Ellen Eccles Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Ellen Eccles Theatre was built in 1923 on Logan, Utah
's Main Street. Then known as the Capitol Theatre, it was a home originally to vaudeville
and opera
. As vaudeville died out, it became used primarily for community events, and increasingly, movies. By the 1980s, the Capitol had fallen into disrepair and become a run-down home for second-run movies.
In 1988, it seemed likely that the Capitol would be demolished and turned into a parking lot. Popular outcry, however, led to the city of Logan purchasing the theatre and a not-for-profit organization was formed to renovate and operate it, now known as the Cache Valley Center for the Arts. This restoration effort hit a setback in 1990, when fire destroyed much of the theater's annex. However, work continued, and the house, christened the Ellen Eccles Theatre after the family member of one of the principal philanthropists, opened to a gala performance on January 8, 1993.
The theatre, which seats approximately 1100, is used for concerts, community theatre and ballet performances, and classic movies as well as being a popular stop for many national touring act each year. It is the venue for performances of the Utah Festival Opera Company for 4 weeks in the summer, and dozens of performances during the rest of the year by the Cache Valley Civic Ballet, Cache Regional Theatre, Music Theatre West, Valley Dance Ensemble, and several Utah State University
performing groups.
Logan, Utah
-Layout of the City:Logan's city grid originates from its Main and Center Street block, with Main Street running north and south, and Center east and west. Each block north, east, south, or west of the origin accumulates in additions of 100 , though some streets have non-numeric names...
's Main Street. Then known as the Capitol Theatre, it was a home originally to vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
and opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
. As vaudeville died out, it became used primarily for community events, and increasingly, movies. By the 1980s, the Capitol had fallen into disrepair and become a run-down home for second-run movies.
In 1988, it seemed likely that the Capitol would be demolished and turned into a parking lot. Popular outcry, however, led to the city of Logan purchasing the theatre and a not-for-profit organization was formed to renovate and operate it, now known as the Cache Valley Center for the Arts. This restoration effort hit a setback in 1990, when fire destroyed much of the theater's annex. However, work continued, and the house, christened the Ellen Eccles Theatre after the family member of one of the principal philanthropists, opened to a gala performance on January 8, 1993.
The theatre, which seats approximately 1100, is used for concerts, community theatre and ballet performances, and classic movies as well as being a popular stop for many national touring act each year. It is the venue for performances of the Utah Festival Opera Company for 4 weeks in the summer, and dozens of performances during the rest of the year by the Cache Valley Civic Ballet, Cache Regional Theatre, Music Theatre West, Valley Dance Ensemble, and several Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
performing groups.