Shea's Performing Arts Center

646 Main Street,
Buffalo, NY 14202

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Showing 51 - 75 of 89 comments

Patsy
Patsy on April 2, 2008 at 10:08 am

DramaQueen: I have sent an email to a friend and resident of Buffalo who may be able to help you…stay tuned.

DramaQueen186
DramaQueen186 on April 2, 2008 at 9:27 am

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?

Patsy
Patsy on March 24, 2008 at 7:11 am

LOUB: Great improvements have been made in restoring the original look of this theatre in downtown Buffalo.

LouB
LouB on March 22, 2008 at 10:07 pm

http://www.pbase.com/kjosker/image/28262972

This site shows the old marquee which has since been replaced.

LouB
LouB on March 22, 2008 at 10:01 pm

View link

There is a nice view of Sheas and downtown Buffalo at the above site.

Patsy
Patsy on January 31, 2008 at 8:31 am

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!

PGlenat
PGlenat on January 31, 2008 at 12:57 am

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.

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois on January 30, 2008 at 9:48 pm

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!"

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on January 25, 2008 at 6:44 pm

Glad you enjoyed it.

Patsy
Patsy on January 25, 2008 at 6:40 pm

ken mc: Great photo and a great theatre!

LouB
LouB on January 6, 2008 at 9:32 pm

For everyone who enjoys movies at Sheas, their website shows a screening of the 1922 silent film,Robin Hood on Jan.13th at 2PM.

LouB
LouB on August 30, 2007 at 6:58 pm

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.

Patsy
Patsy on June 26, 2007 at 9:47 am

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.

LouB
LouB on June 26, 2007 at 8:29 am

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.

JimRankin
JimRankin on June 1, 2006 at 2:53 am

Buffalo had a number of fine theatres according to the article mentioned above. Let us hope they all continue in good health!

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on May 31, 2006 at 6:20 pm

Here is an interesting article about the Shea and other theaters in Buffalo:
http://tinyurl.com/mok2a

Patsy
Patsy on February 13, 2006 at 1:25 pm

And the other photo shows the Shea’s before the vertical BUFFALO sign was added which makes such a difference!

Patsy
Patsy on February 13, 2006 at 1:23 pm

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

ERD
ERD on November 19, 2005 at 4:43 am

Probably one of the most beautiful former movie palace theatres left
in our country.

FEENXFIRE
FEENXFIRE on November 15, 2005 at 9:21 pm

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.

Patsy
Patsy on June 11, 2005 at 5:13 pm

Ziggy: I shall report back here after the Stevens concert!

Patsy
Patsy on June 11, 2005 at 5:10 pm

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.

JimRankin
JimRankin on June 10, 2005 at 9:23 am

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.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on March 14, 2005 at 6:50 pm

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.