Senate Resolution No. 218

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 90th Anniversary of the Capitol
Theatre in Rome, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose
commitment to promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and
entertainment world has contributed to the strength, vitality, and
cultural enrichment of their communities and the great State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its
long-standing traditions, it gives this Legislative Body great pleasure
to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Capitol Theatre, celebrated
at an event on Monday, December 10, 2018, at the historic theater; and

WHEREAS, The Capitol Theatre opened on Monday evening, December 10,
1928, as a joint venture by the M.E. Commerford Amusement Company of
Scranton, Pennsylvania and Kallet Theaters, Inc., headquartered in
Oneida, New York; the theater was designed by Leon H. Lempert, Jr., and
was the first building in the city to be purpose-built as a movie house
and the first to offer the new technology of "talking pictures"; and

WHEREAS, The opening program included "The Star-Spangled Banner,"
sung by Mrs. Arthur Seth Evans, two Vitaphone talking short subjects, a
medley of popular songs performed by Capitol Robert S. Bancroft on the
custom-built Moller theater organ, and the feature film "Lilac Time,"
starring Colleen Moore and Gary Cooper; and

WHEREAS, The Capitol Theatre continued to operate as a first-run
movie house until 1974, after which it was used on occasion for special
events; a dedicated group of volunteers created the non-profit Capitol
Civic Center, Inc., and the facility officially re-opened on its 58th
Anniversary, December 10, 1985; and

WHEREAS, Today, in addition to the historic Capitol Theatre
auditorium, which seats 1,788 persons, the Capitol Arts Complex serves
as the centerpiece of the Rome Arts District, and the Capitol's main
stage hosts a variety of programming, such as live stage plays, dance
shows, classic movies, and special events; and

WHEREAS, The Complex also includes the two screen Cinema Capitol in
a neighboring building, offering first-run independent movies 365 days a
year, totally 1,400 performances; currently, under the luminous
leadership of Executive Director Art Pierce, plans are underway to
create a multi-purpose performance and rehearsal hall in an additional
neighboring building, which will further increase the number of annual
offerings; and

WHEREAS, The arts are the building blocks of civilization; they are
central to human expression; they enlighten us and inspire the
imagination; educational institutions, individuals, and organizations
which further such worthy purposes richly merit the recognition and

appreciation of this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, As the Capitol Theatre looks back with great pride to its
beginnings, viewing, with just satisfaction, its successful evolution,
it renews both its dedication to supporting artistic excellence, and its
commitment to the community it has served since 1928, expressing its
appreciation to all those who have helped to sustain and enhance it over
the years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Capitol Theatre; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Art Pierce, Executive Director, Capitol Theatre.