Repeat image from an unknown book added, offers a different timeline on renovations and re-openings.
It claims renovated in 1978, but didn’t reopen until 1983.
Closed again in 1999.
Renovated again to restore it’s art deco look, some of which was lost in the previous renovation.
Opened as Lyric Theatre Thursday Night October 29, 1925. Prior day newspaper image added announcing Gala Opening the following night. Reopened as Crest Theatre with “Lady and the Tramp” and “Almost Angels” per an October 1962 news post, image added.
Original rendering image added credit Benjamin Gravel. August 2025 street view shows it to be for sale. Satellite view shows it has no roof and is in a stay of decay.
From the City of Rockford Government Facebook page:
“CAPITAL THEATER UPDATE: The City is excited to share progress on the former Capital Theater at 1122 S. Main Street - an important step toward revitalizing this historic landmark.
We have taken action to preserve the building’s iconic front facade, commercial storefronts, and second-floor apartments, positioning the property for future redevelopment. The structure’s most notable features, including its terra-cotta medallions, deep red Spanish tile roof, and the sculpted faces of Anton Rubinstein, William Shakespeare, Enrico Caruso and Giuseppe Verdi, will all remain part of the neighborhood’s architectural character.
To support redevelopment potential, the City has:
• Completed asbestos abatement across the entire structure
• Initiated brownfields environmental assessments to increase marketability
• Ensured the property remains eligible for significant incentives, including historic tax credits
Only the severely deteriorated rear theater portion - long vacant and structurally compromised - is being removed so the remainder of the building can be safely stabilized and marketed to investors.
This partial demolition and preservation plan was approved by both the City’s Finance & Personnel Committee and the full City Council in August 2025.
These steps reflect our commitment to protecting historic assets while paving the way for new investment and opportunity along South Main Street.”
Re-Opened in November 2025 as The Ingersoll, a live music & dinner theatre venue.
Official Website, Facebook page and KCCI news piece below.
(The venue has 187 seats downstairs and 44 seats in the club level, which has a private bar, private restroom, and an elevator.)-KCCI
For the record there was a third, short lived theatre in Cedarburg called the Scenic Theatre located in the Bodendoerfer Store Building. But I’ve yet to find an address or years of operation.
CT Admins likely won’t change the status to Open until it actually does.
They usually change it to Renovating per my experience.
But here is the new Facebook page for the 400 via the Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s page.
For the record there was a third, short lived theatre in Cedarburg called the Scenic Theatre located in the Bodendoerfer Store Building.
But I’ve yet to find an address or years of operation.
Here is the official Facebook page for Sellersville Theater.
Not sure why it’s status is still Closed.
They are running the film “It’s A Wonderful Life” this Christmas in addition to it’s live entertainment.
Repeat image from an unknown book added, offers a different timeline on renovations and re-openings. It claims renovated in 1978, but didn’t reopen until 1983. Closed again in 1999. Renovated again to restore it’s art deco look, some of which was lost in the previous renovation.
Remodeled and reopened by John Michael King in 1995 as The Old Princess Theatre a live music venue. Print ad and tickets added. Unknown closure date.
Listing courtesy it’s current owners. Copy and paste to open.
https://lacdb.com/listings/6a138dae-446-vallette-st/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO5e8BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxYlQ0enpMTG41S01sVWZ6c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhzh3DLsKvZtlzvpw1mrPQnVfcnhoWKKH9ASPKnWnsRGXCkz3k9P2sZ8wauY_aem_1TfieICZ7w_KNKvUKhBvZQ
Circa 1958 photo credit Archive Of American Television / EyesOfAGeneration.com
1960 photo credit Ed Roseberry, UVA Alumni Association.
Update: 1960 photo credit Ed Roseberry, UVA Alumni Association.
Update: Photo credit Historic Alexandria Foundation.
Opened as Lyric Theatre Thursday Night October 29, 1925. Prior day newspaper image added announcing Gala Opening the following night. Reopened as Crest Theatre with “Lady and the Tramp” and “Almost Angels” per an October 1962 news post, image added.
Crisper version.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122192712494435279&set=g.1574918839849023
Building to be auctioned off.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/15/cinema-chatham-building-once-one-of-the-south-sides-few-movie-theaters-is-up-for-auction/?utm_content=buffer30f54&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwY2xjawOtiPRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeJdR0urQ8EaMq8csLHCtklcmIZJO3d3N6vMTCvmYnQ0CHlvD5FDrik5K9P04_aem_WtcQeRnRXlyVJB8_XpD4rw
Mercury Studio Collection.
https://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/p16614coll2/id/2/rec/2
Mercury Studio Collection.
https://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/p16614coll2/id/1/rec/1
Address was 111 N. 6th Street. Circa 1915 photo added credit Charles Adams, courtesy Springfield Rewind.
Original rendering image added credit Benjamin Gravel.
August 2025 street view shows it to be for sale.
Satellite view shows it has no roof and is in a stay of decay.
From the City of Rockford Government Facebook page:
“CAPITAL THEATER UPDATE: The City is excited to share progress on the former Capital Theater at 1122 S. Main Street - an important step toward revitalizing this historic landmark. We have taken action to preserve the building’s iconic front facade, commercial storefronts, and second-floor apartments, positioning the property for future redevelopment. The structure’s most notable features, including its terra-cotta medallions, deep red Spanish tile roof, and the sculpted faces of Anton Rubinstein, William Shakespeare, Enrico Caruso and Giuseppe Verdi, will all remain part of the neighborhood’s architectural character. To support redevelopment potential, the City has: • Completed asbestos abatement across the entire structure • Initiated brownfields environmental assessments to increase marketability • Ensured the property remains eligible for significant incentives, including historic tax credits Only the severely deteriorated rear theater portion - long vacant and structurally compromised - is being removed so the remainder of the building can be safely stabilized and marketed to investors. This partial demolition and preservation plan was approved by both the City’s Finance & Personnel Committee and the full City Council in August 2025. These steps reflect our commitment to protecting historic assets while paving the way for new investment and opportunity along South Main Street.”
Re-Opened in November 2025 as The Ingersoll, a live music & dinner theatre venue. Official Website, Facebook page and KCCI news piece below. (The venue has 187 seats downstairs and 44 seats in the club level, which has a private bar, private restroom, and an elevator.)-KCCI
https://www.theingersoll.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579515766491
https://www.kcci.com/article/historic-ingersoll-theater-in-des-moines-set-to-reopen-in-november/66115333?fbclid=IwY2xjawOn0ZNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFzOEFrY25ITXV1MU5Ja0h4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo_-DekS5JYCgCe0u2RkHZagPoRXtAqnRDMfnaotcn9q_pvdHajcBFhI9tv2_aem_bJVd079ZcC9apZ-T3SadrQ
Opened on Friday December 1, 1939, not December 2. Here is the official Harpos Concert Theatre Facebook page with all it’s social media links.
https://www.facebook.com/officialharposdetroit
For the record there was a third, short lived theatre in Cedarburg called the Scenic Theatre located in the Bodendoerfer Store Building. But I’ve yet to find an address or years of operation.
Variety review of the re-opening with Cynthia Erivo.
https://variety.com/2025/music/news/cynthia-erivo-plaza-theatre-palm-springs-reopening-concert-1236597526/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
CT Admins likely won’t change the status to Open until it actually does. They usually change it to Renovating per my experience. But here is the new Facebook page for the 400 via the Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s page.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583980296254
For the record there was a third, short lived theatre in Cedarburg called the Scenic Theatre located in the Bodendoerfer Store Building. But I’ve yet to find an address or years of operation.
1919 rendering image added credit the Detroit Free Press, courtesy Benjamin Gravel. Originally projected to have 800 seats.
“The Ten Dollar Raise” released June 26, 1921 is now a lost film.
Here is the official Facebook page for Sellersville Theater. Not sure why it’s status is still Closed. They are running the film “It’s A Wonderful Life” this Christmas in addition to it’s live entertainment.
https://www.facebook.com/SellersvilleTheater