Mary Foote honored at Colonial Theatre

Longtime director passes torch to Ken Metzner

PHOENIXVILLE » More than 100 people recently came together at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville to say goodbye to longtime theatre executive director Mary Foote. Local business owners, community leaders, Colonial staff, board members and volunteers gathered at the theater July 31 — Foote’s last day in her position.

During the event, Foote was presented with a plaque and citations recognizing her service. Among the invited guests were state Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-19th Dist. and state Rep. Warren Kampf, R-157th Dist.

One of the items presented to Foote was a painting that was a gift from the staff of the Colonial Theatre. According to Marketing Director Brendan Carr, the staff commissioned Phoenixville artist Teresa Haag to do the painting and had her personalize the marquee with some specific movie titles:

• “Run Lola Run,” which was the first film that played at the Colonial when it reopened in 1999;

• “Leave No Trace,” which was the last new film booked under Foote’s tenure;

• “Footloose,” which is a play on Foote’s last name;

• “Miss You Already,” which Carr said is a message from the staff.

Carr pointed out another feature of the painting: in a second floor window Foote is seen standing at her office window raising a glass of champagne.

Foote announced her planned departure from the Colonial earlier this year. In June, it was announced that Ken Metzner

would replace Foote — he assumed his new role Aug. 1.

The 115-year-old Colonial Theatre is located on Bridge Street in downtown Phoenixville and is owned and operated by the Association for the Colonial Theatre, a nonprofit corporation.

The historic, three-screen venue consists of the original 658-seat theater and two new theaters in the adjacent Bank of Phoenixville building, and former location of Digital First Media’s

The Phoenix newspaper — part of a renovation and expansion that was completed in 2017.

The renovation and expansion officially began in 2011, when the Colonial Theatre purchased the former Bank of Phoenixville building next door for $750,000. Construction began in 2016.

The expansion allowed the theater to begin showing first-run films. Programming also includes independent and classic films, young audience shows, concerts and community events. The new wing of the Colonial features a 30-foot concession,

and two new movie/performance auditoriums, and a rooftop deck.

In April, The Colonial Theatre’s expansion was recognized by the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia with a 2018 Preservation Achievement Grand Jury Award. The award recognizes historic building projects that have been restored or renovated in an “exemplary way.”

For more information visit www.thecolonialtheatre.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLONIAL THEATRE More than 100 people gathered at Phoenixville’s Colonial Theatre July 31 to say goodbye to longtime executive director Mary Foote — on her last day in the position. One of the items presented to Foote was a painting, seen here, that was a gift from the staff of the Colonial Theatre and painted by Phoenixville artist Teresa Haag.

Mary Foote

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLONIAL THEATRE Long-time Colonial Theatre Executive Director Mary Foote left her position July 31. More than 100 people came together that day to say goodbye. During the event, Foote was presented with a plaque, seen here to mark her 20 years of service. She also received a painting by local artist Teresa Haag, that was a gift from the Colonial staff.