PHOENIXVILLE, PA — The historic Colonial Theatre is turning downtown Phoenixville into a winter hot spot of music, movies, comedy, and immersive nightlife as it rolls out a sweeping slate of events for its 2026 season, blending Broadway stars, disco fever, Black cinema, and classic rock into one high-octane cultural run.
The 124-year-old landmark at 227 Bridge Street will kick off the new year with a mix of fan favorites and bold new programming, beginning January 17 with The First Laughs Comedy Show, featuring Pennsylvania comics Joey Callahan, Derek Lee, Donna Ottena, and Anissa “Ms. Darkchild” Bane in a night of standup built around local voices and sharp storytelling.
One night later, Broadway at the Colonial returns with a powerhouse lineup drawn from Wicked, SIX, and Floyd Collins. The evening brings together Amanda Jane Cooper, Keri René Fuller, and Jason Gotay, led by Wicked music director Dan Micciche, for what organizers describe as a showcase of Broadway’s vocal firepower and theatrical flair.
The winter season also expands beyond the stage. On January 21, the theatre launches a 12-week Introduction to Screenwriting program, running through April 29, giving aspiring writers a structured path from idea to completed screenplay with table reads, scene analysis, and weekly classes in the Garden Suite.
Valentine’s Day brings a romantic turn as Eddie Bruce’s Musical Valentine: The Songs of Tony Bennett arrives February 14, honoring the legendary singer’s centennial with a tribute to the Great American Songbook and the timeless appeal of classic pop standards.
Rock fans will get their own moment on February 20 when the 55/50 Tour: A Half Century of Led Zeppelin IV Plus Presence hits the Colonial. Performed by Kashmir: The Spirit of Led Zeppelin Live, the concert celebrates the 55th anniversary of Led Zeppelin IV and the 50th anniversary of Presence, delivering the band’s most iconic songs in a full-scale live tribute.
Late-night spectacle returns February 27 with HUSH: An Immersive Speakeasy Experience, transforming the theatre into a roaring-1920s hideaway complete with Prohibition-era cocktails from Bluebird Distillery, performances by Parlour Noir and the Franklin Follies, and guests encouraged to arrive in period attire for a fully themed night out.
Film also takes center stage beginning February 1 with the launch of the Colonial’s Celebrating Black Artists Film Series in honor of Black History Month. The series opens with The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, followed by Killer of Sheep on February 4 and Spike Lee’s Malcolm X on February 15, spotlighting legendary Black filmmakers, actors, and stories that shaped American cinema.
Founded in 1902, the Colonial Theatre is one of the region’s premier nonprofit arts organizations, operating three venues and multiple event spaces across two adjoining historic buildings and drawing more than 70,000 patrons annually. Known internationally as the home of Blobfest, which celebrates the theatre’s role in the 1958 cult classic The Blob, the Colonial continues to anchor Phoenixville’s cultural life with a mix of movies, concerts, comedy, and community events.
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