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Our Centennial Celebration

Our Centennial Celebration

2025

There is much excitement to be had with our one year countdown to our 100th anniversary: we welcomed a new President and a resident theatre company, announced our Elevate Shea's campaign, and for our 2025-2026 Broadway Season, Shea's has 16,836 subscribers - our third highest total ever! "Shea's remains one of the best one-week subscriber series in the United States," confirmed Albert Nocciolino. "It's always in the top five, and this year could end up in the top two or three."

Patrick Fagan (July 8, 1939 - May 31, 2025)

Patrick Fagan (July 8, 1939 - May 31, 2025)

While many local theater companies have produced shows at Shea's Performing Arts Center, MusicalFare is the first to join us in residence at Shea's 710 Theatre. Their first co-production, <i>Come From Away</i> played to rave reviews and sell-out houses.

Photo Credit: The cast of Come From Away

While many local theater companies have produced shows at Shea's Performing Arts Center, MusicalFare is the first to join us in residence at Shea's 710 Theatre. Their first co-production, Come From Away played to rave reviews and sell-out houses.

"Theater is about the punks and the poets, about the destination and the journey." - Brian Higgins

"Theater is about the punks and the poets, about the destination and the journey." - Brian Higgins

In 2024, Brian Higgins joined Shea's Performing Arts Center as our new President, just in time for our centennial celebration.

Photo Credit: The Buffalo News - November 27, 2023

In 2024, Brian Higgins joined Shea's Performing Arts Center as our new President, just in time for our centennial celebration.

Shea's 710 Theatre

Shea's Buffalo Theatre wasn't the only theater in need of restoration and renovation - our Shea's 710 Theatre underwent a $5 million dollar remodeling to welcome MusicalFare Theatre and to match our new 558 seats installed three years earlier. This is only the first of several projects planned as Shea’s Buffalo Theatre celebrates its 100th anniversary. “As a historic, iconic and anchor institution, Shea’s can be a catalyst in elevating this block as a year-round destination – a goal that benefits the neighborhood, community, and region.” said Brian Higgins.
Our new bar and lobby at Shea's 710 Theatre!

Our new bar and lobby at Shea's 710 Theatre!

Get your Sheabills ready and pour yourself a show-stopping cocktail—preferably in a souvenir theatre cup! With hosts Ken Liszewski, Julianna Tracey, and Rita Sirianni, Shea's Performing Arts Center began producing <a href="https://www.sheas.org/cast-party-podcast/">Cast Party Podcast</a> in 2025 about the drama onstage at Shea's — and what goes on behind the curtain.

Photo Credit: Rachael Fedor

Get your Sheabills ready and pour yourself a show-stopping cocktail—preferably in a souvenir theatre cup! With hosts Ken Liszewski, Julianna Tracey, and Rita Sirianni, Shea's Performing Arts Center began producing Cast Party Podcast in 2025 about the drama onstage at Shea's — and what goes on behind the curtain.

Photo Credit: Rachael Fedor

In honor of our upcoming centennial, Hartman's Distilling Company released a unique edition of their bourbon in collaboration with us - the <b>Shea’s Centennial Blend 285 Special</b>.

Photo Credit: Pictured: Kevin Shanahan, Curtis Cook, Rex Keppel, Christopher Bratek, Sean Flahive, and Rita Sirianni.

In honor of our upcoming centennial, Hartman's Distilling Company released a unique edition of their bourbon in collaboration with us - the Shea’s Centennial Blend 285 Special.

Shea’s Centennial Blend 285 Special

For the entire 2024-2025 Five Star Bank Broadway season, four different barrels of bourbon - 208 gallons - were nestled within the organ chambers of the Mighty Wurlitzer 285 Special, absorbing the rich tones and music of the Shea’s Buffalo Theatre centennial groundbreaking season - infusing every note and acoustic vibration into the charred rye and wheated bourbon barrels themselves.
After a year of aging, the barrels were carefully removed and rolled out of Shea's Buffalo Theatre for bottling - a total of 954 bottles.

After a year of aging, the barrels were carefully removed and rolled out of Shea's Buffalo Theatre for bottling - a total of 954 bottles.

Elevate Shea's - The Next Century of Wonder

With the Elevate Shea's capital campaign, we intend to build a four-story, 20,000-square-foot addition to Shea's Buffalo Theatre that includes:
  • Three Large-Capacity, High-Speed Elevators: Patrons with mobility challenges will be able to reach their seats, restrooms, and gathering spaces comfortably and without barriers.
  • Expanded Public Spaces: New and enlarged lobbies, waiting areas, and circulation paths will ease congestion and provide a more welcoming, relaxed environment for audiences before, during, and after shows.
  • Over Sixty New Bathroom Fixtures: Dramatically increased restroom capacity will reduce wait times and improve convenience for all patrons, particularly during high-capacity performances.
  • New Concession Areas: Additional and modernized concession points will allow for faster service, more offerings, and a smoother experience for patrons seeking food and beverages.
  • New Patio: A new outdoor space extending the theatre experience.
  • New Roof: Safeguard delicate architectural features such as ornate plasterwork, chandeliers, and murals from water damage and deterioration.
A new logo for a new century!

A new logo for a new century!

Speaking of the Mighty Wurlitzer...on any given day here at Shea's, you might hear the our pipe organ being played by organist Curtis Cook! Our organ continues to be beautifully restored by volunteers and professionals like L.A. Peckham & Son Pipe Organ Service, and is currently in the third of seven restoration phases with the goal of being concert-ready again by January 2026.

Speaking of the Mighty Wurlitzer...on any given day here at Shea's, you might hear the our pipe organ being played by organist Curtis Cook! Our organ continues to be beautifully restored by volunteers and professionals like L.A. Peckham & Son Pipe Organ Service, and is currently in the third of seven restoration phases with the goal of being concert-ready again by January 2026.

"I cannot emphasize to you in any stronger terms the 'gold standard' of theater pipe organs that sits in those chambers at Shea's Buffalo. If one were ranking or awarding top honors for the finest-sounding theater organ in the world, Shea's Buffalo would be arguably No. 1, and most certainly top three."

- Ken Double, President Emeritus of American Theatre Organ Society.

"You don't just hear the music, you feel the music, and that is something that is special and unique to Shea's Buffalo Theatre."

- Robert Brunschmid, Chief Operating Officer