Overview
The Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre has been at the center of the Salt Lake arts and culture community since its opening in 1913 as the Orpheum Theatre. Originally a vaudeville house, the Orpheum offered “highest standard acts and greatest stars of the stage.” More than 100 years later, the venue continues to host exceptional events and performers. The Capitol is home to Resident companies Ballet West and Utah Opera.
There are countless memories contained within our walls. Many Utahns have their first performing arts experience at the Capitol Theatre as a participant or a spectator. For many families, the Holidays are not complete without attending The Nutcracker. Broadway stars including Robert Goulet, Carol Channing, Molly Ringwald, and Marissa Jaret Winkour have played on our stage. Some lucky Utahns even remember when the Capitol was a movie theater and a vaudeville stage!
Capitol Theatre’s Illustrious Architect
Gustave Albert Lansburgh (1876-1969) was a San Francisco-based architect with a degree in architecture from the École des Beaux Arts in Paris (1906). He is best known for his work on luxury theaters and cinemas, designing more than 50 theaters nationwide for the Orpheum Theater Circuit, primarily on the west coast.
He designed the Orpheum (Capitol) Theatre and used the latest in architectural technologies and finishes, including steel reinforcement and a terra cotta-clad exterior, a new finish found only on the Hotel Utah. On its opening in 1913, the Theatre was recognized as an architectural gem, and a reporter at the time described the Orpheum’s décor as “rich and restful without vulgar or gaudy display.”
Other theaters designed by Lansburgh include the El Capitan Theatre and Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, and the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York City.
BOOK YOUR EVENT
Host your next event at Capitol Theatre
Ticket Office Hours
Open: 90 minutes before showtime
Close: 30 minutes after show start
Credit card payment is preferred at ArtTix windows. Cash payments will be accepted. Exact change is encouraged.
Buy tickets for events at Capitol Theatre:
- Online at saltlakecountyarts.org
- On our ArtTix app
- By Phone at (801)-355-2787
- In person at our Arttix Ticketing Hubs open Mon-Fri 10 am - 6 pm, Sat 10 am - 2 pm with extended hours on show days
- Capitol Theatre - 50 W 200 South, Salt Lake City
- Eccles Theater - 131 S Main Street, Salt Lake City
- Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center - 2525 Taylorsville Blvd, Taylorsville
get in touch
General Information
Phone: (385)-468-1010
Lost & Found: (385)-468-1009
Event Booking: (385)-468-1030
arts-info@slco.org
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Arttix Featured Events
Living Historic Landmark! Ballet West's historic Nutcracker production, first staged in 1944 by Ballet West’s founder Willam Christensen, is now designated as a Living Historic Landmark by the state of Utah - the first such designation for a ballet. Discover why this iconic classic, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Ballet West Orchestra, has become synonymous with holiday tradition.
Living Historic Landmark! Ballet West's historic Nutcracker production, first staged in 1944 by Ballet West’s founder Willam Christensen, is now designated as a Living Historic Landmark by the state of Utah - the first such designation for a ballet. Discover why this iconic classic, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Ballet West Orchestra, has become synonymous with holiday tradition.
Janet Quiney Lawson Capitol Theatre Rental Information
Capitol Theatre at a Glance
The Capitol Theatre is one of Salt Lake County’s most beloved buildings and has been a Downtown landmark since 1913. Today the Capitol Theatre is known for its elegant turn-of-the-century architecture with rich reds and golds complementing the lobby and auditorium. Brass and crystal chandeliers adorn the lobby. Capriccio, a Byzantine-style mosaic is the highlight of the lobby.
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- Capitol Theatre
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- Capitol Theatre – Grand Lobby
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- Capitol Theatre – Rooftop Lounge & Terrace
Rental Inquiries
If you’re interested in a rental at Capitol Theatre, please start by filling out the Venue Rental Application linked below. Once received, an Event Management representative will contact you.
For questions or additional rental information at Capitol Theatre please contact Salt Lake County Arts & Culture Event Management at (385)-468-1030 or events@info.saltlakecountyarts.org.
Performance Rental Information
Capacity
Main Hall 1,791
Cast and Crew Accommodations
- Five star dressing rooms
- Two chorus dressing rooms
- Musicians lounge
- Green Room
- Production office
- Wig room
Patron Accommodations
- Assisted Listening Devices
- Concessions
- Coat check
Technical Specifications
- Proscenium: 24’2” high x 48’6″ deep x 43’4” wide
- Guillotine main drape
- Sprung floor
- Configurable orchestra pit
Rates
| Type | Services |
|---|---|
| Commercial | 2025-26 Venue Rental & Service Rates |
| Non-Profit | 2025-26 Venue Rental & Service Rates |
Meeting and Reception Rental Information
Capacities
| Type | Standing Reception | Banquet Reception |
|---|---|---|
| Capitol Theatre Stage | 170 | 272 |
| Capitol Theatre Lobby | 268 | 124 |
| Capitol Room | Varies depending on type of event, please contact Arts & Culture Events for further details. | |
| Rooftop Lounge | Varies depending on type of event, please contact Arts & Culture Events for further details. | |
| Rooftop Lounge & Terrace | Varies depending on type of event, please contact Arts & Culture Events for further details. |
For Current Clients – Event Guide
Contact Event Management staff to request password.
Janet Quiney Lawson Capitol Theatre Guest Services
Concessions
Concessions are available before the show and at intermission in the lobby and mezzanine level. Western Foods offers gourmet candies, baked treats, and beverages including bottled water, Coca-Cola products, coffee, and craft or domestic beers. Bottled water and snacks are allowed in the seating area, however, please enjoy other beverages before entering the performance. They accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Card.
Accessibility Services
Capitol Theatre is accessible to people with disabilities and offers wheelchair seating, curbside assistance, and assisted listening devices. If you have any requests or concerns regarding wheelchair and companion seating or need other accommodations, including listening devices, ASL interpreter services, or captioning services, please contact ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787) or 1-888-451-ARTS (2787) or by email at info@arttix.org . Patrons should Dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS).
Coat Check
Coat check is available in the lobby near concessions. This service is available to all patrons free of charge.
Booster Seats
* September 2021 - Booster seats are currently unavailable due to COVID concerns.
We have booster seat cushions available on a first-come first-served basis at Capitol Theatre. The cushions are primarily for children and petite adults. Cushions are distributed at the coat check stand.
Merchandise Sales
Merchandise is available for most performances. Contact arts-info@slco.org for further information about specific performances.
Parking and Transportation
Parking is not available at Capitol Theatre. However, metered street parking and paid lots are available nearby. 
In addition, TRAX stations and bus stops are conveniently located throughout downtown Salt Lake City to help make transportation easy. The TRAX stop nearest to Capitol Theatre is Gallivan Plaza Station on the Blue and Green lines. 
Lost and Found
If you have misplaced an item at Capitol Theatre please contact lost and found at (385)-468-1009 for assistance.