Colonial Theatre, Historic performing arts venue in Idaho Falls, United States
Colonial Theatre is a performance venue in Idaho Falls with approximately 988 seats housed within a restored building. The interior features black and white tile flooring, decorative crown moldings, and ornamental details framing the stage area.
Three local investors — C.A. Spath, Dr. C.M. Cline and contractor S.K. Mittry — financed the Colonial, which opened on 10 November 1919 with St. John Greer Ervine's play John Ferguson. Built of steel, reinforced concrete and brick with an ivory terracotta front, it seated 1,400. In 1929 it became the Paramount, a movie house; it closed in 1990 and reopened restored in 1999.
The Idaho Falls Arts Council, formed in 1990, runs the theatre and stages 16 to 18 performances a year, from concerts to theatre. The 988-seat hall reopened on 13 March 1999 with a concert by Ray Charles, and in 2014 it drew over 25,000 patrons. It is also rented out for private events.
The 988-seat auditorium is available for public rental and hosts 16 to 18 performances a year, drawing over 25,000 patrons in 2014. It is part of the Willard Arts Center, so check the Arts Council's programme before visiting. The building is one of only four historic theaters left in Idaho.
During renovations in the 1990s, workers discovered a hidden stained glass window and original Greek decorative border within the building. These findings revealed artistic elements hidden since the original construction.
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