One-hundred years ago, the luxurious, ornately designed Capitol Theatre treated a sold-out crowd of 2,000 in Port Chester to a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by a 10-piece orchestra and the premiere of the silent film “The Sea Wolf.”
Ticket holders who paid between 40 cents for a balcony seat and 75 cents for a box also enjoyed vaudeville acts including Lulu McConnell Co.
Not so fortunate were the hundreds turned away at the door that Wednesday night in mid-August.
Today’s visitors still marvel at many of the features designed by famed architect Thomas Lamb that wowed audiences of yesteryear: The towering domed ceiling, walls and moldings decorated with hundreds of hand-carved squirrels, the booths, and balcony.
Present-day patrons come mainly for rock ’n’ roll’s legacy acts and a new generation of jam bands eager to join the ranks of genre-defining performers who have taken the stage at “the original rock palace” on Westchester Avenue.
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, The Cap was restored to its past glory and updated by owner Peter Shapiro, who reopened the theater on Sept. 4, 2012, with Bob Dylan as the headliner. In addition to the physical renovation, the theater included upgraded sound, lighting, recording, and video that enhance its legendary acoustics.
“When you walk into the venue, looking up into the dome and all the intricate details that went into the architecture of the building — those kinds of places just don’t exist anymore,” said theater general manager Kiley Williams.
Williams was hooked after attending former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh’s annual Halloween show in the mid-2010s, starting as a bartender before moving into production roles at the theater.
Homemade Jam
A concert honoring the renowned artists who have played The Cap is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, with introductions by Shapiro and previous owner Marvin Ravikoff.
Tribute act Pink Talking Fish is headlining the night as “The Centennial Band,” with a roster of performers from the jam band world, including Grammy winner and Cap favorite Robert Randolph, Brendan Bayliss from Umphrey’s McGee, Marc Brownstein from the Disco Biscuits, Al Schnier and Vinnie Amico from Moe, and NYC native bassist Karina Rykman.
“All these artists will be coming together to play a set list that features songs by David Bowie, Phish, the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Steely Dan, (and) Joe Cocker,” said marketing director Stefanie May. “So imagine it’s like the greatest cover band of all time playing the greatest songs from Cap history.”
Also performing that night: Bertha: Grateful Drag, billed as a collective of queer and allied East Nashville musicians who perform the music of the Grateful Dead, jam band pioneers who had a famed run at the theater in the 1970s.
“We chose a Saturday night in September even though the Capitol Theatre officially opened its doors on Aug. 18, because we thought it would be the perfect night for a celebration,” May said.
The night will include displays featuring messages and photos submitted by fans, as well as other surprises, she said.
Forward Thinking
While continuing to lean heavily on the legacy bands that bring out The Cap’s regulars, Williams said they are hoping to present a range of shows that attract first-time visitors.
Comedy acts featuring headliners like Chelsea Handler, Anthony Jeselnick, John Mulaney, and Pete Davidson are becoming more frequent, as are what’s known as “underplays” — appearances by bands that usually play larger venues, like Cage the Elephant and Jack White.
All-ages entertainment has also found a home at the rock palace. May and Williams are both planning to bring their 2-year-olds to a toddler techno rave coming up on Oct. 1.
“The Cap is just really in a word this magical place,” Williams said. “It reminds me of a best friend that everybody has a story about. Anytime The Capitol comes up in conversation, someone has an amazing story to tell about a show they saw or an event they attended there.”
