Shea's Performing Arts Center
646 Main Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14202
646 Main Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14202
28 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 89 comments
DramaQueen: I have sent an email to a friend and resident of Buffalo who may be able to help you…stay tuned.
I am writing a paper about Shea’s and am having a difficult time finding information, specifically about current operating structure, staffing, clientelle, public relations and marketing, governance, and finances/budget. I know that have been going through restoration, but how have they gotten the money for it? Can anybody direct me to more information?
LOUB: Great improvements have been made in restoring the original look of this theatre in downtown Buffalo.
http://www.pbase.com/kjosker/image/28262972
This site shows the old marquee which has since been replaced.
View link
There is a nice view of Sheas and downtown Buffalo at the above site.
sam_e: Good to see a post from you and especially about one of my favorite theatres, the Shea’s in Buffalo NY! BTW, I’ll be seeing Lucie Arnaz at Kleinhans Music Hall on April 19th! I’ve seen her in concert before and she is a wonderful entertainer and singer, but I’ve never seen KMH so that will be a treat, too!
The only other original Wurlitzer organ installation is in the Riviera theatre in North Tonawanda (almost within spitting distance of the old Wurlitzer factory). That organ has been enlarged with some ranks salvaged from other Buffalo area theatre organs. Also, I’ve read that there is at least one Buffalo church (quite possibly there are others) containing a Wurlitzer organ.
The Mighty WurliTzer Theater Pipe Organ mentioned above is Opus 1206, a 4 Manual, 32 Rank monster shipped all the way from the WurliTzer Headquarters at 908 Niagara Falls Boulevard, North Tonwanda, New York, less then 18 miles away from the theater. It was shipped on November 30, 1925. As best as I can tell about 17 theaters in Buffalo had WurliTzers installed in them and this is the only theater that still has one. In fact this is one a the very few theaters that still has the original organ still installed in the original theater! Buffalo should be very PROUD.
“Gee Dad, it "IS” a WurliTzer!"
Glad you enjoyed it.
ken mc: Great photo and a great theatre!
Here is another view of the Shea:
http://tinyurl.com/2xcqxb
For everyone who enjoys movies at Sheas, their website shows a screening of the 1922 silent film,Robin Hood on Jan.13th at 2PM.
To most Western New Yorkers this theater will always be known as Shea’s Buffalo.
I remember when the Loew’s chain operated this theater during the early 70’s. The venue consisted of martial arts and action films and the theater was in disrepair. Loews pulled out and there was talk about demolishing the theater.
Fortunately,the theater was saved and is thriving as the centerpiece of Buffalo’s Theater District.
LOUB: While reading your post I couldn’t help notice the one above posted by the late Jim Rankin last June. As you may know, we lost him a few months ago and CT will never be the same without his vast theatre knowledge, but we still have his many posts that he left with us.
I had the opportunity to see Ben Hur here a few years ago as part of the Classic Film series. The theater was packed and there were many young people with their parents. Seeing this film on the big screeen was certainly special.
Buffalo had a number of fine theatres according to the article mentioned above. Let us hope they all continue in good health!
Here is an interesting article about the Shea and other theaters in Buffalo:
http://tinyurl.com/mok2a
And the other photo shows the Shea’s before the vertical BUFFALO sign was added which makes such a difference!
Lost Memory: Great night photo of the Shea’s in Buffalo. I will be seeing Movin Out at the Shea’s in April which is a musical tribute to Billy Joel.
View link
Probably one of the most beautiful former movie palace theatres left
in our country.
They should show more free films. The place has an army of volunteers. If they’re afraid of black people, they should pick up and move house to the suburbs.
Also, this theatre’s upper management believes, in all seriousness, that Michael Shea haunts the place. That can’t be true, if only because Shea would have forced them by now to show more free films.
Ziggy: I shall report back here after the Stevens concert!
I’m going to see John Steven, IV of American Idol fame, season 3 in concert at this theatre on June 28th when John’s first CD, Red will be released.
Recent color photos of this theatre can be found on the site: “America’s Stunning Theatres” by photographer and stagehand Noah Kern at: http://www.pbase.com/affablebeef/theatres Comments and information may be left there without registration; such can be public view or only to Mr. Kern. Scroll down the page to find the name, and then click on the sample image above it to be taken to the page of photos of it.
Some would tell you that he saved it…can’t tell you for sure…just what I understand.
I have also heard that he suffered nerve damage while clearing ice from the gutters of Chicago’s Uptown in the early 90’s.