Shea's Performing Arts Center

This theatre was known as Shea's Buffalo Theatre which seated 3498 people when it was a movie theatre. Shea operated 9 other theatre in Buffalo, New York area. Shea's Elmwood, Shea's Great Lakes, Shea's Hippodrome, Shea's Kensington, Shea's Niagara, Shea's North Park, Shea's Roosevelt, Shea's Seneca, Shea's Teck.

I attended a free screening of "An Affair To Remember" at Shea's about five years ago. The theatre was full and I was seated in the fifth from the last row of the balcony. The screen was so large I don't even remember having to look down. A classic theatre, a classic movie, and 3500 people enjoying the ambience -- what an experience.

Shea's Buffalo Theatre is also the home of one of the finest Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organs ever built by the neighboring Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, of North Tonawanda.
Factory sales reps. would occasionally use the "Mighty Wurlitzer" as a demonstration instrument to prospective clients that were representatives of many leading theatre chains of the era.
Fortunately, the instrument remains relatively intact in its original installation in the theatre. It must be heard to be believed.

The former BUFFALO is truly a wonderful space, and that is brought out no better than in the ANNUAL of 1994 of the Theatre Historical Soc. where in its 34 pages are the plans in addition to dozens of b/w photos of the theatre in its prime and also present. It is remarkable to see therein just how much this design resembled that other work also by Rapp & Rapp, the RIALTO in Joliet, Illinois. Today, it may not be quite as grand as it once was, but we can rejoice that it is still with us as a performing arts center.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE:
To obtain any available Back Issue of either "Marquee" or of its ANNUALS, simply go to the web site of the THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA at:
www.HistoricTheatres.org
and notice on their first page the link "PUBLICATIONS: Back Issues List" and click on that and you will be taken to their listing where they also give ordering details. The "Marquee" magazine is 8-1/2x11 inches tall ('portrait') format, and the ANNUALS are also soft cover in the same size, but in the long ('landscape') format, and are anywhere from 26 to 40 pages. Should they indicate that a publication is Out Of Print, then it may still be possible to view it via Inter-Library Loan where you go to the librarian at any public or school library and ask them to locate which library has the item by using the Union List of Serials, and your library can then ask the other library to loan it to them for you to read or photocopy. [Photocopies of most THSA publications are available from University Microforms International (UMI), but their prices are exorbitant.]

Note: Most any photo in any of their publications may be had in large size by purchase; see their ARCHIVE link. You should realize that there was no color still photography in the 1920s, so few theatres were seen in color at that time except by means of hand tinted renderings or post cards, thus all the antique photos from the Society will be in black and white, but it is quite possible that the Society has later color images available; it is best to inquire of them.

Should you not be able to contact them via their web site, you may also contact their Executive Director via E-mail at: execdir@historictheatres.org
Or you may reach them via phone or snail mail at:
Theatre Historical Soc. of America
152 N. York, 2nd Floor York Theatre Bldg.
Elmhurst, ILL. 60126-2806 (they are about 15 miles west of Chicago)

Phone: 630-782-1800 or via FAX at: 630-782-1802 (Monday through Friday, 9AM--4PM, CT)

My parents attended the Big Bands at the Shea's during the 1940's.When I was a teenager in 1967 I saw the James Bond film "You Only Live Twice" at the Shea's. What a beautiful huge theatre Buffalo has. It was in great condition in 1967 and it does look a lot like the Rialto in Joliet, Illinois. Have they completed work on restoration of marquee?I remember walking downtown at night deciding on which movie we would see and "Taming of the Shrew" was playing at the Loew's Teck,"Barefoot in The Park" was playing at the Cinema, and a Disney film was playing at the Century and "You Only Live Twice" was playing at the Shea's.I now know that the large closed theatre without a marquee was the Paramount which closed in 1965.I do remember the Shea's had a huge movie screen.Shea's is in my top 20 favroite movie palace's.

Ironically, one of the finest collections of photos of one theatre on the net, is not on that theatre's web site, that of the former Shea's BUFFALO Theatre of Buffalo, NY. It is on an architectural site: "The Buffalo Architectural Index" and "Illustrated Architecture Dictionary" which uses the theatre and many other buildings to illustrate the terms in their extensive Dictionary of Architecture. There are over one hundred enlargeable, color photos at: http://ah.bfn.org/a/main/646/hp.html

I heard there are plans to replicate the original vertical sign and to reproduce the terra cotta pediment that used to be on top of the Main Street facade. Now if they could only get rid of the hideous racks of spotlights that mar the organ grills. I can only hope they were some sort of temporary thing and have been removed since I was there last December.

If you go to the site named by Jim Rankin (in his comment of July 7,2004), you will see recent photographs (taken on 8/11/04) of the newly replicated vertical sign, and the restoration of the pediment atop the facade.

There is a good article on the theatre in the Hamilton Spectator's Saturday September 25th paper by MARY K. Noylan. molan@thespec.com

I was very pleased to see the vertical sign restored to the Shea's Buffalo Theatre. All the great restored movie palaces should have great vertical's signs like Shea's Buffalo. My parents were married in the Buffalo area during WW11 and attended the big bands at this wonderful theatre which is one of my personal favorites.brucec

I saw Connie Francis perform here Wednesday night in a benefit concert for the Variety Club. I cant tell you how beautiful and large this theatre is. My friend and I were laughing that they could put 20 shoebox theatres just in the lobby space alone.

Vertical sign does make a big difference...so do the replaced exterior details.

I understand that a man named Kurt Mangel(SP?) is responsible for saving this place.

Life's too short: I just emailed a Buffalo friend of mine and asked him about the name Kurt Mangel. He is not familiar with that name, but it would be interesting to know more about this name and whether he, in fact, was responsible for saving the Shea's.

I can't say if Kurt Mangel is responsible for the work on the BUFFALO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER all by himself, but I do know that this is but one of many theatres he has helped along, most notably the UPTOWN in Chicago some years back.

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.

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.

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.

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

Some exterior photos of Shea's Performing Arts Center can be seen here.

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.

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

Here is a b/w photo of Shea's Buffalo Theater.

This is a night view of Shea's Buffalo Theater.

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.

http://movingout.uvision.net/tour_feb/index.html#firstDRUM

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Shea's Buffalo Theater ** (added 1975 - Building - #75001186)
Also known as The Buffalo Theater
646 Main St., Buffalo

Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Rapp,George, Rapp,C.W.
Architectural Style: No Style Listed
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

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

Here is another view of the Shea:
http://tinyurl.com/2xcqxb

ken mc: Great photo and a great theatre!

Glad you enjoyed it.

LOL

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!"

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.

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!

http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/h/movie/k/source/2.html

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

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

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

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

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?

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

DramaQueen: My friend's comments were as follows: "Any researcher would begin by seeking out the person in charge of the operation. It used to be a Mr. Fagan, but he retired. They must have a website, no? I'm sure all the contact information is on it. Something as simple as a phone call to Shea's should start the ball rolling."

Patsy: Thanks so much for the advice!

Patsy: Thanks so much for the advice!

DramaQueen: The current person in charge of operations is a Mr. Conte.

LOUB: Your June 26, 2007 mentioned the movie, Ben Hur so I had to pause today and remember a movie legend, Charleton Heston. RIP Mr. Heston.

He's going to be upset that you spelled his name wrong. Seriously, I enjoyed his work even if I didn't agree with the NRA business. "Touch of Evil" comes to mind, although it was a stretch to think that he was Mexican. RIP, indeed.

Rest in peace, Mr. Charlton Heston. I didn't agree with the NRA business either, but do have friends who are members.

http://news.aol.com/entertainment/movies/movie-news-story/ar/_a/charlton-heston-dies-at-84/20080406011709990001

Patsy,
I remember writing the post and I won't forget seeing a classic film like Ben Hur, with a legendary actor in Charlton Heston, at a classic theatre. If Sheas offered this film again,I'd be there.

LOUB: Send them an email and maybe they'll offer it again thoug h not sure if they show movies on the big screen anymore.

Patsy,
That's a good idea. Fortunately,they still show films there. In fact, The Wizard of Oz is scheduled for April 20th.

http://select.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F70E1EF63F58177A93C5A8178ED85F408385F9

The above website is the obituary for Mr.Shea.

Here are some nice recent photos.

All the facade from the first piece of horizontal trim above the window and on up is replicated from the original design. That portion of the facade had been removed decades ago due to water damage making the terra cotta unstable. It's nice to see it back again!

ziggy: Amen!

Here is a postcard circa 1960s:
http://tinyurl.com/5fnqa9

I've seen that before. I remember the T-Bird. It was probably posted on another theater listing.

Probably on the Paramount site.

Yup. This is the link that I posted on the Paramount page on Jul 21, 2006 at 8:08am. The old memory is still working. :)

Lost: Great photo of a former downtown Buffalo.

The photo looks like a bustling downtown or at the very least a modern day car show with classic cars! LOL!

It does remind you of a classic car show. The reason that the T-bird sticks in my mind is, a friend owned a 1957 T-bird. He regrets selling it and I regret not buying it from him. That car would probably be worth a small fortune today. :(

Lost: My husband is a car enthusiast and he tells me that a '57 T-bird is worth from $25,000-$75,000 depending on level of restoration. What color do you prefer? If you want to know more, email me.

Patsy: The only color for a 57 T-bird that works for me is RED!! Black, 2nd choice. Unfortunately you can't go tooling down Main Street in Buffalo past Shea's or the former Paramount in your T-Bird now. As far as I know the street is still closed to vehicle traffic (except for transit) these days :(

sam_e: Unfortunately, you are correct in that Main Street assessment. Personally, I would like to see it opened up again as that might help revitalize that area of downtown. Whose idea was it anyway?

Guys here is an article for you Springsteen fans. He started the Darkeness on the Edge of Town in Shea's 30 years ago. Here is the article from Backstreets.com:

http://backstreets.com/news.html

http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/BuffaloMovieTheaters/message/108

Celebrate Mickey Mouse's birthday at Sheas. Information can be found at the site above.

LOUB: This will be a fun and memorable event!

On Jan. 25th at 2PM the 1916 silent film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea will be screened as part of the Free Family Film Series. The Mighty Wurlitzer will accompany the film.

http://www.americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c32%2c3%2c430&catpageindex=2&ProductID=30678

The website above shows the theatre in 1968 when it was still being used as a first run movie house.

1978 Photo

1982 Photo

1987 Photo

http://www.buffalonews.com/185/story/644318.html

Above is a recent article about Sheas.

What a fantastic-looking theatre, both inside and out!! It seems like just the perfect theatre for both live performances AND great, golden oldie-but-goody classic films.

Btw--I read the above article about the Sheas Theatre with much interest and enjoyment. Thanks, LOUB.

i am always stunned that in any history of the theater and the shea's chain the mention of Vincent McFaul is almost always omitted. He was the General Manager from the first day until his death in 1955. Further, he worked for Michael Shea from the age of 12 and was President of the chain from 1930 until 1955, which was one of the more storied eras of the now defunct chain.

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/765813.html

The above website deals with renovations at the theatre.

According to the above article, they are replacing all the carpeting throughout the theatre will replicas of the five original designs/colors - basded on Louis Tiffany's original sketches in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and a single surviving piece of original cartpet. Much of it has already been installed, with the rest to be completed by opening gala on September 11, 2009. They are also replacing the m,essage board with a new LED-based one, and doing exterior painting.