Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boston

Behold Boston's oldest continuously operated theater, right next to Boston Common, cunningly constructed on the spot where the former Boston Public Library used to stand. It made its grand entrance in the distant year of 1900 with a showstopping performance of "Ben Hur", complete with live horses trotting onto the stage for the chariot race – naturally, this guaranteed its swift ascent to theatrical stardom.

The theater's creators spared no expense, as evidenced by their generous use of Italian marble to adorn the vestibule's walls, ornate murals and Muses-inspired frescoes adorning the auditorium, and a crescent-shaped floor composed of over 40,000 mosaic tiles. Three magnigicent chandeliers dangle elegantly from the golden ceiling, while 1,700 seats await the distinguished theater-goers of yesteryears.

Inside this shrine of musical extravagance, legends like Stephen Sondheim, Ethel Merman, and those Gershwin guys once graced the stage. Their performances paved the way for their Broadway conquests, making the Colonial Theatre the place for "unofficial" tryouts, featuring such groundbreaking hits as 'Porgy and Bess,' 'Follies,' 'Grand Hotel,' and 'La Cage aux Folles.'

In the 1990s, the Colonial had the audacity to undergo renovations and embrace modernity. Despite pesky rumors of financial woes and looming closure, it refuses to surrender. You can still grace its hallowed halls with your presence on most days of the week, where you may witness a Broadway or Pre-Broadway show, and if that's not enough, bands and musicians will also serenade you.

Tip:
If you can't resist a good old-fashioned tour, they generously offer historical tours approximately once a month. Be sure to reserve your tickets online, because who knows when you'll get the chance to see the interior again?