Giant, modern, multiplex movie theaters have their place, but it’s refreshing to see a movie house that has retained its charm and utility with just one screen. The Victoria Theatre at 222 Main Street in Blossburg is a place like that. And, thanks to new owners Deb Capece and her husband, Dominic, who purchased the property in April 2023, it’s also more than just movies.

“When the building was for sale, there were rumors that it would no longer be used as a theater,” Deb says. “I didn’t want that to happen. It’s such a piece of history for the area. Plus I had a vision for that space.”

Opening its doors in 1920, the Victoria Theatre showed silent movies of that era, complete with piano to accompany the action on the screen. In the ’30s, Martin and Rose Meyer owned the building, renovating the theater in 1965 (that’s the décor you see today), and finally closing the doors in 1976 after Martin passed away. The theater sat empty and unused for years until 2009, when Peter and Patricia Gorda purchased the building. They renovated the upstairs into apartments and started updating the downstairs theater space, with help in the form of their daughter, Tonya, and her husband, Tom McNamara. Among some of the treasures found were the original curtain and piano!

Seven years later, in 2016, the McNamaras would become the next owners of the Victoria. Among the improvements they made were to the lighting and the sound. They added a lit marquee to the building, making it look more like a theater than a storefront. They also took the plunge and updated from 35 mm film to the digital age. Gone were the days of getting a box of film on reels and splicing them together so a movie could be shown, only to take the movie apart before being put back on the reels and sent back. (Now movies are sent on a hard drive and downloaded into the projector, not nearly as much fun for movie enthusiasts but much easier for those working the projectors.)

The Victoria Theatre was once again a place for community to connect and enjoy an evening out for a few years, until the shutdown in 2020. While that year was hard for many businesses, it was especially hard on the arts, and the McNamaras decided to sell the property. Enter Deb Capece and her vision.

Growing up in a musical family in southeastern Pennsylvania, Deb settled in this area in 2013. “I earned my musical performance degree from Kutztown University, and have written and co-written four Broadway-style shows,” she says, then adds, “I offer voice and music lessons as well.”

Performing is a little different from owning a movie theater, however, as Deb soon found out when she tried bringing in new movies to show. “We have one screen and the powers-that-be want you to show their movie for two to three weekends. So, they won’t lease to us because we’re either too small of a movie theater or it’s too expensive for us,” she explains.

Good thing Deb’s vision is bigger than the big screen.

“I want to bring vintage movies to the screen again. There are single screen movie houses that are called ‘art houses.’ They show old movies, bringing to life classics for a new generation, as well as those who want to enjoy them once again on the silver screen,” Deb explains. They showed Gone with the Wind last year, complete with people dressed in period clothing. “We honored Hattie McDaniel and her Oscar win at that showing,” Deb says. This past Valentine’s Day weekend, the community was treated to Casablanca, again with an actor dressed in clothing of that era, giving a bit of history on the film.

“But I don’t want to limit the space to just older movies. I want a live theater experience,” Deb continues. To that end, once a month there’s a live band, ranging in musical taste and genre. “Because I wanted to develop the theater into a live performance space, we had to add a new sound and lighting system that would enhance that. The systems that were in place prior were great for watching a movie but not for live theater.

“We held two art shows in 2024, as well as a Christmas pageant. We’ve hosted a few documentaries, open mic nights, and during the summer we show family-friendly movies for free. We want this to be affordable for the community.” She adds, “In the fall, we showcase local bands in a ‘School of Rock’ type show. The bands audition, and we choose three or four to perform. It’s always great fun.”

A local theater group known as the Bloss Players performed Deb’s original musical Song of Ruth last year. This year the group is looking at a comedy of sorts called Southern Fried Funeral. “You can probably tell that this will be about sibling rivalry at the funeral of the family patriarch, with a good dose of humor,” Deb says with a laugh.

“Theater has always been in my life, and I just want to share it with others,” says Deb.

The theater can also be reserved for gatherings and events. “We held a bridal shower here recently, and in March there will be a Sip & Paint [March 15, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.], which is open to the public, though size is limited.”

With a move to be more than just a movie theater, the official name of this 105-year-old business is now the Tioga County Center for the Performing Arts at Victoria Theatre. They can be reached at (570) 638-6111, or for more information go to victoriatheatreblossburg.com. Follow them on Facebook at Victoria Theatre Blossburg.