Rapids Theatre
1711 Main Street,
Niagara Falls,
NY
14305
1711 Main Street,
Niagara Falls,
NY
14305
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Rapids Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc., Shea Theatres
Architects: Leon H. Lempert, Jr.
Functions: Concerts
Previous Names: Shea's Bellevue Theatre, Dome Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
716.284.5100
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News About This Theater
Originally known as Shea’s Bellevue Theatre when it opened on September 1, 1921. In the 1940’s it was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Vincent McFaul.
In the early-1960’s, it was acquired by the Cataract Theatre Corporation and renamed the Rapids Theatre. As Main Street declined, so did the Rapids Theatre, and it closed as a movie theatre in 1974.
It reopened as a discotheque named Masquerades, and was then used for concerts as the Dome Theatre. Seats have been removed and the floor was leveled. Tables have been placed in the balcony where food can be served. In 2009, it was re-named Rapids Theatre again.
Contributed by
LOUB
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The “Belleview” opened Sept.1,1921 with 1,600 seats and was designed by Leon H. Lempert,Jr. Interior Designer was Willard M.Lusk. It became the “Rapids” in July of 1961 and closed June 25,1974. It was turned into a Disco Nov.8,1979.
This theatre seems to have 9 lives. I remember seeing movies there as a youth and happened to be in town one day years later when it was being converted into a disco – based on the photos I took at that time, it still had a fair amount of its historic decor intact. Hope this plan works.
This might be of interest to one or two visitors: an ad featuring the Six Rockets (more info about them here: View link from the Falls Gazette, featuring them as the headline act at the Bellevue Theatre, part of “Keith-Albee Supreme Vaudeville.†They are described as Sensational European Lady Entertainers. NB: the silent movie shown on the poster was released 22 January 1927 in the USA.
The Rapids theatre is still quite active booking local bands and hosting events. Here’s a link to its website: www.rapidstheatre.com