About the Capitol Theatre, Rome, NY

The Kallet brothers (Michael J. and Joseph S.) were involved in motion picture theater management in Rome beginning in 1920 with their acquisition of the Carroll Theater at 114 E. Dominick St., which they renovated and re-named The Strand Theater. With the assistance of the Comerford Theater chain, in 1927 they procured the property at 216-224 W. Dominick St. and, in February and March of 1928, the site was cleared and construction was begun on the new Capitol Theatre—a 2,000-seat edifice which was to become Rome’s first run movie house. (With the seating re-configured in the orchestra section in the ‘50s, and some seat removal in the ‘80s to accommodate handicapped patrons, the house now seats 1,788.)

A Thanksgiving 1928 opening was planned, but a Pennsylvania steel strike held up construction, and the actual opening occurred on December 10, 1928, with Joseph Kallet as the Managing Director of the theater. Opening as Rome’s first theater with the ability to play the new sound movies, the initial program included a newsreel, two Vitaphone shorts, and the First National feature, Lilac Time, starring Colleen Moore and Gary Cooper. The Capitol’s impressive seven-rank Möller theatre organ was used that night to provide entrance and exit music, to accompany the newsreel, and to lead the audience sing-a-long. (Though Lilac Time had no dialogue, it was released with a track of music and sound effects.)

Originally designed with a Spanish-Moroccan theme, the 11-year-old Capitol received a modernistic face-lift in 1939 and retains most of that architectural detail to the present.

Although the Capitol was operated by the Kallets strictly as a movie house, over the years occasional live acts appeared on the bills with movies as well. (Pre-packaged “unit” vaudeville appeared at the Capitol briefly in the early ‘30s, but the theater was never in any sense a vaudeville house.) The first celebrity act in February of 1929 was Art Kahn’s Orchestra, and that May, an all-star revue featuring the California Ramblers and Paul Whiteman’s famous Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Al Rinker, and Harris Barris) played on the Capitol stage. Paul Whiteman himself appeared at the Capitol with his Chesterfield Orchestra in 1940, and the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra dropped in for a performance in July of 1954. Two years later, a new type of music was introduced to Rome, as Bill Haley & the Comets' rock & roll show had the kids literally dancing in the aisles. The first show in January was such a hit that the group was invited back for an encore that spring.

With high overhead costs cited as the culprit, the Capitol closed as a first-run movie house on May 28, 1974 (the final attraction was The Exorcist). The theater was leased by the Cinema National movie theater chain until February of 1989, not for exhibition, but simply to keep the house from providing competition with that chain’s multiplex on the other end of town.

Over the next eleven years the Capitol was used occasionally for live events, and in the 1980s a movement gained momentum to acquire the Capitol for use as a performing arts center. The dream of a dedicated group of individuals became a reality in 1985 and the newly christened “Capitol Civic Center” opened as a not-for-profit corporation on December 10 of that year—the 57^th anniversary of the original grand opening. One of the most anticipated events in Rome for years, the new opening night featured a screening of the very film that originally opened the Capitol—Lilac Time, this time accompanied by the Rick Montalbano trio.

Thereafter, taking full advantage of its full-sized stage and orchestra pit, the Capitol offered a wide variety of touring and locally produced events. In 1989 the Capitol’s own SummerStage debuted with Annie!—a series of live theatrical productions which continues to this day.

In 2003 the Capitol’s original Möller theatre organ was put back into working order and the following year a series of silent films with organ accompaniment was initiated. Since that time world-renown silent movie musicians such as Dr. Philip C. Carli, Avery Tunningley, Bernie Anderson, Dennis James, and Robert Israel have accompanied movies from the console. The Capitol’s 1952 projectors continue to serve their purpose well, and since 2007 a pair of mint-condition, water-cooled 1965 Ashcraft carbon arc lamps have taken their place in the booth—helping to make the Capitol a prime destination for classic movie lovers.

Today there are over 100 performances per year at the Capitol—everything from the continuing live theatrical performances of SummerStage to world famous big bands such as Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Tommy Dorsey, dance programs, and classic silent and talking films, including the August Capitolfest film festival. The theater now attracts patrons not only from Upstate New York, but from all over the world. Downtown Rome’s gem since 1928, the revitalized Capitol Theatre promises to entertain and enlighten the public for many years to come.

Become a Friend of the Capitol Theatre today!

Contributions from our Friends are crucial to our existence as they help us present the best in music, movies, theatre, and dance. Our generous donors also allow us to offer reduced-price performances and programs to Central New York’s students, the future of our region. Make the arts come alive—become a Capitol Friend today!
As a friend of the Capitol, you will receive a “Friend Card” entitling you to discounts on most of our fine programming!

Contribution Levels: Any contributions you would ike to make will be happily accepted; these are some of the “named” levels we offer for your convenience:

Executive Producer ($5,000+)
Producer’s Circle ($3,000-$4,999)
Director’s Circle ($1,000-$2,999)
Star ($500-$999)
Principal ($250-$499)
Lead ($100-$249)
Performer ($50-$99)
Chorus ($25-$49)

One-time contributions as well as convenient monthly and quarterly giving plans are available.
For additional details, contact the Capitol Theatre at (315) 337-6277.

Gallery of Historic Photographs
(click on thumbnail to enlarge)

Site of the future Kallet Capitol Theatre; Circa 1910	Site of the future Kallet Capitol Theatre; February, 1928	The Capitol under construction; Spring, 1928
The Capitol under construction; Spring, 1928	Interior of the Capitol; Circa 1960	Carleton Brush, Capitol Organist; Circa 1970
Excited movie-goers wait in line to see GORGO; (1961)	The annual Honor America Days parade in downtown Rome; 1970	A nearly sold-out house; Circa 1940