Capitol Theatre (Salt Lake City)
 The Capitol Theatre, formerly known as the Orpheum Theatre | |
 | |
| Address | 50 West 200 South Salt Lake City, Utah United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°45′55″N 111°53′34″W / 40.7652°N 111.8928°W |
| Type | Performing arts |
| Seating type | Reserved |
| Capacity | 1,876 |
| Opened | August 2, 1913 |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
The Capitol Theatre (also known as the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre) is a historic performing arts venue in Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Originally opened in 1913 as the Orpheum Theatre, the venue was renamed the Capitol Theatre in 1927 following the dissolution of the Orpheum Circuit. The building is designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival and Beaux Arts architectural styles.[1]
The theater serves as a major performance venue for several Utah-based arts organizations, including Ballet West, Utah Opera, and the Children's Dance Theater (Tanner Dance at the University of Utah).[2] It also hosts touring productions through Broadway Across America. Notable past performances include the White Oak Dance Project in 1993, produced by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mark Morris.[3]
During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the theater was used as a venue for performances as part of the Olympic Arts Festival.
Following the opening of the Eccles Theater in 2016 on Main Street, some productions relocated there due to its larger stage and more advanced sound system. However, the Capitol Theatre remains an active venue for ballet, opera, and theatrical performances.
The theater is managed by the Salt Lake County Center for the Arts.
Renovations
[edit]The Capitol Theatre has undergone various renovations throughout its history.
After sustaining fire damage in 1949, the theater underwent a major renovation in 1975, funded by an $8.6 million county bond. This project included extensive upgrades to the building and auditorium, solidifying its status as one of the premier performing arts centers in downtown Salt Lake City.[4]
In 2013, the theater underwent a significant renovation with a budget of $32 million.[4][5] This renovation included the construction of the adjacent Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre, which expanded the theater's lobby space and added new rehearsal rooms, costume facilities, and administrative offices for Ballet West.
In 2019, the auditorium underwent another round of renovations, which lasted six months.[6] The project involved:
- Removing and replacing the main auditorium floor
- Installing new seating to accommodate ADA requirements
- Upgrading the sound system and theater infrastructure
- Restoring the roof to its original terra cotta façade
This renovation was considered the second phase of the planned improvements that began in 2013, which had previously focused on upgrading the orchestra pit, stage, and backstage areas.
References
[edit]- ^ "Venue: Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre - Salt Lake County Center for the Arts". Salt Lake County Center for the Arts. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
- ^ "Capitol Theatre Arts Partners - Salt Lake County Center for the Arts". Retrieved 2024-02-11.
- ^ "BARYSHNIKOV DANCERS PLAN 2 PERFORMANCES IN S.L." DeseretNews.com. 1993-06-27. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
- ^ a b Butters, Whitney (2014-08-23). "Capitol Theatre serves as a 'memory builder' 101 years after its construction". DeseretNews.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
- ^ "Center for the Arts announces Ballet West dance center and Capitol Theatre facelift". DeseretNews.com. 2013-05-30. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
- ^ "Salt Lake County Center for the Arts Renovation". Retrieved 2024-02-11.