Capitol Theatre (Port Chester, New York) facts for kids
Capitol Theatre, September 2016
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| Address | 149 Westchester Avenue |
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| Location | Port Chester, New York |
| Owner | Peter Shapiro |
| Type | movie palace |
| Capacity | 1,800 |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Website | |
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Capitol Theatre
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 147-151 Westchester Ave., Port Chester, New York |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Thomas W. Lamb |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003426 |
| Added to NRHP | June 7, 1984 |
The Capitol Theatre is a famous old theater in Port Chester, New York. It's in Westchester County, New York. A well-known architect named Thomas W. Lamb designed it. The theater was built way back in 1926.
This amazing place has 1,800 seats. Today, it's a popular spot for concerts. Many musicians and even comedians perform here. Peter Shapiro, a concert promoter from New York City, owns and runs the theater. The Capitol Theatre has a long and interesting past. It has been a movie theater and even a place for parties before becoming a concert hall.
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What Does the Capitol Theatre Look Like?
The theater building has a three-story front section. This part includes three small shops and the main entrance to the theater. Above these, there are two floors of office space.
The front of the building is wide and deep. It has a special roof that slopes down on all sides. You can see a fancy decorative border made of terracotta at the top. The theater itself has an unusual shape. It ranges from four to seven stories tall in different areas.
A Look Back: The Capitol Theatre's Story
The Capitol Theatre has a rich history. It has changed its purpose several times over the years.
From Movies to Music: Early Years
When the Capitol Theatre first opened in 1926, it was built for live shows called vaudeville and for showing movies. On its opening night, all 2,000 seats were sold out. Hundreds of people couldn't even get in! It continued to be a movie theater until 1970.
Rocking Out: The Concert Years
In the 1970s, the theater got a makeover. It was changed into a place for live performances. Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the Capitol hosted many concerts. Famous bands and artists played here.
Some of the legendary acts included Pink Floyd, Johnny Winter, Talking Heads, and the Grateful Dead. Janis Joplin even performed her song "Mercedes Benz" for the first time at the theater. The Grateful Dead played 13 shows at the Capitol Theatre between 1970 and 1971. Many fans believe these were some of their best concerts ever.
In 1984, the Capitol Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historic building. In the 1980s, there were fewer live concerts. This was partly because of a local rule about loud music after 1:00 a.m. The theater then hosted plays, musicals, and local arts events.
Live music returned in the 1990s. Bands like Phish, Blues Traveler, and Spin Doctors played here. Both David Bowie and the Rolling Stones performed at the Capitol in 1997. Their shows were part of the MTV television program Live From The 10 Spot.
A Place for Parties: The Catering Hall
Later, the theater became a place for special events and parties. It was run by owner Marvin Ravikoff and managed by James Lopolito from 2001 to 2011. The seats on the lower level were taken out. This created a large, flat space. It could hold 600 people at tables for weddings, mitzvahs, and other celebrations. Under Lopolito's leadership, it became a top event venue in Westchester County.
Back to the Music: Reopening as a Concert Venue
In December 2011, The New York Times announced exciting news. Music expert Peter Shapiro planned to reopen the theater. Shapiro also owns the Brooklyn Bowl and used to own the New York City club Wetlands Preserve. He wanted to bring big concerts back to the Capitol Theatre.
A huge renovation project began. Millions of dollars were spent to update the theater. New sound and lighting systems were installed. Part of the renovation included buying the jewelry store next door. This store was turned into a bar. The bar is called "Garcia's" to honor Jerry Garcia, the famous guitarist from the Grateful Dead. It's open to the public on most nights when there isn't a show.
The Capitol Theatre officially reopened on September 4, 2012. The legendary musician Bob Dylan was the first act to perform. Peter Shapiro first leased the theater. Then, in December 2012, he bought it.
Since reopening, the Capitol Theatre has hosted many famous artists. In 2013, bands like Dawes, Blondie, Pat Benatar, and Billy Idol performed. Other big names like Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Patti Smith, and Herbie Hancock also played there.
On November 3, 2013, The New York Times reported more exciting news for Grateful Dead fans. Phil Lesh, the longtime bass player for the Grateful Dead, planned to play many shows with Peter Shapiro. Many of these shows took place at the Capitol Theatre. Since 2014, Phil Lesh has continued to perform at the Capitol Theatre often.
In December 2015, comedian Bo Burnham filmed his standup special Make Happy at the Capitol Theatre. It was later released on Netflix.
See also
