Columbus Theater Set For Final Show Before Closing Permanently

PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence's beloved Columbus Theater is set to hold its final show Sunday.

The opulent, historic theater opened on 270 Broadway in 1926 and closed for an extended period of time between 2009 and late 2012 to make fire safety updates required after the infamous The Station nightclub fire that killed 100 people in 2003.

Since then, it has hosted films, bands, and comedy shows amid stained glass archways and painted murals.

"I want to thank everyone who has supported the theatre since 2012 — we have done incredible things together in this building," general manager Tom Weyman said, in part, in a post on the theater's Facebook page May 4. " Thank you to everyone who ever worked a show, played a show, screened a film, or attended an event."

The theater fell on hard time in its early decades until it was bought by Misak Berberian in the summer of 1962, when it was also rennovated before being reopened later that year.

Misak's son Jon Berberian took over the theater and is the owner to this day.

"Biggest thanks of all to Jon Berberian, who has given us such a gift by letting us work in his theatre," Weyman said in the post. "I'm committed to helping Jon and his family find the path forward with the theatre, to find someone who has the passion, energy, resources, and vision necessary to keep this beautiful space a home for the arts in Providence."

The show's final show, a performance by comedian Jessica Kirson, will take place Sunday