Capitol Theatre

326 Monroe Street,
Passaic, NJ 07055

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Architects: Abram Preiskel

Previous Names: Capitol Cinema

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Capitol Theatre, RIP

The Capitol Theatre was large, with all of its 3,866 seats on one floor. The Capitol Theatre was opened on October 7, 1921 with two sell-out concerts featuring the U.S. Marine Band raising funds for a High School organ. By 1930, the Capitol Theatre was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Many decades later a rock promoter took over the Capitol Theatre and had to refurbish the stage, dressing rooms and other facilities, which he accomplished by buying an adjacent building. To earn more money, the promoter used the Capitol Theatre for rock concerts at night, and from April 6, 1973 ran XXX movies during the day as the Capitol Cinema.

The Capitol Theatre closed in 1986, and was put up for sale. Soon afterwards, it suffered from a fire and was demolished.

Contributed by Warren G. Harris

Recent comments (view all 156 comments)

gd14lawn
gd14lawn on May 3, 2011 at 7:42 pm

Some of the audio recordings and one video are avilable at:

http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/concerts/

kittykat1234
kittykat1234 on July 21, 2011 at 1:08 pm

I used to live in Rutherford, actually had my HS graduation at the Rivoli Theatre (1971,Rutherford High) But I had worked across the street from the Capitiol (IN PASSAIC) during my senior year and for about 7 years after at the “TREASURE TROVE” Head shop. As a young teenage girl, I used to HATE walking past he “Montauk” theatre(anyone remember that?) which at the time was showing porno flicks. I’M LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO REMEMBER THE TREASURE TROVE, IT WAS ABOUT 3 OR 4 STORES PAST THE MONTAUK.

nolanfinb
nolanfinb on September 27, 2011 at 10:56 am

I had to sign up to answer kittykat … I was Googling “who remembers the Treasure Trove in downtown Passaic?” so I got this hit. I grew up in Clifton (graduated 1974)and we always went to The Treasure Trove in downtown Passaic. That was the coolest store we knew. You would have been working there when I was just a patron. I also remember a great small shoe store that was close to it, maybe even next door or right around the block. We used to buy our funky platform shoes there to wear with our skinny jeans when they came out. My first concert at The Capitol Theatre was Alice Cooper with his “Dead Babies” Tour. I do remember how creepy the Montauk Theatre was to have to walk past. Passaic was just starting to go downhill during that point in time. I remember a couple times having to run home after concerts from The Capitol Theatre, we were too young to drive then.

Robert Kratky
Robert Kratky on June 9, 2013 at 6:49 am

Hi, Perhaps I haven’t read through all the posts here yet, but I was wondering is there an archive that might provide a chronological list of the groups and musicians who played the Capitol through the years? Pictures of posters?

roscomouse
roscomouse on June 9, 2013 at 10:22 am

You will find the best available chronological list of concerts on this page, http://www.moyssi.com/capitolshows.htm

There are some interesting photos and plans here: http://www.moyssi.com/capitol.htm if you follow the links at the bottom of the page.

If you explore the whole site you will find concert programs, posters and other interesting things.

Unfortunately, I have not had the time to develop and expand the site yet, but that too will come.

slip
slip on January 29, 2015 at 8:29 am

roscomouse, I’m interested in using a blueprint of the Capitol Theater in my upcoming Encyclopedia Of Jerry Garcia Music Venues. Please email me at .

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 10, 2015 at 10:57 pm

Image added courtesy of Gerri Wever Apostolos. 1978 line to purchase Bruce Springsteen tickets.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 15, 2018 at 2:04 pm

April 6th, 1973 grand opening ad as Capitol Cinema (showing adult movies) posted.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 1, 2023 at 5:55 pm

Facebook group dedicated to the Capitol Theatre: Capitol Theatre, Passaic Memories!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/43224328343

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