts on Sep 18.

This Sunday is our last Spiritual Cinema screening sponsored by Wellsprings Congregation. It’s the terrific family film Madagascar (2005) at 2PM.

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Children’s Summer Series and helping make it a great success! We had over 600 people here for our last show this past Tuesday! And, if you missed it, don’t worry – John Cassidy will be back on Dec 12. The Children’s Series goes on hiatus for the month of September, but it’ll be back on Saturdays at 2PM starting in October. On the website you will now find the children’s programs under the category Young Audiences; and we’ve added a new category, Teen Audiences, to help the middle and high schoolers find the shows that may interest them more quickly.

Parking update: As we continue to address the parking issues downtown, we’d like to say thank you to the following businesses who have opened up their lots for free parking on nights and weekends: One Bridge Plaza (347 Bridge Street, at Starr Street), Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust (Main & Hall Streets), Borough Hall (140 Church Street), and Frees Insurance (120 Gay Street).

Finally, we have a save the date for you – on Thu, Oct 1 we will celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of ACT – the Association for the Colonial Theatre. We’ll screen Miller DesignWorks’ documentary about ACT, as well as Run Lola Run, the first film we showed when we opened our doors on Oct 1, 1999. After that, a party! More details to come.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Aug 21 – 27

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Food, Inc. has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow (Friday) we start a one week run of The Hurt Locker. Seraphine starts on Aug 28, and In the Loop starts on Sep 18. (We’re still working on films for Sep 4 & 11).

Over 300 people came out for our screening and discussion of Food, Inc. last night! We were overwhelmed with the turnout and want to thank you all for your patience while we waited to start the film until everyone was in the door. Liz Andersen has put together a reading list and a few links for more information about industrialized versus local food — all are listed at the bottom of this post.

The last two Sundays of the month see the return of Spiritual Cinema sponsored by Wellsprings Congregation. This year they’ve picked Into the Wild (2007) for this Sunday and Madagascar (2005) for Aug 30.

Our Children’s Summer Series wraps next Tuesday at 10:30AM. John Cassidy is back with an even bigger show than he did the last time he was at the Colonial! The Children’s Series goes on hiatus for the month of September, but it’ll be back on Saturdays at 2PM starting in October. All the fall shows will be posted to the website by tomorrow. On the website you will now find the children’s programs under the category Young Audiences; and we’ve added a new category, Teen Audiences, to help the middle and high schoolers find the shows that may interest them more quickly.

Finally, we have a save the date for you – on Thu, Oct 1 we will celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of ACT – the Association for the Colonial Theatre. We’ll screen Miller DesignWorks’ documentary about ACT, as well as Run Lola Run, the first film we showed when we opened our doors on Oct 1, 1999. After that, a party! More details to come.

Food, Inc. Resources

The Food, Inc. website has lots of information, including a reading list.

To see a list of cities where Food, Inc. will be screening, so you can tell your friends to go see it, check out the Magnolia Pictures website.

If you would like to organize a non-theatrical screening of the film (meaning not in a theatre, but in a library, church, or other community location) call Swank Motion Pictures at 800-876-5577.

The books that Liz Andersen suggests reading in addition to those mentioned on the Food, Inc. website are:

• The Righteous Porkchop by Niccolette Hahn Niman
• The End of Food by Paul Roberts
• Almost Meatless by Joy Manning and Tara Matazara Desmond

Some local food websites to check out are:

• www.localharvest.org
• www.buylocalpa.org
• Chester County Buy Fresh Buy Local Guide

Finally, some advocacy/policy websites to look into are:

• www.pasafarming.org
• www.cornucopia.org
• www.sustainableagriculture.net

Remember to vote with every bite!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Aug 14 -20

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Moon has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow (Friday) we start a one week run of Food, Inc. After that, we’ve got The Hurt Locker on Aug 21, Seraphine on Aug 28, and In the Loop on Sep 18. (We’re still working on films for Sep 4 & 11).

Liz Andersen, organizer of the Phoenixville Farmers’ Market and owner of Charlestown Cooperative Farm, has put together a panel for our film discussion for Food, Inc. Please join us immediately after the 7:30PM screening on Wed, Aug 19 for what is sure to be an engaging and enlightening discussion about the film and food.

This Sunday at 2PM we’re showing our last Clark Gable and Jean Harlow film, Wife vs. Secretary (1936) which also stars one of my favorite actresses, Myrna Loy.

The last two Sundays of the month see the return of Spiritual Cinema sponsored by Wellsprings Congregation. This year they’ve picked Into the Wild (2007) for Aug 23 and Madagascar (2005) for Aug 30.

Our Children’s Summer Series continues with a show by the one man hip hop orchestra, Christylez Bacon on Tue, Aug 18 at 10:30AM. I’m really looking forward to this show! Tickets are just $5 per person and will be available at the door. Next Tuesday, John Cassidy is back with an even bigger show than he did the last time he was at the Colonial! The Children’s Series goes on hiatus for the month of September, but it’ll be back on Saturdays at 2PM starting in October. Look for the schedule on our website soon!

Parking update: As we continue to address the parking issues downtown, we’d like to say thank you to the following businesses who have opened up their lots for free parking on nights and weekends: One Bridge Plaza (347 Bridge Street, at Starr Street), Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust (Main & Hall Streets), Borough Hall (140 Church Street), and Frees Insurance (120 Gay Street).

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Jul 31 – Aug 6

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Sugar has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow (Friday) we start a one week run of Summer Hours. After that, we’ve got Moon on Aug 7 and Food, Inc. on Aug 14.

A note about Food, Inc. – Liz Andersen, founder of the More »« Less, is putting together a panel for our film discussion that week. Please join us immediately after the 7:30PM screening on Wed, Aug 19 for what is sure to be an engaging and enlightening discussion about the film and food.

This Sunday it’s a new month, and we have two new themes for the Classics on Sundays series. The first three Sundays are devoted to Clark Gable and Jean Harlow. We’re screening Red Dust (1932) this Sunday at 2PM, followed by China Seas (1935) on Aug 9 and Wife vs. Secretary (1936, DVD) on Aug 16.

The last two Sundays of the month see the return of Spiritual Cinema sponsored by Wellsprings Congregation. This year they’ve picked Into the Wild (2007) for Aug 23 and Madagascar (2005) for Aug 30.

Our Children’s Summer Series continues with a show by local musician Mike Schuler on Tue, Aug 4 at 10:30AM. Tickets are just $5 per person and will be available at the door. Upcoming shows in this series are The Zany Umbrella Circus on Aug 11, an amazing musical performer Christylez Bacon on Aug 18, and our favorite balloon freak, John Cassidy, on Aug 25. Advance purchase tickets to these upcoming shows are available on our website. Don’t miss this fantastic line-up!!

August means Philadelphia Magazine’s annual Best of Philly issue and we got a mention again this year! Yay us! You’ll find us on page 154 under “Way to Spend a Sunday – Bridge Street, Phoenixville.” Thanks to Philly Mag and to all of you who participate in making the Colonial the super cool place that it is!

Finally, a parking update. As we continue to address the parking issues downtown, we’d like to say thank you to the following businesses who have opened up their lots for free parking on nights and weekends: One Bridge Plaza (347 Bridge Street, at Starr Street), Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust (Main & Hall Streets), Borough Hall (140 Church Street), and Frees Insurance (120 Gay Street).

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Jul 24 – 30

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Lemon Tree has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow (Friday) we start a one week run of Sugar. Other upcoming films are Summer Hours on Jul 31 and Food, Inc. on Aug 14.

A note about Food, Inc. – Liz Andersen, founder of the Phoenixville Farmers’ Market, is putting together a panel for our film discussion that week. Please join us immediately after the 7:30PM screening on Wed, Aug 19 for what is sure to be an engaging and enlightening discussion about the film and food.

We’re wrapping up our month of classics filmed in Phoenixville on Sunday at 2PM with From the Terrace (1960) starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. This film will be screened on DVD.

Our Children’s Summer Series continues with a show by local, award-winning author Jane Kirkland on Tue, Jul 28 at 10:30AM. Tickets are just $5 per person and will be available at the door. Advance purchase tickets are available online up until the day before the show.

Finally, a few distractions for you. First, IFC has put together a list of the 50 Greatest Trailers of All Time. And second, one of my favorite films of last year’s Children’s Series was Sita Sings the Blues. It comes out on DVD July 28. Go ahead and watch it online, put it on your Netflix queue, or pre-order it from Amazon.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Jul 17 – 23

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Goodbye Solo has it’s last screening tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow (Friday) we start a one week run of Lemon Tree. And, on Saturday night we have a 10PM screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

We’re also screening an Indian film this week. Kambakkht Ishq (which includes a cameo by Sylvester Stallone!) is showing on Friday at 9:30PM.

Our classic this week is Bright Victory (1951) which was filmed at the Valley Forge Army Hospital (now Valley Forge
Christian College). This is a terrific film that we’ve been wanting to show for years. Last fall Universal made a brand new 35mm print and that’s what we’re showing. This screening is sponsored by The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area. Many thanks to them for their support!

Our Children’s Summer Series continues with a concert by Mama Mac on Tue, Jul 21 at 10:30AM. Tickets are just $5 per person and will be available at the door. Advance purchase tickets are available online up until the day before the show.

Finally, tickets to the Bacon Brothers concert on Saturday, Oct 10 are now available for advance purchase online!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Jul 10 – 16

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Goodbye Solo is staying with us for another week, but there will be no screenings on Friday or Saturday because of BLOBFEST!!.

The Friday Night Re-Enactment Revelry Show is SOLD OUT. But, rejoice! It is just as much fun to watch the pandemonium from Bridge Street as it is to actually run out. So, do come on into town – things get started around 8PM. Tickets to the Saturday film screenings are available for advance purchase online, but only through 5PM TODAY. After that, you will need to come to the box office to buy your tickets with cash only. Tickets will also be available at the door for each screening. Check out the BlobFest event schedule on our website for more information.

You can now vote for your favorite Shorty Award nominee online! The winner of this fan vote, along with the other winners will be announced on Friday night.

For those of you coming in and out of town this weekend, please be aware that the 200 block of Bridge Street (in front of the theatre) will be closed on Saturday from 10AM until 5PM. The block will also be closed for about 20 minutes at about 9PM on Friday night for the running out.

Hey First Friday Fright Night fans! We’ve closed the voting on the films for OCtober and November and the winners are posted on the FFFN page. Thanks to all who voted! Your suggestions and comments were terrific! Also, don’t forget that The Rocky Horror Picture Show is next Saturday, Jul 18 at 10PM. Tickets will go on sale here at the theatre on Monday.

Our Children’s Summer Series continues with a show by the folks at Wondergy called LaserScience on Tue, Jul 14 at 10:30AM. Tickets are just $5 per person and will be available at the door.

In concert news, tickets for the following newly booked concerts go on sale this Saturday at 10AM: Nick Lowe, Blue Oyster Cult, The Outlaws, and The Four Bitchin’ Babes.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Jul 3 – 9

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

The last screening of Hunger is tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow night (Friday) we start a TWO week run of Goodbye Solo. It’s also First Friday Fright Night and to get ourselves in the proper kitschy state-of-mind for BlobFest, we’re showing an Ed Wood Double Feature – Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space! Show time is 9:45PM.

We will be CLOSED on Saturday. Happy Fourth of July to all!

Our classic film on Sunday at 2PM is 4-D Man (1959), the first of our Filmed in Phoenixville series this month. 4-D Man was directed by Shorty Yeaworth (The Blob) and we’re very lucky to have Shorty’s son, Kris, in the area. Kris will be here on Sunday with props and photos and to introduce the film.

BlobFest is next weekend (Jul 10 -12) and tickets are available for advance purchase online, but through 5PM on Thu, Jul 9 only. After that, you will need to come to the box office to buy your tickets with cash only.

Voting for the BlobFest Shorty Awards Fan Favorite will begin shortly on our website. Please keep checking back here. Our apologies for the delay.

Our Children’s Summer Series gets underway next week with a performance by the fabulous Cat’s Pajamas on Tue, Jul 7 at 10:30AM. They’ll have whisker painting and tattoos aplenty to help kick off the series. Tickets are just $5 per person.

In concert news, Nick Lowe has just been booked to play the Colonial on Sun, Oct 11! Ticket information will be available soon.

Here’s some exciting news! Miller DesignWorks is working on a short documentary about the first 10 years of ACT operating the Colonial Theatre. They are very talented folks so we look forward to a piece that will convey all the energy and enthusiasm that all of you have brought to the Colonial over the years. We are inviting you to share your stories with us — why you love participating in life at the Colonial, what the Colonial means to Phoenixville and to you, and what your hopes are for our future. If you have video footage, photographs, or a story you want to share with the filmmakers, please call or email us. We’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Jun 26 – Jul 2

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

The last screening of Sin Nombre is tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow night (Friday) we start a one week run of Hunger directed by Steve McQueen (no, not our Steve McQ)). Our next feature film is Goodbye Solo starting on Fri, Jul 3, and we’ve just booked Food, Inc. to start on Aug 14.

Our classic film on Sunday at 2PM is The Magnificent Seven (1960) starring none other that Steve McQueen! Can you tell we’ve got BlobFest on the brain? Speaking of which, BlobFest (Jul 10 -12) tickets are available for advance purchase online! They are selling fast, so we definitely recommend that you don’t wait too long to get yours. We also need a few more volunteers for BlobFest. If you’re interested, please email Mary.

Our Children’s Summer Series gets underway in just a few weeks. Our first performance is by the fabulous Cat’s Pajamas on Tue, Jul 7 at 10:30AM. They’ll have whisker painting and tattoos aplenty to help kick off the series. Tickets are just $5 per person.

Here’s some exciting news! Miller DesignWorks is working on a short documentary about the first 10 years of ACT operating the Colonial Theatre. They are very talented folks so we look forward to a piece that will convey all the energy and enthusiasm that all of you have brought to the Colonial over the years. We are inviting you to share your stories with us — why you love participating in life at the Colonial, what the Colonial means to Phoenixville and to you, and what your hopes are for our future. If you have video footage, photographs, or a story you want to share with the filmmakers, please call or email us. We’d love to hear from you!

We’re also looking for a scenic artist who would be willing to volunteer their time to help us with some stage design for next year’s Oscar Party. If you are interested please email me.

Finally, the Trespass concert on Aug 8 has been canceled. More information is below, or click on the concerts link at left.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Jun 19 – 25

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

The last screening of Earth is tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow night (Friday) we start a one week run of Sin Nombre. Please note that there will be no screening of Sin Nombre on Sunday because of the Lord of the Rings Marathon. Our next feature film is Hunger starting on Fri, Jun 26.

It’s here! The marathon our classic film committee has been looking forward to for well over a year! We’re showing all three Lord of the Rings films on 35mm starting at 10AM on Sun, Jun 21. Advance tickets are available and recommended.

Our Children’s Summer Series gets underway in just a few weeks. Our first performance is by the fabulous Cat’s Pajamas on Tue, Jul 7 at 10:30AM. They’ll have whisker painting and tattoos aplenty to help kick off the series. Tickets are just $5 per person.

BlobFest (Jul 10 -12) tickets are available for advance purchase!

One more programming note — we’re very excited to present Theatre Horizon and their performance of The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr this September! We have three public shows and one school show planned. Details are here.

Finally, we’re looking for a scenic artist who would be willing to volunteer their time to help us with some stage design for next year’s Oscar Party. If you are interested please email me.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Jun 12 – 18

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

The last screening of Star Trek is tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow night (Friday) we’ve got the Jake Shimabukuro concert at 8PM. Our next film is the BBC-produced and Disney-released Earth beginning on Saturday. Please note that there will be no matinee screening of Earth on Wednesday because of the Cowboy Junkies concert that evening at 7:30PM.

Tickets for Jake Shimabukuro on Friday and Cowboy Junkies on Wednesday are still available. Both promise to be amazing shows!

On Sunday at 2PM we continue our month of Movies to See with Dad with The Godfather (1972). Our thanks to P.J. Ryan’s Pub for sponsoring this screening! I’ve added all the classics booked from now through September to the classics page of our website. We’ve got some great films lined up. And soon, I’ll post our October films — classic Universal and Hammer Studios horror!

One more week until the Lord of the Rings Marathon! We’re showing all three films on 35mm starting at 10AM on Sun, Jun 21. Advance tickets are available and recommended. You can also pre-order a box lunch to eat in between the first and second films.

You can also now officially buy your advance BlobFest tickets online! 

One more programming note — we’re very excited to present Theatre Horizon and their performance of The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr this September! We have three public shows and one school show planned.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Jun 5 – 11

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

The last screening of Shall We Kiss? is tonight at 7:30PM. Tomorrow night (Friday) we’ve got the Southside Johnny concert, and then on Saturday we start a week run of the new Star Trek! (Remember last year when we showed Iron Man in June? We could be starting something here…) Here’s how the rest of the summer is shaping up for film:

• Jun 13: Earth
• Jun 19: Sin Nombre
• Jun 26: Hunger
• Jul 3: Goodbye Solo
• Jul 17: Lemon Tree
• Jul 24: Sugar
• Jul 31: Summer Hours

In addition to Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes performing tomorrow night, we have two other great concerts this month: Jake Shimabukuro on Friday, Jun 12 and Cowboy Junkies on Wednesday, Jun 17. Tickets are still available for all three shows.

On Sunday at 2PM we start our month of Movies to See with Dad with a Three Stooges show. We’re showing Have Rocket, Will Travel; Where’s Our Mummy? and Spook Louder. The show is being presented by Danny Atkinson — a huge Stooges AND Colonial fan!

I’m getting pretty excited about the Lord of the Rings Marathon! We’re showing all three films on 35mm starting at 10AM on Sun, Jun 21. Advance tickets are available and recommended. You can also pre-order a box lunch to eat in between the first and second films. All the details are on our website.

The website upgrade is complete (well, almost). There are a few more details we’re taking care of behind the scenes, but the hard part is over. You likely won’t notice much of a change — which is a good thing. The upgrade was more about the background architecture than the GUI. One thing that you will notice and that many of you have been asking for is that now you can click on the “Zoom” button on the event calendar (which is along the right hand side of each page) and get a full month view at a time! You can also subscribe to the calendar’s RSS feed to it will automatically update your iCal, or Google calendar or whatever tool you use. We will have instructions on how to do that coming shortly.

You can also now officially buy your advance BlobFest tickets online!

One last programming note — the Bacon Brothers are coming back! They will be here with their band on Saturday, October 10 to perform their third benefit concert for us and The French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust!

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you at the theatre!

Student & Parent Survey

Monday, May 18th, 2009

I've been working with some 7th grade volunteers from the Phoenixville Area Middle School to develop a survey about students' media use in general, and their use of the Colonial Theatre in particular. We used a survey created by Common Sense Media as the basis of this project and added our own specific questions about the Colonial. A parent survey is available as well, through Common Sense Media (the parent survey does not include questions specifically about the Colonial). Links to both are below.

I expect the survey results will provide enlightening, and surprising, information about how the media fits into students' lives, and how the Colonial does, or does not, fit into that media life. The future preservation of the Colonial depends on cultivating audiences who want to connect, participate, and contribute to the Colonial. The more we know our audiences and can meet their needs, the stronger our future will be. So, thank you in advance for helping us plan for our future!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE STUDENT SURVEY.

This survey is intended for students in 6th – 12th grades.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE PARENT SURVEY.

Kirsten

May 15 – 21

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Tomorrow (Friday) we start a run of Gomorrah (above), the gritty Italian mafia film that won the Grand Prize at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. Shall We Kiss?, a French romance (well, sort of!), starts on Friday, May 22.

Pray the Devil Back to Hell has its last screening tonight at 7:30PM.

We continue our month of classics to see with Mom on Sunday at 2PM with The African Queen (1951) starring Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart and directed by John Huston. It's a wonderful movie and is absolutely appropriate for ages 8 and up. I've only seen it once — with my Dad when I was about 10 years old, so I'm looking forward to seeing it again, this time on the big screen. We're also fortunate to have a rare restored print of the film, so do join us!

Tickets for Leon Redbone, at the Colonial on Sat, Nov 21 at 8PM, go on sale this Saturday (May 16) at 12PM online at at 4PM at the Colonial box office. Tickets are $24.50 – $34.50 and are available with cash or check at the Colonial Theatre Box Office. Credit card sales available by calling Charge-by-Phone at (866) 468-7619 or click here to go to ticketweb.com.

The Dogwood Festival Parade is happening this Saturday from approximately 1PM – 3PM on Main Street. So be prepared for street closings and traffic delays.

BlobFest Shorty Awards Update: MiND TV has come on board as a sponsor of the Shorty Awards and they are a perfect fit! MiND TV's programming consists exclusively of 5 minute videos made by their members. Membership starts at just $75 per year and includes a FREE video-making Boot Camp where you can learn, in one day, about concept development, video production, editing, and just about everything else you need to know to bring your ideas to screen! The next Boot Camp is scheduled for Sat, May 30 — just in time for the Shorty's submission deadline of Jun 15! For more info, go to www.mindtv.org.

Please note that we will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day.

Thanks for your support and we'll see you at the theatre!

May 8 – 14

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

The very well reviewed documentary, Pray the Devil Back to Hell (above), starts tomorrow, Friday, at 7:30PM. It traces the extraordinary efforts of Liberia's women (both Muslim and Christian) to end the brutal civil war between dictator Charles Taylor's government and the rural rebel forces that sought his downfall in 2003. Please note that there will be no screenings on Wednesday, May 13 due to the Dickey Betts concert. On May 15 we start a run of Gomorrah, the gritty Italian mafia film that won the Grand Prize at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.

Sunshine Cleaning has it's last screening tonight at 7:30PM.

In concert news, we're sorry to announce that due to a hand injury that has not responded to treatment, Keith Emerson has decided to cancel his upcoming tour. Refunds for the Jun 6 show at the Colonial will be refunded at the place of purchase. If you purchased your tickets at the Colonial box office, please come in after Fri, May 8 to get your refund. You must have your tickets with you. If you purchased your tickets through TicketWeb please call 866-468-7619 to confirm that your refund has been issued. We have no information on new tour dates. Thanks for your understanding.

On Sunday at 2PM, in celebration of Mother's Day, and thanks to sponsor Virtual Farm Creative, we're showing The Sound of Music (1965). It's where I'll be for Mom's Day!

New member benefit! Members of the Colonial at the Producer Level ($100) and above can call ahead for reserved seating at all Point Entertainment concerts. Once you've purchased your tickets, call us at (610) 917-1228 to let us know you're coming and we'll reserve your seats for you on the night of the show.

Traffic Note: This Saturday is the Celtic Street Fair and the opening day of the Phoenixville Farmers' Market, so be prepared for extra traffic. The 200 block of Bridge Street (in front of the Colonial) will be closed until 6pm.

It's hard to believe, but this October we celebrate ACT's 10th Anniversary as owners and stewards of the Colonial Theatre. We're working on a short film about the theatre and we would like to have your input. If you have photos, film/video footage, or stories about the Colonial that you would like to share, please let us know! You can email me or Mary, or give us a call at 610-917-1228. Spread the word!

Thanks for your support and we'll see you at the theatre!

Keith Emerson show canceled

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Due to a hand injury that has not responded to treatment, Keith Emerson has decided to cancel his upcoming tour. Refunds for the Jun 6 show at the Colonial will be refunded at the place of purchase. We have no information on new tour dates. If you purchased your tickets at the Colonial box office, please come in after Fri, May 8 to get your refund. You must have your tickets with you to get your refund. If you purchased your tickets through TicketWeb, please call 866-468-7619 to confirm that your refund has been issued. Thanks for your understanding.

May 1 – 7

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Sunshine Cleaning starts tonight at 7:30PM. It's also First Friday Fright Night and we're showing John Carpenter's The Thing (1982, pictured above), on 35mm, at 9:45PM. The very well reviewed documentary, Pray the Devil Back to Hell, starts on Friday, May 8.

In concert news, we've just booked the Genesis tribute band, Trespass, for Saturday, Aug 8. Advance tickets are $23 and will go on sale this Saturday at noon.

On Sunday at 2PM, in celebration of Mother's Day, we start our month of Movies to See with Mom with Stella Dallas (1937) starring the amazing Barbara Stanwyck. Please note that we are now screening this film on DVD because MGM sent us the wrong print (they sent the 1920's silent version) and we would not be able to get the right one in time. Hope you will still join us!

It's hard to believe, but this October we celebrate ACT's 10th Anniversary as owners and stewards of the Colonial Theatre. We're working on a short film about the theatre and we would like to have your input. If you have photos, film/video footage, or stories about the Colonial that you would like to share, please let us know! You can email me or Mary, or give us a call at 610-917-1228. Spread the word!

Thanks for your support and we'll see you at the theatre!

Apr 23 – 30

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Wendy and Lucy, starring Michelle Williams, starts tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30PM. Sunshine Cleaning starts on May 1.

Tonight (Thursday) is the Enter the Haggis concert at 8PM and on Saturday night we've got the Brain Damage (Pink Floyd tribute) concert at 7:30PM. Tickets will be available for each show at the door. Also, we've booked Cowboy Junkies for Jun 17 at 7:30PM!

On Sunday at 2PM we're wrapping up our month of Ealing Studios comedies with another Alec Guinness classic, The Ladykillers (1955). This film will be screened on DVD. Next week, in celebration of Mother's Day, we start our month of Movies to See with Mom with Stella Dallas (1937) starring the amazing Barbara Stanwyck.

It's hard to believe, but this October we celebrate ACT's 10th Anniversary as owners and stewards of the Colonial Theatre. We're working on a short film about the theatre and we would like to have your input. If you have photos, film/video footage, or stories about the Colonial that you would like to share, please let us know! You can email me or Mary, or give us a call at 610-917-1228. Spread the word!

A note about film discussions: We have a group of folks who gather after the Wednesday night screening to discuss the film of the week. At this time, we do not have anyone who has the kind of film experience needed to conduct a film discussion. The group will continue to meet and if you would like be added to the email list for that group let us know. If you know anyone who could bring some perspective to a specific film or if you or someone you know would like to explore the idea of leading the film discussion group please let us know by emailing mary@thecolonialtheatre.com.

Thanks for your support and we'll see you at the theatre!

Apr 17 – 23

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

We're holding onto The Class for another week. This Palme D'Or winner from 2008 is mesmerizing. It's an earnest, unpretentious look inside the machinations of an urban school and the teachers and students who populate it. Next up we have Wendy & Lucy starting on Apr 24 and Sunshine Cleaning starting on May 1.

We have two concerts coming up next week — Enter the Haggis (pictured above) on Thu, Apr 23 and Brain Damage (a Pink Floyd tribute) on Sat, Apr 25. Tickets are still available for each show. Also, we've just booked Cowboy Junkies! They'll be back at the Colonial on Wednesday, Jun 17 at 7:30PM. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

This Saturday is the last day of our Children's Series on Saturdays season. Thanks to the nearly 4,000 of you who came to one of our films or performances this year! Join us this Saturday for our Indiana Jones double feature – The Last Crusade at 12pm and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at 2:30pm. Tickets are $6 per person and get you into both films. We're recommending these for ages 10+. Our Children's Summer Series of all live performances starts up on July 7 at 10:30am with The Cat's Pajamas. Keep an eye on our website for details.

On Sunday at 2PM we're keeping the Ealing Studios comedies rolling with The Man in the White Suit (1952). Please note that all the Ealing films this month will be screened on DVD as no 35mm prints were available.

A note about film discussions: We have a group of folks who gather after the Wednesday night screening to discuss the film of the week. At this time, we do not have anyone who has the kind of film experience needed to conduct a film discussion. The group will continue to meet and if you would like be added to the email list for that group let us know. If you know anyone who could bring some perspective to a specific film or if you or someone you know would like to explore the idea of leading the film discussion group please let us know by emailing mary@thecolonialtheatre.com.

Thanks for your support and we'll see you at the theatre!

Apr 10 – 16

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

Tonight we're showing the last film of our mini Spring Break series — School of Rock (2003) starring Jack Black. This film got terrific reviews from a range of critics, so do read some of them before you decide whether or not to come. You can read David Edelstein's review on our website. We're recommending it for ages 12+. Tomorrow, Friday, the 2009 French Best Foreign Film Oscar nominee The Class begins its run at 7:30PM. Please note that we will be closed for Easter on Sunday.

For the Children's Series on Saturday at 2PM we're showing one of my all time favorite films, Raiders of the Lost Ark, as a double feature with the second Indy film, Indiana Jones at the Temple of Doom. Raiders starts at 12PM and Temple of Doom starts at 2:15PM. Tickets are $6 per person (children and adults) and will get you in to see both films. Raiders is appropriate for ages 8+, but Temple of Doom is a bit scarier and best for 10+.

We're closed for the holiday this Sunday. But, next Sunday (Apr 19) at 2PM we're keeping the Ealing Studios comedies rolling with The Man in the White Suit (1952). Please note that all the Ealing films this month will be screened on DVD as no 35mm prints were available.

Calling all BlobFest fans: we need your help! Please click on the BlobFest link at left for information about volunteering. We've begun posting info about this year's fest on our website. Keep checking back for updates!

Repo! The Genetic Opera, our First Friday Fright Night film for this month, is finally here! Thanks to all who have called to let us know how excited you are for this film. Repo is tomorrow at 10:10PM. Please note the unusual start time. The box office will be open on Friday beginning at 7PM so you can stop by to purchase your tickets early if you'd like.

Thanks for your support and we'll see you at the theatre!

First Details on BlobFest 2009!

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

BlobFest: Fri, Jul 10 – Sun, Jul 12

Tickets

• Friday Night Running Out & Stage Show: $5
• The Blob Screenings: $10 / $8 / $6
• Advance Purchase Tickets: $11 / $9 / $7
• Advance tickets will be available online June 1
• Please note that you must purchase a ticket to enter the theatre.

The Blob Film Screenings

• Saturday: 11:30AM, 3:15PM, and 8PM
• Doors will open at 7:30PM for the 8PM screening
• Sunday: 2PM
• Other programs and film screenings TBA

Contests

• Costume Contest (Saturday early afternoon)
• Façade/Window Contest
• Short Film Contest (Deadline for submissions is June 10)
• Screenwriting Contest
• More info on all contests will be posted soon!

The Neanderthals and Other Guests

• The Neanderthals will perform on Friday night and Saturday afternoon during the StreetFair.
• Other guests will be announced soon!

Also in July

Our Classics on Sundays series will feature movies filmed in Phoenixville! All shows are at 2PM. Tickets are $6 / $4.

• Sun, Jul 5: 4D Man (1959)
  
• Sun, Jul 12: The Blob (1958)
• Sun, Jul 19: Bright Victory (1951)
  
• Sun, Jul 26: From the Terrace (1960)
  

Here's a little something to whet your appetite for BlobFest from a super cool website, www.trailersfromhell.com.

We need about 65 volunteers to help with this year's BlobFest. If you are interested, please click here to download a pdf about volunteering.

See you in July!

Apr 3 – 9

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 we have our final screening of the Animated Oscar Short Films. This weekend we have two sold out concerts! Gaelic Storm on Friday night and Leo Kottke on Saturday night. Rush tickets, the remaining seats in the upper balcony, will be available for both shows and go on sale after the performance has started. Patrons are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes in advance of the performance to queue up. After the show has started and all of our ticket holders are in and seated, we will evaluate how many seats are open in the upper balcony and those seats will be made available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that leg room is limited in these seats. Rush tickets are priced the same as balcony tickets for that show, in this case $19.50 for Gaelic Storm and $29.50 for Leo Kottke. We accept cash only at the box office for rush tickets.

From Sunday, Apr 5 thru Thursday, Apr 9 we're celebrating Spring Break with a slew of cool films that celebrate high school angst, spring fever, and the thrill of sticking it to the man. You can see the Spring Break schedule on our website, in the Feature Films section. Tickets are $4 for everyone! Films include Grease, Sixteen Candles (pic above), Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Home Alone, E.T., and School of Rock. Our next first-run feature, The Class, starts on Friday, Apr 10.

For the Children's Series on Saturday at 2PM we've got a perfect Saturday matinee — Invaders from Mars (1953) preceded by an episode of the Captain Marvel serial (1941). Total show time is about 100 minutes.

This Sunday at 2PM we start our month (well, three weeks because of Easter Sunday) of Ealing Studios comedies starring Alec Guinness. First up is The Lavender Hill Mob (1951). Please note that all the Ealing films this month will be screened on DVD as no 35mm prints were available.

Finally, please note that there is NO First Friday Fright Night film tomorrow due to the Gaelic Storm concert. Our next FFFN film is Repo! The Genetic Opera on Friday, Apr 10 at 10PM.

Thanks for your support and we'll see you at the theatre!