Built in 1923, the Ellen Eccles Theater—formerly known as Capitol Theater—was built to replace the Thatcher Opera House that burned down in 1912. The theater was used for Vaudeville acts and opera; however, when interest in Vaudeville wained the theater was used for concerts, university events and movies.
The Capitol Theater was grand; when you entered from the street you went through a storefront where you bought your ticket and then you entered a large foyer area leading to the the theater that had 900 seats on the main floor, and on the balcony were 400 seats, and then there was boxes with another 150 seats. The 75 feet high opera stage's width and depth was 70 by 36 feet. The theater closed in the mid 1970s and and was eventually restored and it reopened in 1993. After the reopening the Capitol Theater was renamed—after the philanthropist—the Ellen Eccles Theater.
The opera house, after the restoration is a beautiful asset to the community. Some of the production companies allow patrons to tour backstage; be sure to get to the theater early to ask if backstage tours are possible. Owned by the City of Logan, the Ellen Eccles Theater is managed by the Cashe Valley for the Arts.
Throughout the year many local organizations of the Arts come to the theater to perform, including the Valley Dance Ensemble, the Cache Valley Civic Ballet, the Cache Regional Theater and others. During the Summer months, the Utah Festival Opera presents world renown musical masterpieces.
For more information about the Ellen Eccles Theater visit this website: tixsales@centerforthearts.us
