Capitol Theatre

405 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL 33755, USA

Address:	405 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL 33755, USA
Phone:	+1 727-791-7400
Site:	rutheckerdhall.com
Rating:	4.2

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

Alec Villanew

I hate planned surprises, but I love those that happen when I am walking into the unknown. A fan of Diana Krall, I anticipated her concert at the Capitol Theater last night. Never worried about the concert. Her musical talent and quirky sense of humor could make up for whatever might be wrong otherwise. Lighting issues? Bad acoustics? Got to the theater “just in time” and there was no way that I could risk arriving late trying to look for a parking space in Downtown Clearwater. The valet parking line was quite small, and it pleased me. The $20 service sign explained the shortness. The Capitol Theater is so beautiful. The sign lit up as if in Broadway. Plenty of theater attendants wearing green vests eager to guide you and show you the amenities. So proud of where they are. There is a full bar at the entrance and you can bring your drink inside to sip while enjoying the performance. You can buy a small glass or a double if you choose not to return as often. Even when I bought popcorn, this was probably the only thing I did not particularly like about the concert. The popcorn smell took away from the glamorous experience that otherwise this delicate theater is. Capitol is fully restored. The balconies and cornices golden against the darkness. It is quaint and no matter how far you are seated you feel a connection, a sense of intimacy with the singer and the band. I can’t imagine anyone, no matter how far from the stage, having a “bad seat.” If I walked into Capitol Theater excited to see Diana Krall, I became even more so when I sat down and looked around. Such beauty transports you. The acoustic crisp. Ms. Krall could hear us as much as we all heard her. The concert became a soirée in which she sang, and the audience petitioned particular composers and songs… and she giggled or replied sassily. I can only hope that one day Tampa Theater becomes a place such as this. In the meantime, I look forward to other concerts offered in this sophisticated place.

D K

I cant say Im real impressed, it was our first visit. The seats were horribly cramped and no legroom in the mezzanine area. Security was constantly walking in front of us opening and closing the door throughout the whole concert. The drinks were overpriced, beers were nine dollars which I must say is a bit outrageous. Theres no reason they have to charge that much money for drinks other than the fact that they can. I thought fox theater in Atlanta was expensive however the Capitol is no Fox theater by any means !!!! People in the audience were talking through the whole concert and one person was so drunk and obnoxious he had to be physically removed by the Cleawater Police. I cannot say I had a good experience and will not be going back to this theater. Born and raised in Clearwater, I think they couldve done a little bit better there. I also dont like the fact that they block off the public parking for valet. We got there early, parked in the metered parking and had dinner at Clear Sky, which was excellent by the way, then they made us move our car. There were no signs indicating that we couldnt park there, then we had to pay $20 to valet park the car there. Definitely not a good experience.

Don Golliher

I have refrained from rating this newly renovated facility in Clearwater until I attended several events. But it is what it is. Granted the old theater was beyond worn out and as seedy on the inside as it was on the outside. Well now it is new, bright, and shiny. Thats where it stops. They have packed way too much in way too little of space. From the moment you gain access to the inadequate lobby, to the pouring out of the exit after the show you will experience, narrow isles to the restrooms, a stage that is at least 2 feet too low, and sardine like seats that are both way too skinny and with legroom fit for Airtran. The slope of the floor is inadequate and the seats are not offset so if you are unlucky enough to sit behind a 6 footer, you will not see what you bought a ticket to see. The box seats are just plain old silly and the decor is discontinued K-Mart. I have three more shows for which I have purchased tickets. I will go for the same reason I attended show in the pre-renovation era. The consumer public deserved better. What a wasted opportunity.

Marsha Witkowski

This is a mixed review. Saw "Under the Streetlamp" and the show was fabulous. The sound is great. The venue, however, is not good. The orchestra section is almost the same level. Under those circumstances, they should have staggered the seats so that your vision is between the seats directly in front of you. They did not. The man in front of me made a better door than a window. To see anything, I had to lean to the left or to the right depending upon what part of the stage the performers were on. I probably drove the person behind me crazy. I will not go to this theater again unless I can get a balcony seat and the balcony is not big.

Darlene Ohm

We were really looking forward to seeing a show here and were so miserable sitting in those tiny seats. My husband and son were way too tall at 6 and their knees were in pain from being squeezed against the seats in front of us. I was severely squished by the large man sitting next to me. Many in our area considered getting drinks but we had to ask the entire row to exit for one person to get up and do it again when that person came back. They may have squeezed more bodies in the theater but they will lose money on drinks and people will not go a second time after spending two hours in physical pain.

mandrk72

Do not buy a seat in the mezzanine in Row BB on the right side of the house. Your knees will leave permanent impressions on the seat in front of you. Sight lines were great but I have had more comfortable seating in the last row of a Spirit airlines flight. We were moved to different seating that was just slightly better. In a major renovation why didnt they stagger the seating to improve the sightlines and why did they use the smallest seats available? And uncomfortable on your backside. This was our second visit to the theatre and our last. What a horrible renovation.

Susan Eschrich

The way they have restored this theater, inside and out, is wonderful. The balcony is exactly the way you hope it will be. Yes, the seats in the theater are rather close together. I have had to sit on the end, due to disability, and they have accommodated me. The stairs leading up to the restrooms are rather steep. Some aspects of a historic building such as this one may not be the easiest, but the experience, if possible, is well worth it. I have seen some movies here and havent needed to valet my car. The staff has always been friendly and courteous. Thank you!!

Amber Skjelset

I attended the premier of "The Forger" with John Travolta at the Capitol Theater and I was very impressed with the organization, the VIP meet and the food, and the venue itself. Very high class, and amazing that John met with and signed so many autographs of the local community! I also attended the "Americas Got Talent Tour" at the Capital Theater and it was a "Class A" Act. It never ceases to amaze me the high quality talent, and big names that the Capitol Theater brings to perform in Clearwater. My "hat is off" to you guys - keep up the good work!