Joseph H. Lebowsky Center
122 E. Main Street,
Owosso,
MI
48867
122 E. Main Street,
Owosso,
MI
48867
2 people
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Related Websites
The Owosso Players (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: W.S. Butterfield Theaters Inc.
Architects: George J. Bachmann
Functions: Performing Arts
Previous Names: Capitol Theatre
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News About This Theater
- Aug 10, 2014 — Lebowsky Center to hold fundraiser to restore its marquee
- May 18, 2014 — A visit to the rebuilt Lebowsky Center
- May 1, 2014 — Lebowsky Center reopens May 9 with "Shrek the Musical"
- Oct 12, 2013 — Lebowsky Center rebuilding progress report
- Apr 2, 2013 — Reconstruction of the Lebowsky Center's interior is finally underway
- Jun 16, 2012 — Financing received to complete Lebowsky Center restoration
- Nov 1, 2010 — First peformance at the Lebowsky Center after the fire held at the Mayor's Gala
- Oct 18, 2010 — "The Mayor's Gala" to be held at Lebowsky Center
- Aug 24, 2010 — Lebowsky Center is enclosed again
- Jul 23, 2010 — The Lebowsky Center has a roof again
- Jun 18, 2010 — Lebowsky Center rebuilding is underway
- May 18, 2010 — Owosso Community Players kick off the Lebowsky Center rebuilding project.
- Apr 15, 2010 — Phase I bids finalized for Lebowsky Center rebuilding
- Mar 23, 2010 — Lebowsky rebuilding plan progresses and the rebuilt theater will be a "green" building
- Feb 22, 2010 — Lebowsky Center rebuilding update and wrestling fundraiser
- Feb 3, 2010 — Lebowsky Center contractor seeking bids to enclose the theater
- Dec 9, 2009 — Lebowsky Center owner gets break from the state
- Oct 27, 2009 — Owner of fire-gutted Lebowsky Center hopes to have theater enclosed again by winter
- Jun 19, 2009 — Lebowsky Center rebuilding fund may have reached critical target, but...
- Feb 25, 2009 — Will the Lebowsky Center get economic stimulus money?
- Feb 18, 2009 — Lebowsky Center owner trying to raise $350,000
- Nov 10, 2008 — Construction finally begins at gutted Lebowsky Center
- Jul 14, 2008 — Owosso finally receives $1 million grant
- Jun 20, 2008 — Owosso city council issues escrow grant for Lebowsky rebuilding
- Mar 14, 2008 — Owosso won't give Lebowsky project a break in building fees
- Feb 15, 2008 — "Flashlight" vigil held to note anniversary of Lebowsky fire
- Feb 7, 2008 — Lebowsky Center may not need to change owners to use grant money for rebuilding.
- Dec 10, 2007 — Lebowsky Center owner receives title to donated building
- Nov 2, 2007 — Last of fire-twisted beams removed from Lebowsky Center
- Oct 16, 2007 — Lebowsky Center rebuilding update
- Oct 9, 2007 — Lebowsky Center in the running for a state grant
- Sep 18, 2007 — Lebowsky Center volunteer cleanup held September 8.
- Aug 28, 2007 — Lebowsky Center update
- Jul 3, 2007 — Lebowsky Center to be rebuilt!
- May 22, 2007 — Lebowsky demolition update
- May 15, 2007 — Lebowsky demolition update
- May 7, 2007 — Partial Demolition of Lebowsky Center set to begin May 8
- Apr 4, 2007 — Lebowsky Center plans still being worked on
- Mar 28, 2007 — Bricks fall from unstable Lebowsky Center
- Mar 20, 2007 — Lebowsky Center owner in talks with architectural firms
- Mar 14, 2007 — Lebowsky Center fire blamed on arson
- Mar 8, 2007 — Lebowsky fire update and photos
- Feb 27, 2007 — Lebowsky Center fire investigation continues
- Feb 16, 2007 — Lebowsky Center fire investigation continues and Owosso Players find temporary home
- Feb 14, 2007 — Lebowsky Center gutted by fire
- Jan 25, 2007 — Volunteers from Home Depot give the Lebowsky Center a makeover
- Dec 5, 2006 — John Two-Hawks and Jim Hill at Lebowsky Center
The Capitol Theatre was originally a 1,200-seat vaudeville house when it opened on March 4, 1926, and later turned to movies only. It closed as a movie theatre in 1985.
After a brief period when it was home to a church, it was taken over by the Owosso Players for live theatrical performances.
The current name of the theatre is in honor of the theatre’s builder, Joseph Lebowsky, whose family owned the theatre.
On February 13, 2007, an arson fire caused massive damage to the Lebowsky Center. The Owosso Players moved their performances to Owosso Middle School. In 2009, work began rebuilding and restoring the theatre.
The Joseph H. Lebowsky Center reopened May 9, 2014 with a performance of “Shrek the Musical”.
Contributed by
Gary Flinn
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Recent comments (view all 41 comments)
Really clean and nice looking marquee.
As part of the theater’s restoration, the OCP agreed to retain the red tiles and the 1950s marquee because that is part of the facade’s history.
Financing is now in place to allow for the interior of this theater to be restored.
The correct spelling of the architect’s surname is Bachmann.
NORTHWEST TRAIL had its world premiere at the Capitol in late 1945: http://www.boxoffice.com/the_vault/issue_page?issue_id=1946-1-12&page_no=119#page_start
Reconstruction of the theater’s interior is finally underway.
The reconstruction is finally completed. http://www.abc12.com/story/25432667/renovations-now-complete-at-lebowsky-center-after-2007-fire
Please change the seating capacity of the Lebowsky Center to 550. The reason for the reduced capacity is an enlarged lobby and more leg room with the new stadium seating.
The Lebowsky Center’s marquee has been restored with new LED lighting and electronic attraction boards which mean no more using a ladder to change the program.
The opening of the Capitol Theatre was noted in this item from The Moving Picture World of April 10, 1926: