Capitol Theatre (Rome, NY)

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The Capitol Theatre is a theatre in Rome, New York offering classic movies and live theatrical performances as part of its programming. It opened December 10, 1928 as part of the Kallet chain of movie houses, presenting first run films until it closed in the 1970s. The Capitol reopened in 1985 as the non-profit Capitol Theatre Center for the Performing Arts, a civic center featuring a wide range of programming. The theatre hosts an annual silent film festival, Capitolfest, a major ongoing event at the theatre since 2003. Films at the Capitol are shown from 35mm prints on the theatre's carbon-arc, variable-speed movie projectors.

Designed by Leon H. Lempert, Jr., the Capitol Theatre is the only historic building in Rome, New York specifically constructed to exhibit motion pictures. Although the theatre received an Art Deco face-lift in 1939, the auditorium is configured exactly as it was in 1928, and much of the original structure and interior decoration remains. The theatre is able to seat up to 1,741 people, with seating in the balcony, mezzanine, house, and orchestra areas.

[edit] Restoration projects

Still in place is the theatre's original historic 3-manual, 7-rank Möller theatre organ, with restoration efforts to return the organ to working condition starting in 2002. Since then it has been used on a regular basis, providing dramatic effects when accompanying silent movies. This organ is maintained by the Rome Grand Theatre Organ Society, a chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society.

The restoration plans of the Capitol Fundraising Foundation are to restore the theatre back to its original structure and standing. The first project that the foundation is looking to complete is the reconstruction of the 1928 marquee. The goal of the theatre is to recreate the experience that people had back when it opened.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

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