Happy Employee Appreciation Day!
Today is a special day at The Cap because we're celebrating Employee Appreciation Day. We value our staff for their commitment, enthusiasm, and real passion for the music. It's time to meet some of the folks who make all the magic happen behind the scenes.
Name: Jordan Mendelson
Position/Department: Artist Hospitality Manager
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? Four years.
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? It's impossible to pick just one!
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? Crosby, Stills, & Nash at SPAC. I got hooked on them because my parents would play the live album, 4 Way Streets, during road trips. My brother and I would sing along in the back seat, so eventually, they surprised us with concert tickets. I remember being confused when I first realized Neil Young wasn't playing with them since he was on that album, but now I can say that I've worked directly with both Neil Young and David Crosby during my time at The Cap. Funny how things like that work out sometimes.
What album are you obsessing over right now? Music From The Big Pink by The Band.
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? :: hits joint :: It's all about the vibes man...
Describe The Cap in one word: Heady.
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap? Probably the first time I drove Phil Lesh to the venue. I play the bass and Phil has always been such a huge influence on my playing, so to have him sitting just a few feet away from me alone in a van was pretty surreal. You obviously need to remain professional in those situations, but I was definitely freaking out a bit on the inside. Now after working with him more times than I can count, I'm psyched to celebrate his 80th birthday at both The Cap and LOCKN' this year!
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? If Phish can play the Met in Philly, then they could certainly play The Cap in Port Chester!
Name: Meg Stankevich
Position/Department: Director of HR + Artist Contracts
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? Since April 2012.
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? Bon Iver, 12/9/16.
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? Aerosmith, Continental Airlines Arena, 1998. My friend’s father worked for a company that owned a private box at the venue, so he took us. I felt like a very fancy 13-year-old!
What album are you obsessing over right now? I've been obsessing over Living Room by Lawrence for several months. But the new Tame Impala record is pretty epic.
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? Everyone is HAPPY to be here! All of our staff feel blessed to be a part of this experience each and every night, and that is not something I've seen at any other venue. Our Cap regulars are definitely spoiled... the vibe and energy in our room is unmatched.
Describe The Cap in one word: MAGIC!
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap Skrillex, 11/13/13.
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? Dave Matthews.
Name: Kiley Stevens
Position/Department: Hospitality
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? Since 2015! My first show was the Decembrists.
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? Probably Slayer. They really rocked the house and their fans were so sweet!
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? The first one I remember is Bela Fleck and the Flecktones in Albany, NY at the Egg Performing Arts Center. Victor Wooten threw 8-year-old me a Cosmic Hippo. Best. Moment. Ever.
What album are you obsessing over right now? Tame Impala's The Slow Rush.
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? I think we are unique in that we all love music in a spiritual way and it shows in the way we interact with both guests and artists. I don't see that at any other venue I have ever been to. I am so proud to have been a part of this family for so long.
Describe The Cap in one word: Bliss.
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap? Recently, when Jimmy Fallon popped out on stage with JRAD. It was hilarious and confusing and I loved every second of it.
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? DMX. I‚ have been asking Pete for three years.
Name: Nate Wing
Position/Department: Box Office
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? Six years (in total).
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? Primus.
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? Sum 41 at Irving Plaza in 2001. Attended with fellow Cap employees Mike Terry and Dan Marrone.
What album are you obsessing over right now? 1916 by Motorhead.
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? Genuine love and appreciation for the music and fan experience.
Describe The Cap in one word: Squirrel.
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap? Trombone Shorty bringing in the new year a few years back.
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? The Rolling Stones.
Name: Michael Terry
Position/Department: Bar/Box Office
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? Since January 2013.
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? Queens of the Stone Age with Brody Dalle - 7/16/14.
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? No Doubt and Weezer at Jones Beach in 1995.
What album are you obsessing over right now? Poppy - I Disappear.
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? Passion/family/respect/togetherness.
Describe The Cap in one word: Harmonious.
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap? When the walls were “raining blood” from the projectors for Slayer.
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? Alkaline Trio.
Name: Brian Lynch
Position/Department: Manager - Ushers
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? Since Bob Dylan September 2012.
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? Rolling Stones 10/25/97. Claypool Lennon Delirium 6/18/16. BB King Tribute 2/16/20.
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? Kansas with Manfred Mann's Earth Band at Nassau Coliseum 1978. I literally thought to myself that night "This is a rock concert, I love it!"
What album are you obsessing over right now? Black Sabbath - Black Box - The Complete Original 1970-1978.
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? Our objective is for the customers to have a good time. Our staff is hardcore music fans and that translates into knowing how to help customers enjoy each evening.
Describe The Cap in one word: Mind-blowing.
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap? Stanley Jordan 10/31/15 channeling Jimi Hendrix playing Voodoo Chile to the point of playing guitar while doing somersaults on stage mid-song.
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? Pete Townshend!
Name: Bobby Vita Jr.
Position/Department: Usher
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? March 2015.
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? Moody Blues and Chicago.
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? Ever? Surprisingly, I grew up in Port Chester, it was the Ramones in the early 90s. I was actually taken out by security following a crowd-surfing accident.
What album are you obsessing over right now? Our Lady Peace - Clumsy
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? Our love of music, and friendliness. And did I mention we're awesome?
Describe The Cap in one word: Experience
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap? Girls swinging from rafters like a circus on swings.
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? Our Lady Peace or Blue October.
Name: Marina DeLuca
Position/Department: Usher
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? Five-ish years?
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? Chris Cornell.
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? New Kids on the Block at Lake Compounce, I was 11. It was a miracle I was even allowed to go. I found out years later that my dad had to “interview” (read - interrogate) a family friend who had invited me. Somehow she passed his inquisition and off we went. As the story goes, another invite was floated by a close relative to take me to see Guns and Roses when I was 13 that interview did not go over as well and I did not get to go. The next show was Paige and Plant at MSG in a box - I was 15 and thrilled with unlimited ginger ale.
What album are you obsessing over right now? Stick Figure - World on Fire.
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? I have a hard time answering that - because every theater everywhere there are theaters has its own “folk” who love it and think their theater is the best. But what I can say is that I was going to a show in NYC and I saw a fellow Cap employee in the crowd, we were wearing the same Cap shirt, and with without saying one word to each other - we shared a perfect on-pitch high five that reverberated with authority. And we kept on walking - not missing a step - and in that totally “right-on” moment I felt proud to be a part of a team that was a team even when there was no one to see it, no building to house it and no city to pin in to. It was all spirit, vibe, and love.
Describe The Cap in one word: Illustrious.
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap? I was working at the top of the stairs and Michael Franti comes singing and dancing up our beautiful marble staircase and I think my smile wrapped around my head and my heart was beating out of my chest like Roger Rabbit.
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? Stick Figure with TJ and for sure Coco wearing a Cap handkerchief.
Name: Shelby Bretschger
Position/Department: Marketing
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? A little under two years total.
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? Either Bon Iver or the most recent JRAD run. Not only was the talent unmatched in both scenarios, both crowds emanated truly tangible energy.
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? My friend took me to an American Idol concert when I was super young, and I distinctly remember listening to Coldplay the whole way there. Oh my, a time! But my first real rock show was Tame Impala at Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio on their Lonerism tour the first night of spring break my freshman year of college. Now that was a time!
What album are you obsessing over right now? B.B. King's Completely Well.
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? Community and vibes, man.
Describe The Cap in one word: Is "hey-man" one word?
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap? The Flaming Lips busting out the "F*ck Yeah, Port Chester!" balloons -- their whole show, in general, was mind-blowing both visually and musically, everyone walked out knowing they had witnessed something special.
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? Tom Misch! ...so dreamy...
Name: Chelsea Gilchrist
Position/Department: Special Events
How long have you been working at The Capitol Theatre? 11 months.
What was your favorite concert at The Cap? The Strokes 2016. I am a massive Strokes fan, and they also played The Cap on the same date in 2014. I did GA for the 2014 show, and though I’m well acquainted with the crowds for The Strokes, the day before the 2016 show my friend and I decided to be adults and treat ourselves to seats in the Loge rather than compete with other fans for barrier spots in GA. We got dinner and drinks beforehand and remembered every second of the set, instead of needing to wait in line all day and protect our rail spots. However, we still maintained some superfan cred by chatting with a couple of the band members after the show.
What was the first concert you ever attended? Can you share the story with us? I don't remember the first concert I attended, as I was very young, but the first concert I chose to go to myself and spend my own money on was Paul McCartney at Madison Square Garden in the early 2000s. I was about 12 and I bought the tickets on eBay for me and several friends (pre-StubHub or anything like it) and wasn't convinced they were legitimate tickets until they were scanned in. Our seats weren't great, but I couldn't believe that the REAL Paul McCartney was in the same room as me. I lost my little mind and I've been chasing that feeling ever since.
What album are you obsessing over right now? Currently, Tame Impala's The Slow Rush. As of April 10, I will be obsessing over The Strokes' first full album in 7 years!
What do you believe sets The Cap staff apart from others? The dedicated fanbase and fan culture. I've always tended to maintain loyalty to acts no matter where they played, but The Cap has taught me about allegiance to a venue and to the legacy of a band, even after the band has ceased to exist in its original form.
Describe The Cap in one word: Epic.
What's your favorite "Holy sh*t!" moment from The Cap? Seeing the Flaming Lips last summer. I planned to check it out for a few songs and ended up staying for the entire show. Wayne Coyne's unicorn ride through the crowd was a highlight.
What band/artist would you love to see play The Capitol Theatre? My main scene is the early 2000s NYC-rock scene: I would love to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, LCD Soundsystem, or The Strokes return to The Cap. In terms of classic artists, I would kill to see Eric Clapton play here in my time.