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 building in Port Chester, New York. A well-known architect named Thomas W. Lamb designed it. The theatre first opened its doors in 1926.
Today, the Capitol Theatre is a popular place for concerts. It can hold about 1,800 people. Many famous musicians and even comedians perform here. Peter Shapiro, a concert promoter from New York City, owns and runs the theatre. The Capitol Theatre has had a long and interesting history. It has been a movie theater, a place for parties, and a top concert spot.
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What the Building Looks Like
The Capitol Theatre building has two main parts. One part is three stories tall. It has three small shops, the theatre entrance, and two floors of office space. This front part is wide and has a special decorative top called a terra cotta cornice.
The other part is the main theatre room, called the auditorium. This section is not a regular shape. It ranges from four to seven stories high.
A Look Back: Capitol Theatre History
Early Days as a Movie Theatre
The Capitol Theatre was built for showing movies and live stage shows called vaudeville. It continued to be a movie theatre until 1970. On its opening night in 1926, all 2,000 seats were sold out. Hundreds of people could not get in!
Becoming a Concert Venue
In the 1970s, the theatre was updated to host live performances. The Capitol Theatre became a popular concert spot throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Many famous bands played here. These included Pink Floyd, Johnny Winter, Talking Heads, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and Traffic.
The Grateful Dead played 13 shows at the Capitol Theatre between 1970 and 1971. Some fans believe these were some of their best performances ever. Janis Joplin even performed her song "Mercedes Benz" for the first time at the theatre. She wrote it at a nearby bar, and her band was surprised when she sang it!
In 1984, the Capitol Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special building with historical importance. In the 1980s, fewer live shows happened. This was partly because of a local rule that stopped live music after 1:00 am. The Capitol then hosted plays and events for the local arts council.
Live music returned in the 1990s. Bands like Phish, Blues Traveler, and Spin Doctors played here. Even David Bowie and the Rolling Stones performed at the Capitol in 1997. Their shows were part of an MTV television program called Live From The 10 Spot.
A Time as a Catering Hall
Later, the theatre changed again. It became a place for parties and special events. This included weddings and other celebrations. The seats on the lower level were removed. This created a flat space for tables and a dance floor.
Reopening for Live Music
In December 2011, news spread that the theatre would reopen for concerts. Peter Shapiro, who owns other music venues, decided to bring the Capitol Theatre back to life. He worked with another concert promoter, The Bowery Presents.
The theatre went through a big renovation. New, modern sound and lighting systems were put in. They also turned the jewelry store next door into a bar. This bar is called "Garcia's" to honor Jerry Garcia, the guitarist from the Grateful Dead.
The Capitol Theatre officially reopened on September 4, 2012. The very first performer was the legendary Bob Dylan. Peter Shapiro first leased the theatre. Then, in December 2012, he bought it.
Since reopening, the theatre has hosted many top artists. These include Ween, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, the Black Crowes, Skrillex, George Lopez, Elvis Costello, Steely Dan, and Al Green.
In 2013, more famous acts played at the Capitol. These included Blondie, Pat Benatar, Billy Idol, Chicago, Neil Young, Patti Smith, and Cyndi Lauper.
Phil Lesh, the bass player from the Grateful Dead, has also played many shows at the Capitol Theatre. He often performs there several times a year.
In 2015, comedian Bo Burnham filmed his stand-up special Make Happy at the Capitol Theatre. It was later released on Netflix. The 1990s band Counting Crows also played a special show here. During that concert, two super fans even got engaged!
See also
