Capitol Theatre
1308 Niagara Street,
Niagara Falls,
NY
14303
1308 Niagara Street,
Niagara Falls,
NY
14303
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Related Websites
Capitol Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previous Names: Basil's Capitol Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
888.748.9981
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The Capitol Theatre in Niagara Falls, New York was opened in 1926, originally seating 1,400, with a balcony. C.R. Phelps, of Niagara Falls, was the builder of the theatre.
By 1934, it was part of the Basil Brothers chain, having been remodeled with seating reduced to 950.
Converted from a movie house in the 1950’s to Capitol Skateville. After a few incarnations as a skate park, the auditorium was last used as a warehouse.
Renovations are now underway with a re-opening as a concert venue planned for mid-2014.
Contributed by
John McNab
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Recent comments (view all 50 comments)
Lots of new construction will be starting around March 2014. Website is and has been current. www.capitolthetre.net
Get in touch with me this Summer. I will be ready to launch a grand reopening and discuss matters then.
We are going to be running a music venue. The theatre will also be available once completed — to rent out if you have an interest in holding your own shows or events there — on certain nights not conflicting with the music venue.
Did anything ever happen with the restoration and reopening of this theatre? It doesn’t seem to be active.
From the broken windows, I’m guessing no.
It is coming along. Some kids broke some windows and they are beig repaired. Stay tuned for renovations kicking in Spring 2015.
I’m with Niagara Falls Historic Preservation. Would you be willing to offer a tour to our members to generate some positive buzz? We could post pics and info on our website. Tried to view yours, but couldn’t find it.
This theatre is featured in the book The Italians of Niagara, Vol. II.
Theater remains boarded up.
CDs didn’t exist in 1952, nor did Time/Warner as a corporate entity. Perhaps there was an LP album in 1952, with much later reissue in other formats.
It was reported in the Buffalo News that in 1952 at age 22 Hank Williams Sr. appeared at the Capitol Theater. Sixty years later Time/Life called the promoter Rambling Lou Scriver to let him know that the tape recording that he had made of the concert was being released on CD. This was one of only two live recordings of Williams known to exist.
In an article found the archives of the Niagara Falls Gazette a projectionist named Richard Tiles died in a fire at the theater in 1949. Apparently he was rewinding a film when it burst into flame.