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Capitol Theater : The vaudeville theater that time forgot
posted by
lsg
on
June 18, 2008 at 10:50 am
Hi, my name is Larry. I own two vaudeville theaters in Butler, PA. The Lyric Theatre, opened in 1908, now houses the main bar and dining areas of my restaurant: The Brick House. You can view it as it looks now at my website. Sorry, the stage and other elements were long gone by the time I arrived to weld my hammer and paint brush.
But, I have a secret. Along side the Lyric Theater was The Capitol Theater. And it’s still there!!! It sits on the second floor in “the land that time forgot”. That’s what I call it anyway. Closed in the early 1950’s, it was saved by The Eat ‘n Park Corp. – A Pittsburgh area chain restaurant. They built a downtown Butler location in the early 70’s on the first floor of the Capitol Theater building, carefully preserving the theater above.
The Capitol is in disrepair but I am currently seeking funding to restore it to its original splendor. There are even dressing rooms where the vaudeville actors must have changed! So while I respect that you have the Butler Theatre listed (I can send you pics) I have the last remaining vaudeville theater in the area. More in the near future.
lg
