Capitol Theatre
201 State Street,
Madison,
WI
53703
201 State Street,
Madison,
WI
53703
6 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Overture Center for the Arts -- Capitol Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox Circuit, Stanley-Warner Theatres
Architects: George W. Leslie Rapp
Firms: Rapp & Rapp
Functions: Movies (Silent), Performing Arts
Styles: Spanish Baroque
Previous Names: Oscar Mayer Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
608.258.4177
Manager:
608.258.4177
Nearby Theaters
The Capitol Theatre opened on 21st January 1928. It was first a Fox house, then later operated by RKO Stanley Warner.
In 1980 it became part of the Madison Civic Centre and was re-named Oscar Mayer Theatre. It has now reverted back to its original name of ‘Capitol’ and Overture Center for the Arts. Several times a year a silent movie is screened accompanied by the Barton 3 manual 14 ranks organ and the program includes a vaudeville show.
Contributed by
Graeme McBain
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Recent comments (view all 28 comments)
Well, it sort of looks like an old theatre in the auditorium, but its not the old theatre. Its a new auditorium pretty much built to look like an old theatre based off the old theatre that was once there.
Its sad, but oh well, I guess it could have been worse, they could have gutted and gave it the bland look.
January 20th, 1928 ads can be seen at http://www.calameo.com/books/00024792860bd7f430cfd
I’ve been carrying around about 15 of the original wall torch lights from the theatre for about 35 years now. In fact i just installed one today… still works (with a bit of WD40 to get the connections apart!). Ralph Mathisen UW ‘69, '73, '79
I just saw this post. Ralph, is there any way you could post a picture of these wall torch lights? If not, could you e-mail me a pic?
In 1955, Ben Marcus bought the theatre. It had 2,250 seats. At that time, 2 stores occupied the first floor of the building. In 1956, he sold it to Stanley-Warner Theatres, which had been operating under a lease arrangement.
The Capitol is currently undergoing an exterior refurbishment. Matching bricks have been located from demolition sites, and now the search is on for the blade marquee. It was supposedly put into storage in the 70s, but no one seems to know where. It would be a nice complement to the new sign on the Orpheum Theatre across the street.
1939 photo added via Mike Mase Mason.
It’s a shame there is no sign on it anymore like the old pics. Sidewalk trees are blocking it as well and will only grow bigger and block the view of this amazing building even more.
Duck Soup Cinema has returned for Halloween: Duck Soup
Duck Soup Cinema still going strong but only 3x a year, this haloween is Caligari