 Recent exterior view of the Detroit Opera House
Its architect, C. Howard Crane, designed the Capitol in the style of the Italian Renaissance, and its facade, with its soaring Corinthian columns, loomed over Broadway like a royal palace. Its interior was even more ornate, with several kinds of marble, Tiffany mosaics, sculpture and gilt decorating its lobby and other areas. The Capitol is said to have cost over $2 million to build.
The 35-piece 'Great Capitol Wonder Orchestra', led by Eduard Werner, was on hand opening day, and remained a popular feature of the theater until he left the Capitol for the Michigan in 1926. On screen, 'The Lotus Eater' was shown, as well as footage of guests entering the theater two hours earlier, much to the audience's amazement and delight.
The theater's name was changed to the Paramount in 1929, when it was taken over by the Paramount-Publix chain, and featured live stage shows and vaudeville acts. Stars who appeared on the Paramount's stage in those days included W.C. Fields, Fatty Arbuckle, and Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra.
As a result of the Depression, the theater closed in 1932, but only until 1934, when it reopened under United Detroit Theaters with another new name, this time the Broadway-Capitol.
In the 40s and 50s, management of the theater passed back and forth between various parties, but it was managed by United Detroit once again beginning in 1960.
For most of the 50s, the Broadway-Capitol featured second-run films and double-features, and unlike many other area theaters, did not convert to the widescreen format to attract audiences.
It was in 1960 that United Detroit poured over $100,000 into remodeling the theater, completely changing its facade and slightly reducing its seating capacity.
It was also given yet another new name during this time, the Grand Circus, continuing to screen second-run films. The theater often struggled during the 60s and 70s, but remained open until 1978, with the last film on its screen being 'Jailbait Babysitter'.
During the early-to-mid 80s, the Grand Circus was used for concerts, but was forced to close in 1985 after a fire broke out.
In 1989, the Michigan Opera Theatre purchased the Grand Circus and nearby Madison Theaters for $3.5 million and began a $20 million campaign to restore the interior of the old Capitol to its 20s appearance, enlarge its stage, improve the sound and lighting systems, and reduce seating to a more comfortable 2700.
It now serves as the Detroit Opera House.
Contributed by Bryan Krefft
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