Thu 5/3 @ 6-9PM
What do you bring to a 97thbirthday party?
In the case of the Capitol Theatre’s milestone, Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization’s executive director Jeff Ramsey said attendees can leave the gifts at home. Instead, they can expect to enjoy a champagne toast, hors d’oeuvres and a slice of birthday cake, as well as take in the Paul Newman classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
“I know a lot of people, especially the old-timers who say that they had their first date at the Capitol Theatre, feel it’s a neat experience being able to go to a 1920s movie palace and see a movie,” Ramsey said. “Overall, this is just a fun evening,”
This year’s Capitol Theatre birthday soiree, which is actually a fundraiser, takes place from Thu 5/3 @ 6-9pm at the iconic W. 65th building. Ramsey said the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization’s plan is to balance birthday celebrations with big galas every other year. That said, the 2017 event was a blowout affair.
“Last year we raised more than $100,000,” Ramsey said. “We reached out to a lot of our corporate partners because when the theater reopened in 2009 we put in all new state-of-the-art technology. But to show how rapidly technology is changing, by last year all of it was out of date.
“So using last year’s funds, we put all in new technology with video and Dolby equipment. We also carpeted some areas and repaired the plaster.”
Looking ahead, the all-digital Capitol Theatre is in need of adding stadium-style seating, which Ramsey said is still a few years away.
Since reopening nearly a decade ago, the Capitol Theatre, which originally opened in 1921, has been a rousing success story with Ramsey calling it the “economic engine” of the Gordon Square and Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood.
Annually more than 50,000 people take in a movie, which ranges from new releases to classic films and cult classics. Theatergoers also frequent local restaurants and establishments, as well as help the local housing market.
Regarding the screening of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization marketing & events coordinator Liz Weiler said the selection of the movie wasn’t by accident.
“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was chosen because it is the 60th anniversary year of the film,” Weiler said. “We like to show timeless, classic films at events like this because we feel they reflect the old style, glamour and classic elements of the theater.”
With that in mind, it’s also not a stretch to think perhaps Cleveland native Newman not only saw a flick or two at the Capitol Theatre, but also had his first date at the popular venue.
“That’s right, he’s a Clevelander,” Ramsey laughed. “He just might have, for sure.”
Cleveland, OH 44102