April 8 2017 ââ“ North Tonawanda Ny Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center
 Riviera Theatre Auditorium | |
 | |
| Accost | 67 Webster St. North Tonawanda, New York Us |
|---|---|
| Parking | Street/Lot |
| Owner | Rivera Theatre and Organ Preservation Society, Inc. |
| Type | Movie Palace |
| Capacity | 1,140 |
| Screens | i |
| Current use | Performing Arts Center |
| Construction | |
| Opened | December 30, 1926 |
| Years agile | 90 |
| Builder | Leon H. Lempart and Son |
| Builder | Yellen Family unit |
| Website | |
| www | |
| Riviera Theatre | |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| Show map of New York Testify map of the Usa | |
| Coordinates | 43°1′26″N 78°52′38″W / 43.02389°N 78.87722°W / 43.02389; -78.87722 Coordinates: 43°1′26″N 78°52′38″W / 43.02389°N 78.87722°West / 43.02389; -78.87722 |
| Area | 0.v acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1926 (1926) |
| Architect | Lambert, Leon H.,& Sons |
| NRHP referenceNo. | 80002731[one] |
| Added to NRHP | March twenty, 1980 |
The Riviera Theatre is a historic, 1140 seat entertainment venue in North Tonawanda, New York. The theatre hosts a multitude of performing arts events per year, including live concerts, theatre, dance shows, and movies. The Riviera's "Mighty Wurlitzer" theatre organ has been fully restored, is continually maintained by volunteers, and is famed as being one of two original Wurlitzer demonstrator organs, which the company would use to evidence off to potential clients in the height of the silent movie era.
The Riviera Theatre is listed on the National and New York Land Register of Celebrated Places.[1]
History [edit]
A local landmark and movie theatre, the theatre was synthetic in 1926 to much fanfare, and was originally named "The New Rivera." The start films shown were Upstage starring Norma Shearer and The Mona Lisa. The Wurlitzer Theatre organ installed in the theatre: Opus 1524 was shipped from the nearby (iv mi) Wurlitzer Organ Factory on November 19, 1926. Listed as a Model 235 Special, the organ differed from a standard 3 manual 11 rank Model 235, by substituting an Oboe Horn rank of pipes from the standard Salicional pipes usually found on this model. Other differences included the omission of the standard remote Piano, and a 5 H.P. blower instead of the vii-1/2 H.P. The console was painted and decorated to harmonize with the theatre's interior, by Wurlitzer's Band Organ Artist. The theatre was too a popular vaudeville venue. During the Depression, the theatre was purchased by the Shea's Theater visitor. At the end of the silent motion-picture show era in the 1930s, the Wurlitzer Theatre organ went into disuse and busted and was not heard once more until 1944, when it was refurbished. The Riviera was sold to Dipson Theatres and and then to MDA Associates. The theatre inverse hands many more times since then.
In the early 1970s, The Niagara Frontier Theater Organ Society (NFTOS) made an offer to purchase the Wurlitzer organ for a substantial amount, along with the provision the instrument must remain in the theatre. This offer was eventually accepted, the NFTOS endemic the organ and assured its future. The club enhanced the theatre itself with the buy of a huge crystal chandelier that formerly graced the Genesee Theatre in Buffalo. Installed in the Riviera's main dome in January 1974, the chandelier measured ten feet in diameter, 14 anxiety high, contained 15,000 French crystals and had 3 circuits of 35 bulbs each. A smaller chandelier that came from the Park Lane Restaurant of Buffalo was installed in the Riviera's outer foyer at the aforementioned time. Also, added to the stage equipment was a scenic backdrop donated from a Bradford (PA) Theatre. A celebrated chiliad piano was besides caused from the aforementioned theatre at the aforementioned fourth dimension. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 1980.[1] [ii] Changing economics threatened to shutter or destroy the theatre on numerous occasions, but it is now a great source of community pride for residents of the Tonawandas.
Rumor has it that at one point in the 1980s Buffalo-born singer Rick James tried to purchase the theatre for a recording studio. In 1988, the theatre was purchased by the NFTOS, at present named the Riviera Theatre and Organ Preservation Gild, Inc. (RTOPS), a 501(c)three not-profit volunteer arrangement. The theatre was painstakingly restored by volunteers altruistic thousands of hours of labor and has been continuously operated by RTOPS since then under the direction of unlike managers.
The Riviera is most notable for its Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre organ, which was produced in North Tonawanda, one time the home of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. In 2008, the organ was re-voiced and restored to virtually original condition, providing a new symphonic sound for concerts and events. The Riviera'due south Mighty Wurlitzer has provided more entertainment consistently in its original setting than most other Theatre organs, nationwide. Many peak proper name artists, in this state, have performed here in hundreds of concerts over the by 35 years. The Riviera's organ is acclaimed internationally by artist appearances from Europe, Australia, Britain and South America. Several popular organists played their 'first' public concert at the Riviera Theatre. The organ has been televised on several occasions, and several commercial recordings have been made on it.
Present & Future [edit]
In 2014, the theatre's marquee was fully restored and modernized past Flexlume Sign Corp., and Wagner Signs. This included restoring the original paint colors, neon, and flashing lights. In place of the plexiglass letter board, 2 LED video screens now display upcoming events, the content of which was specifically created by the Riviera's blueprint specialist, to imitate the grid and original metallic lettering on the board.
In 2015, like almost movie theaters, the Riviera was forced to upgrade to a Digital Movie house system in order to continue to play films, as 35mm films were phased out. This was made possible by grants and generous community donations. The theatre's new digital cinema organization boasts optimum cinema picture quality and volition keep to deport the Riviera's rich motion picture history for years to come.
Plans are now underway for a capital entrada (Set up The Phase), and 23,000sq.ft. expansion of the theatre to include new production and patron spaces, new larger bathroom facilities, an elevator to the balcony level, besides as expanded lobby, bar, and concession facilities. The $six.1M expansion will as well include a coming together space, rehearsal and black box theatre performance space to incubate arts groups from around the area.
Mission [edit]
The Riviera Theatre and Organ Preservation Order, Inc. is defended to restoring, maintaining, and utilizing the celebrated 1926 Riviera Theatre and its Mighty WurliTzer theatre organ, as a working historic theatre by offering a broad assortment of live musical performances, performing arts, and educational opportunities.
The Riviera Theatre will exist established as the premiere regional destination for live music, performing arts, while beingness preserved as a historic landmark with the most well-maintained, and regularly performing, WurliTzer organ in the nation. To that end, the community of the RTOPS, Inc. recognizes the importance of necessary expansion to increment the civilities that modernistic audiences desire and deserve.
Leadership and Staff [edit]
The Riviera Theatre is owned and operated by the Riviera Theatre & Organ Preservation Society, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. It is led by a Board of Directors who consist of local community leaders and theatre volunteers. The theatre besides boasts a solid roster of hundreds of dedicated volunteers who work countless hours for events as ushers, ticket scanners, box office personnel, concessions workers, cleaners, and organ engineers.
The current professional staff consists of:
- David Fillenwarth - Executive Manager
- Lindsay Pasquantino - Artist Relations & House Manager
- Christopher Mahiques - Controller & Human Resources
- Chuck Antolina - Technical Director
- Derek Heckler - Design Specialist (Marketing/Graphics/Lighting)
- Neal Brodfuehrer - Production Managing director
Gallery [edit]
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One of the two organ chambers for the Riviera's Mighty Wurlitzer.
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A shot of the Riviera'south grand chandelier from straight underneath.
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The Riviera'due south Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ panel. Original to the theatre and built in 1926.
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Fully restored and updated marquee.
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A rare glimpse of the Riviera'southward painted fire drape.
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A detail view of one of the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe chambers.
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Looking down the loge level of the balcony.
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A unique view of the Riviera's house from the phase.
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Exterior, September 2012
Come across also [edit]
- Shea's Buffalo
- North Park Theatre
References [edit]
- ^ a b c "National Annals Data Arrangement". National Annals of Historic Places. National Park Service. July nine, 2010.
- ^ "Cultural Resource Data System (CRIS)" (Searchable database). New York Land Function of Parks, Recreation and Celebrated Preservation. Retrieved 2016-03-01 . Note: This includes Joyce A. Swanka; J. Werick & Claire L. Ross (June 1979). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Riviera Theatre" (PDF) . Retrieved 2016-03-01 . and Accompanying vii photographs
External links [edit]
- Official Website
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riviera_Theatre_%28North_Tonawanda,_New_York%29
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