Capri Theater
3500 E. Independence Boulevard,
Charlotte,
NC
28205
3500 E. Independence Boulevard,
Charlotte,
NC
28205
4 people
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Showing 51 - 69 of 69 comments
Capri was saved! It is now a night club called Stir. Not sure what type of club this is but the parking lot is PACKED every Friday and Saturday night. ITs good to see the old girl thriving.
The Capri opened in 1964. It was first twinned in 1975 and a third screen was constructed along side the original structure a few years after that.
The World premier of the documentary ‘Stockcar!’ took place here on May 27, 1977.
The theatre is to be demolished to make way for the Metro Transit System that will run through Independence Boulevard(US. Highway 74)
Contact Information for Capri Justin 704-663-5115
Does anyone know who runs the Capri? I would love to find out who is in charge of rentals there.
The Capri has closed again after a multi month run of ‘Menopause: The Musical’. No other presentations are planned at this time. At least the building got a modest rehab and awaits the next person with some ideas for the space.
I will be sending them via Gmail.
:)
I hope you’ll email a few anyway. I’d like to see the place.
The photos aren’t older..just a sneak into a theatre that was sitting open. ;)
Thomasina Aquinas, in a previous message, you said you had lots of old photos of the Capri. Would you be able to provide a link to a gallery, or just email them? I am
Update on the Capri…
She has apparently recieved a nice overhall and is currently housing the show Menopause: The Musical. No folks.. I’m not making that up.
hew I’m so glad that she wasn’t raised.
Nope.
In the mid to late 80’s there was a mess of a mall called CityFair built right beside of the theatre. As a way to gain control of the Carolina Theatre property the developer of CityFair had the lobby and theatre office area condemed based on reasons that were discovered not to be true during the demolition of the theatre’s lobby. It was quite a task for them to raise the sturdy lobby and office area. Luckily CityFair flopped, the developer experiennced huge legals woes and the rest of the theatre remians.
Whenever you approach the Carolina you do see the remaining stonework for the box office. Then you see an obviously empty lot. That is where the theatre’s lobby and offices used to be. The next feature you will notice is a massive wall painted with a mural for the Carolina Theatre. Behind that wall and in that building is the Carolina Theatre’s auditorium. So basically you didn’t miss anything other than the elephant in the corner drapped with a table cloth. ;)
Don’t worry, it took me a while to realize what sections of the theatre were theatre and what was missing.
Hey Patrick can we move this discussion over to the listing for the Carolina Theatre? Thanks!
Thomasina,
I walk by what was the Carolina Theater every morning (Mon-Fri) and it appears to be an empty lot, only the front ticket booth area remains. Am I missing something?
Muray,
I think that the Carolina has a far better chance for restoration than the Capri. The “new” traffic pattern on East Independence is such a mess and the neighborhood behind the theatre is really high in crime.
Although I hate to see any theatre put up to the wrecking ball I would have to say that the Capri’s future isn’t to great.
And it is such a neat looking theatre as well…
The Capri slated for demolition has received a reprieve in that a legitimate stage presentation is now going on Whether or not this ia a permanent trend remains to be seen. Charlotte needs venues such as this, to vitalize the entertainment aspect of the city. Perhaps the same could occur to the Carolina Theatre.
Anyone know of an Old closed theatre for rent or lease for concerts.
Looking in and around Guilford and Alamance or closely surrounding counties North Carolina.Whomever gives me reliable info will have complete access for all shows for them and a friend at that particular location ,if ,lease is signed for the theatre in which they have directed me to. Facility should be in a condition that only needs minor to no work to begin operations. No multi-plex , but something vintage preferably single screen but two screen unit considered. At least 500 seats.
Thanks
I recently ..uumm..eplored the Capri and she’s in horrible shape. The roof of the lobby has a horrible leak in it and the floors are cracked. The auditoriums are a wreck. The inside poster frames still contained old boxing posters. If you go back into the woods you’ll find the remains of her trashed marquee.
BTW, she served as a used car lot between the time that she closed as a theatre and was converted into a boxing center.
I have oddles of exterior and interior photos available.
The Capri opened in the early 1960s with the Polly Bergen movie “Kisses for My President”. I saw the NC premier of “My Fair Lady” at the Capri in 1964 when I was in elementary school. The theater was a real show place, though its “art modern” design looks dated today, and the experience of seeing such a blockbuster film there made a lasting impression.
I attended this theater in the 1970’s when they showed films. They played a rerun of “It Happened One Night” and Frank Capra appeared in person, explained how the film was made and answered questions from the audience. The admission believe it or not was $2.00. After it closed as a movie house it reopened as a combination restaurant/movie. It also held pro boxing at times. It had a extremely modern facade roof in front, not a marquee. It is now closed and scheduled to be torn down due to the widening of Independance Blvd.