Capitol Theatre

Located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, the Capitol Theatre opened on August 2, 1913.

Designed by Albert G. Lansburgh, who had graduated from the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, the Capitol Theatre was orginally built as part of the Orpheum Theatre chain.

It utilized the most modern mechanical contrivances of its time, bringing advancements in safety and comfort through such features as fireproof and earthquake-resistant construction and air conditioning.

The building was remodeled in 1927 to the plans of architectural firm Woolley & Evans, reopening on September 29, 1927 as a motion picture theatre and operated successfully for decades. The re-opening movie was Bebe Daniels in “"Swim Girl, Swim”. There was a Fanchon & Marco stage show “Screens Idea” and Alexander Schreiner opened the Wurlitzer organ, plus Alberti & His Band. By the early-1940’s it was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Tracy Barham. In 1976, the theatre was purchased by Salt Lake County and restored closely to its original form.

Today, this historic landmark is the home of Ballet West, Utah opera, and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. The theater also hosts world class Broadway productions community arts education programs.

Recent comments (view all 19 comments)

kencmcintyre on May 23, 2008 at 5:59 pm

I don’t think tickets.com is the official website. The one I posted has been changed:
http://tinyurl.com/5qxqeh

spectrum on May 26, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Here is what is probably the most official website – – The Capitol is park of the Salt Lake County Center for the Arts:

View link

kencmcintyre on July 27, 2009 at 6:21 am

Here is a 1947 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/kvboon

CSWalczak on July 27, 2009 at 7:04 am

Here’s an updated link to the one posted by spectrum on May26, 2009:
http://www.slccfa.org/venue_capitol.asp

TLSLOEWS on February 11, 2010 at 10:58 pm

Nice looking theatre,too bad no one hardly has vertical signs anymore.The old one looked great.

JeffYates on August 23, 2012 at 5:14 am

It was also featured on “Paranormal Witness” on Syfy, though I don’t think the actual theater was used for the episode.

TLSLOEWS on February 14, 2018 at 7:49 pm

Is the arched street sign still there,anyone know?

Trolleyguy on February 15, 2018 at 2:53 pm

No, it’s gone. Google Streetview of June 2017 shows it has been removed.

rivest266 on April 3, 2022 at 1:19 pm

Opened as Orpheum per article: Orpheum theatre opening 02 Aug 1913, Sat Salt Lake Telegram (Salt Lake City, Utah) Newspapers.com

rivest266 on April 3, 2022 at 1:32 pm

Capitol theatre opening ad Capitol theatre opening 29 Sep 1927, Thu Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah) Newspapers.com