Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre (Clearwater, USA)
Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
Built and founded in 1921 as the Capitol Theatre (Royalty Theatre 1982–2008), this classic building with a large mezzanine and furniture reminiscent of a classic Hollywood theatre is one of the oldest operating theaters in Florida.
The Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, which was also known as the Capitol Theatre and the Royalty Theatre, is a historic theater in Clearwater, Florida. The theater has a seating capacity of 750 people. The theater is owned by the City of Clearwater and managed by Ruth Eckerd Hall. It opened in 1921 for vaudeville and movies. After it struggled economically it was renamed the Royalty Theatre. It was restored in 1999-2000 and reopened. It was bought by the City of Clearwater in 2008 and run by Ruth Eckerd Hall for acts such as the punk rock group Henry Rollins, comedian Steven Wright, and singer Richard Marx. In 2013, the City of Clearwater launched an elaborate $11 million restoration of the theater as part of broader downtown revitalization. The theater reopened in 2014 to much acclaim and financial success. Since the reopening, that theater has played host to acts such as Jay Leno and B.B. King.
In March 2019, Ruth Eckerd Hall announced a $2.5 million gift from Nancy and David Bilheimer as part of the theatre’s ongoing “Expanding the Experience” fundraising campaign. In recognition of the generous donation, the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater is now called The Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre.