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The 2010's

The 2010's

Carol Burnett

October 1, 2019

Steve Martin and Martin Short

April 12, 2018

Mariah Carey - Caution World Tour

March 23, 2019

“My job is to bring back any interior sections of the building that have been changed or damaged. Restoration does not mean renovation. You put things back the way they once were to the best of your ability. It’s okay to substitute materials.”

- Doris Collins
Louis Comfort Tiffany's original sketches for a grand drape was never made until 2015 when they were sent to Austria to be custom-made for the Shea's Buffalo stage.

Photo Credit: October 6, 2015

Louis Comfort Tiffany's original sketches for a grand drape was never made until 2015 when they were sent to Austria to be custom-made for the Shea's Buffalo stage.

From top to bottom, there's no part of Shea's Buffalo Theatre that hasn't been restored. But to reach the top, we had to have scaffolding installed to help our volunteers get 110 feet off the ground!

Photo Credit: June 26, 2013

From top to bottom, there's no part of Shea's Buffalo Theatre that hasn't been restored. But to reach the top, we had to have scaffolding installed to help our volunteers get 110 feet off the ground!

Photo Credit: October 6, 2015

Photo Credit: June 26, 2013

Photo Credit: June 19, 2013. Pictured: President Anthony C. Conte and Historic Restoration Consultant Doris Collins

Photo Credit: June 25, 2013

These "dragons" were only discovered in 2014 because the ceilings were so stained by smoke. See if you can find them the next time you are at Shea's Buffalo Theatre!

These "dragons" were only discovered in 2014 because the ceilings were so stained by smoke. See if you can find them the next time you are at Shea's Buffalo Theatre!

"This is an absolute thrill, because we are re-creating history."

Photo Credit: The Buffalo News - August 2, 2014. Pictured: William Mayer, painter.

"This is an absolute thrill, because we are re-creating history."

Photo Credit: The Buffalo News - June 19, 2013. Pictured: Stephanie Morabito, assistant restoration consultant.

All of our lamps and light-bulbs have been hand-dipped into a special glass stain by volunteers to replicate the originals with modern lightning.

All of our lamps and light-bulbs have been hand-dipped into a special glass stain by volunteers to replicate the originals with modern lightning.

“Over the last 30 years Doris has been the driving force behind every perfectly matched crystal, paint, and fabric here at Shea’s,” said President Brian Higgins. “Her recruitment and expert training of restoration volunteers and students has saved Shea’s millions of dollars. Thanks to the meticulous efforts of Doris over the last three decades, visitors today step into this theatre as it was - or I would argue even better than it was - 100 years ago.”

Photo Credit: Steven D. Desmond

“Over the last 30 years Doris has been the driving force behind every perfectly matched crystal, paint, and fabric here at Shea’s,” said President Brian Higgins. “Her recruitment and expert training of restoration volunteers and students has saved Shea’s millions of dollars. Thanks to the meticulous efforts of Doris over the last three decades, visitors today step into this theatre as it was - or I would argue even better than it was - 100 years ago.”

Above the chandeliers are trap doors that can be opened to crank the chandeliers all the way down to the ground for an annual cleaning - the last time was in 2016. Now, Shea's rents a special lift to help us clean the crystals and lights.

Above the chandeliers are trap doors that can be opened to crank the chandeliers all the way down to the ground for an annual cleaning - the last time was in 2016. Now, Shea's rents a special lift to help us clean the crystals and lights.

You might notice that the "W" in Wonder looks odd - it's actually an upside-down "M"! We don't know how or why it was installed like that - was there a shortage of W's in 1926? But as a National Historic Site, Shea's Buffalo Theatre is obligated to maintain our Wonder Theatre exactly as it looked in 1926, letters and all.

Photo Credit: August 30, 2012

You might notice that the "W" in Wonder looks odd - it's actually an upside-down "M"! We don't know how or why it was installed like that - was there a shortage of W's in 1926? But as a National Historic Site, Shea's Buffalo Theatre is obligated to maintain our Wonder Theatre exactly as it looked in 1926, letters and all.

Photo Credit: October 12, 2012

Each of the three large chandeliers in the Grand Lobby requires 86 light bulbs.

Each of the three large chandeliers in the Grand Lobby requires 86 light bulbs.