Capitol Theatre
1308 Niagara Street,
Niagara Falls,
NY
14303
1308 Niagara Street,
Niagara Falls,
NY
14303
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I think it is worth re-posting this article with photo as a memorial to John and his theatre work. Rest in peace, John.
LOUB: I had planned to see this theatre and meet John this summer, but didn’t get there and now this news which is so very sad. He was too young to leave us!
Patsy:I’m not sure what will happen. Renovating this theater is quite an undertaking.John McNab wiil be missed!
LOUB: So very sad to read this. Will there be someone else to take over for John and “his” theatre in Niagara Falls NY?
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Sad to state but the above website reports that John McNab,who was in the processs of renovating the Capitol, has died.
I recently received a very nice email from Mr. John McNab, Capitol owner and he has given me permission to post his words and wonderful story.
Patsy, Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. What I have here is truly a “diamond in the rough”. This place was used for storage for the “Festival of Lights” and then as a contractor’s warehouse post 1965. I have heard so many wonderful stories….one Saturday afternoon I was in the theatre cleaning the place when an older gentleman appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in a suit & tie and walked with a cane. He said “Excuse me sir…may I see your theatre?”. I said “Of course”. He walked in far enough to see up into the balcony turned around and with his voice a little shaky he said to me “I kissed my bride, for the first time, right up there” and pointed to the right side of the balcony. Well, as you can imagine, we both had to compose ourselves..tender moment? You bet. Anyway you and your friends are welcome to see the theatre anytime. Peace, John
LOUB: Thanks for the website information as I just sent Mr. McNabb an email though I didn’t grow up in the Buffalo area. If anyone on CT did, I urge you to send this man a personal email as I know he would like to read about your memories of the Capitol Theatre which might help him in his restoration efforts.
http://www.capitoltheatreniagara.com/
Patsy: This is the web site posted on the theatre.
Patsy: I do remember the balcony as being part of the roller rink when I skated there,although that was 40 years ago. My father, who is deceased used to talk about working at the theater.
I have sent an email to the journalist/reporter, Denise Jewell who wrote the Niagara Gazette Capitol Theatre article last December as I wanted to know what the latest renovation information was on this former theatre. Perhaps she will let Mr. McNabb know that someone on CT was inquiring about his project and wishes him the best. Her email is
LOUB: After reading about the domed ceiling I really would like also like to see several interior photos of this theatre. You mentioned seeing “a sign on the exterior of the building with a website”. Is that sign still there as the website might have renovation photos, etc. on it.
“McNab, who bought a house on 13th Street behind the Capitol Theatre with his mother, has been piecing together bits of history about the venue, which first opened in 1925 by C.R. Phelps as a cinema.”
“McNab, 51, has cleared piles of construction materials left from the years the former Capitol Theatre was used as a storage building. He has pulled up a portion of the wooden floor that was installed in the 1950s when the cinema was transformed and used for several decades as the New Skateville Roller Rink.”
“Then he intends to add a 40-by 20-foot stage in the cavernous concrete theater that had nearly been forgotten. The building still has a solid, second-floor balcony and a domed ceiling in the center of the room.”
He is hoping to find a marquee he believes once adorned the outside of the building. An image of the sign is in several advertisements he has found for the theater in old issues of the Niagara Gazette. In one, the theater boasts “three big attractions,†including “A Lady’s Morals â€" the romantic, dramatic hit of the season.â€
“Dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, McNab toured the theater on Friday to show off the site, which still has remnants of its days as a theater. An upright piano with broken keys and a label that says it was last tuned in 1906 by A.B. Hastings sits on the first floor near where McNab plans to install new restrooms. Upstairs, the metal skeleton of the original projector is in an empty room.”
LOUB: Give us your memories of when it was a skating rink since you posted that you recall skating there. I picture it as a rink with a balcony?
This is the first theatre that I’ve found on CT that was also a skating rink!
LOUB: Thanks for posting the Niagara Gazette site as the article and photos were interesting. I would like to see an exterior photo and good luck to all those involved with the project.
This website pertains to the Capitol Theatre:http://www.niagara-gazette.com/weekendcatchup/local_story_349202420.html
There was a nice article on this theatre in the Niagara Gazette on Sat.Dec.16th. Hopefully,the renovation plan for this theatre will bring some life back to the neighborhood.
I saw a sign on the exterior of the theatre with a website,but has there been any renovation begun. I remember roller skating there when it was called JoBetts.
Who’s name should be recognized if not Mr. Michael Shea? I would guess the name Basil? And what is or will be the title of your theatre book about “illegal schemes”?
From John B Basil – the Capitol Theater by 1934 was owned and operated by the chain of Basil Theaters, Inc. Remodeled and seating changed to a comfortable 950 seats. I managed theaters in London, England for Associated British Cinemas and in Buffalo with the Basils and Dipson. Within a year my book True Theater History should be released. It is about “Illegal Schemes” against theater owners and Michael Shea who never owned or built a “Shea’s” theater. For questions I can be reached at 716-834-0348
do you have a website?
perhaps you should contact the office at (716) 282 0555 & ask for me
thanx, John
any idea what is happening with this theatre? Restoration/Renovation plans?
theatre was purchased in october 2004 by a group headed by former employees of the STONE PONY in Asbury Park, NJ for use as a live music venue
theater is 4 sale