In 1900, a grand theater opened its doors on Boylston Street. It was the Emerson Colonial Theatre. This magnificent building, designed by Clarence Blackall, was the brainchild of Frederick Lothrop Ames Jr. Its first production was a sold-out performance of “Ben-Hur.” The show was a spectacle. It featured a cast and crew of 350, including eight live horses galloping across the stage during the chariot race. The technical marvel even landed it on the cover of Scientific American. Over the years, the Emerson Colonial Theatre became a cornerstone of Boston’s theatrical scene. It has hosted countless performances. It even witnessed the world premiere of George Bernard Shaw’s “Too True To Be Good” in 1932. More recently, the theater underwent renovations in the 1990s, led by then-president Jon Platt. The Emerson Colonial Theatre has also been a beloved venue for pre-Broadway shows and national tours. Its size allows it to accommodate technically complex musicals like “Les Misérables,” which smaller theaters couldn’t handle. This stage has seen classics such as “Anything Goes,” “Porgy and Bess,” “Oklahoma!,” and “A Little Night Music.” Even the more contemporary “Seussical The Musical” and “High Fidelity” graced its stage. In more recent history, the Emerson Colonial Theatre was the birthplace of the dazzling “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” before it hit Broadway.
Rumney Marsh Burial Ground
A chill wind whispers through the aged headstones. This is Rumney Marsh Burial Ground. This historic cemetery dates back to