Capitol Center for the Arts: World-Class Performances in Downtown Concord
The history of the Capitol Center for the Arts begins more than 80 years ago, with the opening of the Capitol Theatre in 1927. Soon the theater at 44 Main St. was a premier stop on the Vaudeville circuit; eventually it became the city’s best movie theater and concert hall. With gorgeous Egyptian motif artwork and High Hollywood styling spread throughout the building, there’s no wonder the Capitol Center for the Arts became so important.
Sadly, the building slowly sank into disrepair and was closed in 1989. It took six years, $4.2 million, 250 volunteers and more than 3,000 hours to restore the artwork before the theater could re-open as the Capitol Center for the Arts. As a result of the project, the main performance space was re-christened the Chubb Theatre to honor Chubb Life, the largest single benefactor of the restoration. Though the theater re-opened in 1995, it wasn’t until 2003 that the restoration of the space was complete. All told, roughly 5,000 volunteer hours were spent to bring the theater back from the condition it was in when the Capitol Theatre closed.
Today the Capitol Center boasts the 1,304-seat Chubb Theatre alongside two event spaces -- the Governor’s Hall and the Kimball House -- and attracts musicians, dancers, Broadway shows, as well as live simulcasts of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, in addition to other performances. Acts as varied as country star Allison Kraus, singer/songwriter Greg Allman, the Broadway musicals "Hairspray" and "RENT," and author David Sedaris among many others. For a complete performance schedule, go to the website.
Along with a performance schedule that rivals many Broadway theaters in New York, the Capitol Center also opens the grandiose Chubb Theatre to businesses for company meetings, presentations and weddings, to name a few. For those looking to smaller venues, the Governor’s Hall beneath the theater is a wonder on its own. Victorian woodwork, a bar area that incorporates the theater’s original ticket booth, carpeting and warm lighting create a dynamic space. The Capitol Center’s final public event space is the Kimball House, a Victorian mansion that serves double duty as the administrative office for the Capitol Center. Those interested in renting any of the three event spaces can visit the website for more details.
Top acts appear regularly at the Capitol Center, and the theatre also hosts educational performances and symposiums that match up with New Hampshire state curriculum goals. Schools and other non-profit organizations are more than welcome to take advantage of renting space at the Capitol Center, as there are certain parts of the rental agreement that can apply only to non-profits.
If you’re looking to make an evening of a trip to the Capitol Center, don’t forget about the restaurants dotting Main Street that offer fare in a wide variety of cuisines. From tavern food and micro-brewed beers to fine Italian dining, there’s sure to be something for everyone near the Capitol Center.
During Midnight Merriment of 2010, a yearly event in Concord, the Capitol Center offered tours of the Kimball House and the rest of the facilities to interested visitors. There is some talk of expanding that function as well.
Posted on Feb 14, 2011 by Matt Delman
