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Capitol Theatre (Clearwater, Florida)

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Coordinates: 27°57′56″N 82°48′03″W / 27.96547°N 82.80095°W / 27.96547; -82.80095
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Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
Full nameNancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
Former namesCapitol Theatre (1921-80; 2001-19)
Royalty Theatre (1981-2001)
Address405 Cleveland St
Clearwater, FL 33755
LocationDowntown Clearwater
OwnerCity of Clearwater
Capacity766
Construction
Broke groundDecember 6, 1920 (1920-12-06)
OpenedMarch 21, 1921 (1921-03-21)
Renovated
  • 1962
  • 1981
  • 1999-2000
  • 2011
  • 2012-13
Construction cost$160,000
($2.43 million in 2023 dollars[1])
ArchitectLester Avery
General contractorJohn and Ivan Phillipoff[2]
Website
Venue Website
Building details
General information
RenovatedDecember 2012-December 2013
Renovation cost$11 million
($14.6 million in 2023 dollars[1])
Renovating team
Architect(s)Fowler & Associates
Main contractorCreative Contractors

The Bilheimer Capitol Theatre (formerly known as the Capitol Theatre and Royalty Theatre) is a historic theater in Clearwater, Florida.[3][4] It is one of the six venues that compose the Richard B. Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts. The theater has a seating capacity of 750 people.[5]

The theater is owned by the City of Clearwater and managed by Ruth Eckerd Hall.[3] It opened in 1921 for vaudeville and movies. After it struggled economically, it was renamed the Royalty Theatre.[3] It was restored in 1999-2000 and reopened.[4] It was bought by the City of Clearwater in 2008 and run by Ruth Eckerd Hall for acts such as the punk rock group Henry Rollins, comedian Steven Wright and singer Richard Marx. In 2013, the City of Clearwater launched an elaborate $11 million restoration of the theater as part of a broader downtown revitalization.[5] The theater reopened in 2014 to much acclaim and financial success.[5] Since the reopening that theater has played host to acts such as Jay Leno and B.B. King.[5]

History

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Described as an "artistic little theater", the building was commissioned by John Stansel Taylor. Construction began December 1920,[6] with the theater opening three months later, with a screening of Dinty.[7] Upon opening, it was advertised as having the best natural acoustics in the southeastern US. Along with showing films, the theater also hosted various vaudeville acts in the 20s and 30s.[8] In 1922, a Robert Morton Wicks Opus 415 Organ was installed however, it was later believed to be removed during renovations, following damaged obtained during Hurricane Donna.

Following a decline in popularity, the building was leased by Bill Neville and Jerry Strain in 1979.[8] Together, they formed the Sunshine State Theater Company and reopened the theater in January 1980. The reopening was a mild success, unfortunately, the theater shut down on October 28, 1980. A few months later, the Royalty Theater Company took over the lease, renamed the venue and began a massive renovation.[9] During these renovation, the body of Bill Neville was found in the balcony.[8] The venue reopened in December 1981 as the Royalty Theatre, with a production of Oliver!.[10]

Predominately showcasing live productions, the theater faced another decline in the early 90s. In 1995, the Taylor Estate sold the building to Accents Craft. Until 1999, the building was used as a social hall, featuring events geared for the youth of Clearwater. In 1999, the Clearwater City Commission attempted to purchase the theater but this effort failed. Accents Craft owner Larry Joe Cotton sold the building to Socrates Charos.[11] Charos spent nearly two years renovating the building, converting it to a religious center, restoring its former name. The theater struggled for many years, nearly facing foreclosure in 2008. At this time, the City Commission voted to purchase the building from Charos, with the effort being successful. During this time, the City also recognized the theater's importance to the city's history, awarding it a Historic Designation.[12]

In March 2019, Ruth Eckerd Hall[3] announced a $2.5 million gift from Nancy and David Bilheimer as part of the theater's ongoing “Expanding the Experience” fundraising campaign. In recognition of the generous donation, the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater is now called The Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre.[13]

Noted performers

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References

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  1. ^ a b 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Cosdon, Christina K. (June 16, 1975). "Old homes may find a place in history". St. Petersburg Times. 91 (327): 5. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Frago, Charlie (July 18, 2013). "Woman's $1 million gift will help restore Clearwater's old Capitol Theatre". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Capitol Theatre". Cinema Treasures. November 2012. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d Frago, Charlie (June 12, 2014). "Capitol Theatre rakes in cash, raises hopes for downtown Clearwater". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Invitation Accepted". Evening Independent. 14 (29). St. Petersburg, Florida: 8. December 7, 1920. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  7. ^ Paluska, Michael (August 13, 2021). "100-years at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre: How history and entertainment keep the theatre alive". WFTS-TV. E. W. Scripps Company. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Lawerence-White, D'Ann (April 8, 2021). "Capitol Theatre Turns 100; What's Your Fondest Memory?". Patch. Hale Global. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  9. ^ Salustri, Cathy (March 21, 2011). "Capitol Theatre Turns 90 Today". Patch. Hale Global. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  10. ^ Guzzo, Paul (March 16, 2021). "Clearwater's Capitol Theatre, which hosted vaudeville and maybe Jesus, turns 100". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  11. ^ Harwell, Drew (May 22, 2011). "CURTAIN SLOW TO RISE ON RENEWAL PLAN". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "Historic designation of the Capital Theater (405 Cleveland Street)". Official Website of the City of Clearwater. August 26, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2022 – via Laserfiche.
  13. ^ Cridlin, Jay (April 1, 2019). "Following $2.5 million gift, Ruth Eckerd Hall will rename Capitol Theatre in Clearwater". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.

27°57′56″N 82°48′03″W / 27.96547°N 82.80095°W / 27.96547; -82.80095

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