The Colonial Theatre on Main Street in Keene has a wide variety of shows on tap for any students or staff looking for a weekend activity.
The next upcoming show is Oscar Shorts. The Colonial will be showing the 2026 nominated short films on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 2-7 p.m. The program is separated into three screenings, one for each of the Academy Awards Short Film category: Animated, Live Action and Documentary. Tickets for one screening are $15 or you can purchase the package at 36 dollars.
That same day in Showroom (The Colonials ‘sister organization,’ according to The Showroom’s website) is The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD: Cinderella Encore. The show will be earlier in the day, from 1-4 p.m. Student tickets are $15 while the full price is $25.
On certain Fridays, the theater has a “Friday Night Classics Film.” To see any Friday night film, it is $12. The next one showing is “Uncle Buck” on Feb. 27 at 7-8:40 p.m.
Keith Marks, executive director of The Colonial Theatre and Showroom, talked about an upcoming show at Showroom.
“In Showroom on Feb. 27 is a show I’m really excited about. It’s a gentleman by the name of Walter Parks. His project is called the Unlawful Assembly,” Marks said.
Marks continued to talk about Parks and Unlawful Assembly, “Walter was the guitarist for Richie Havens for a decade. His singer is a backup singer for Bruce Springsteen.”
“Unlawful Assembly does music, sort of the intersection of where the black musical and white musical experience connect. So you have Appalachian folk music and you also have blues and black spiritual,” Marks said.
An Evening with Walter Parks and the Unlawful Assembly is performing from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Showroom. Tickets are $25.
Anyone who could use a laugh can see “Headliners Comedy Club” at Showroom, Saturday, Feb. 28, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.
The following Friday, March 6, The Colonial is showing the film “Big” starring Tom Hanks at 7 p.m.
Also on March 6 at Showroom is the California Guitar Trio from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. If you purchase tickets in advance, you pay $36, whereas those who purchase tickets the day of will be charged $40.
Sunday, March 8, is the Apple Hill String Quartet at The Colonial from 2-4 p.m. Stage seating is $45, Orchestra seating is $35 and Student/Youth seating is $18.
“Something Wonderful Tonight” is an Eric Clapton and George Harrison tribute playing on Friday, March 13, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $32 to $45, depending on where you would prefer to sit in the theatre.
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat Live On Stage is on Saturday, March 14 at 2-4 p.m. Adult tickets are $50 and Youth tickets (under 12 years old) are $30.
From across the ocean comes “Direct from Ireland: Emerald Isle ~ A Joyful Celebration of Irish Music & Dance” on Friday, Mar. 20, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets range from $44.50 – $64.50 depending on seating choice.
For any Taylor Swift fans, on Friday, March 27, from 7-9 p.m., is “Let’s Sing Taylor: An Unofficial Live Tribute Show.” Tickets range again based on seating, starting at $35.50 to $42.50.
“Another Tequila Sunrise” is on Saturday, March 28, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. According to The Colonial website, it is a ‘New England-based Eagles tribute.’ Tickets start at $32 and go up to a little over $45.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is on Thursday, April 2, from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $34 to $50 depending on your seating preference.
The following day, April 3, is The Peking Acrobats from 7-9 p.m. Adult tickets are $50 and Youth (under 12 years old) tickets are $30.
The next “Friday Night Classics Film” is Mrs. Doubtfire starring Robin Williams. You can see it at 7 p.m. on April 17.
The comedian Bob Marley is performing Saturday, April 18, from 5-8 p.m. Tickets are $39.50.
Thursday, April 23, is “Tig Notaro: Out of Nowhere Tour” from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets range from $49 to $79.
SHARP Dance Company is on Saturday, May 2, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30-40.
“Sharp Dance Company is a show I’m really excited about. Presenting more dance on the stage is exciting,” said Marks.
On Thursday, May 7, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Railroad Earth is performing. Tickets are again $30-40.
The last show before students are finished with the semester is “MR.SPEED – A Night of KISS” on Friday, May 8, from 7-9 p.m. Tickets range from $25-45.
Marks talked about how The Colonial considers KSC students when planning programming.
“We see Keene State College as an integrated part of the Keene experience,” Marks said.
“What I hope is happening as Keene State students are thinking about what to do on their weekends, seeing cultural events that are within walking distance is not always normal and routine,” said Marks.
He continued to say, “We would love to be a part of the decision tree of possibilities that go on over the course of a weekend for a college student at Keene State College.”
Marks also discussed how The Colonial is in talks with Keene State Faculty about “doing more collaborative work” as well as how they have interns from the college.
“We would love to see students step out of their comfort zone and get curious about cultural offerings that are happening right down the street,” Marks said.
Madelyn Marabella can be contacted at
