Era: 1926-Present
Location: Southwest corner of Main and Park Streets (122 E Main St)
The story of the Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts begins with a bold real estate transaction in 1925.
The city Fire Hall and City Offices were sold to Joseph H. Lebowski for $25,000 cash. He demolished the buildings and constructed a modern theater. The $63,640 building permit fee was equivalent to one-quarter of the entire city budget for the year.
The Capitol Theater opened March 4, 1926 featuring a magnificent 6-manual theater organ and Vaudeville performances—song-and-dance teams, magicians, comic skits, acrobats, and trained animals. Admission was 35 cents for Sunday balcony seats, 50 cents for main floor, 10 cents for children.
During WWII, the Capitol sold War Stamps and Bonds and advertised John Wayne movies on its marquee.
The Capitol operated until 1984. In 1985, it became the Christian Independent Fellowship Church. In 1990, with help from the Lebowsky family (note the spelling change), the theater became home to the Owosso Community Players.
On February 13, 2007, a devastating fire—suspected arson—destroyed much of the theater. Through state grants, loans, and community fundraising, the building was restored and reopened in 2014 as the Lebowsky Center for the Performing Arts—a gem in our Owosso community.