Best of Boston

History repeating: After 100 years of trap doors, fake blood, and on-stage livestock, the Colonial Theatre is still luring Broadway hits to Beantown. Armed with layers of gold paint, all manner of allegorical scenery, and crystal chandeliers, C.T. provides an opulent backdrop for productions of Les Mis, Ragtime, and Macbeth. Vertigo sufferers beware, though: With capacity for 1,700, seating is steep. It’s a good thing sound travels up.