York’s Capitol Theatre to undergo $1.6 million renovation

(York) — The Capitol Theatre in downtown York will look a lot different come October.

Thanks to a $700,000 Pennsylvania First grant commissioned by Gov. Tom Wolf and two successful fundraising campaigns, the 450-seat theater will undergo a $1.6 million renovation this summer, according to a news release.

The venue, which is part of the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, is scheduled to close May 1 and reopen Oct. 1 with new seating and restrooms, an expanded lobby and concessions area, sightline improvements in the balcony, upgraded lighting and audio technology and a new wall between the theater and lobby to eliminate disruptions.

“This renovation is a big step towards our goal of the Capitol Theatre housing over 200 nights of performing arts and entertainment each year, all of which supports the ultimate goal of a more vibrant and economically flourishing downtown York,” said Todd Fogdall, president and CEO of the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, according to the release.

The theater is currently home to nearly 125 events each year, including weekly films, the CapLive music series and CapComedy stand-up series.

The renovation will preserve the historic charm of the early 1900s building, the release states. The theater was originally built in 1906 as a one-level dance hall and was later remodeled as a movie theater.

After closing for a few years in the late ’70s, the theater reopened along with the neighboring Strand Theatre in 1981 thanks to York leaders who rallied to support the revitalization of downtown. A restored 1927 “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ added by those leaders still plays before movie showings.