Capitol Theatre

1308 Niagara Street,
Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Unfavorite 3 people favorited this theater

Related Websites

Capitol Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previous Names: Basil's Capitol Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 888.748.9981

Nearby Theaters

Capitol Theatre

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

Recent comments (view all 50 comments)

Capitoltheatre
Capitoltheatre on January 27, 2014 at 6:55 am

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.

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on February 17, 2015 at 1:45 pm

Did anything ever happen with the restoration and reopening of this theatre? It doesn’t seem to be active.

bflonyguy
bflonyguy on February 17, 2015 at 4:11 pm

From the broken windows, I’m guessing no.

Capitoltheatre
Capitoltheatre on March 10, 2015 at 7:32 pm

It is coming along. Some kids broke some windows and they are beig repaired. Stay tuned for renovations kicking in Spring 2015.

bflonyguy
bflonyguy on March 11, 2015 at 6:02 am

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.

LouB
LouB on December 7, 2015 at 8:40 pm

This theatre is featured in the book The Italians of Niagara, Vol. II.

LouB
LouB on July 3, 2017 at 5:00 pm

Theater remains boarded up.

Comfortably Cool
Comfortably Cool on March 25, 2020 at 12:12 pm

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.

LouB
LouB on March 27, 2020 at 1:28 pm

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.

LouB
LouB on August 26, 2020 at 1:02 pm

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.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.