Regional Theater of the Week: Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, NY

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States.

This Week's Featured Regional Theater: Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, NY

Recognized as one of the very few Working Theatres of its kind, Shea's Performing Arts Center is an award winning National Historic Site. As a nonprofit organization, Shea's relies on the support of individuals, corporations and foundations.

Shea's mission statement is to restore and maintain Shea's Buffalo Theatre for present and future generations to enjoy as a working historic theatre providing a wide variety of live performing arts experiences for our patrons and innovative and effective educational experiences fostering an appreciation of live theatre by area youth.

Ticket sales and other earned income do not completely cover the operating costs of the theatre. Therefore, the generosity of our donors to Shea's Annual Fund is vital to sustain our mission.

"Shea's is one of the architectural treasures of the region," said Director of Marketing & Public Relations Lisa Grisanti. "We want our community to learn and experience more about this beautiful structure, its rich history, and its on-going restoration efforts." The theatre was built by the Rapp Brothers of Chicago and is one of only several theatres still existing that was built by these theatre architects.

Since opening its doors in 1926, there have been many great performers that have graced the stage at Shea's including George Burns, Frank Sinatra, The Marx Brothers, and Bing Crosby, among others. The theatre also features the Western New York Entertainment Hall of Fame with inductees Lucille O'Ball, Buffalo Bob, and Christine Baranski, among others, whose portraits grace the Petit Lobby.

Under the guidelines of the National Historic Registry, the interior restoration at Shea's is done by a team of committed volunteers and students who donate their time and talent to restoring "the Wonder Theatre."

Shea's upcoming 2013 season includes BLUE MAN GROUP, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, ELVIS LIVES, SESAME STREET LIVE, LARRY THE CABLE GUY, SISTER ACT, ROCK OF AGES and more.

For additional information, including Shea's upcoming 2013 season, educational programs, master classes, volunteer opportunities and more, visit: http://www.sheas.org/

Know of a theater we should feature? Send your suggestion to christina@broadwayworld.com

More Articles by This Author...