North Tonawanda’s historic Riviera Theatre may be more than 80 years old, but recent renovations and planned future additions are breathing life back into the old showplace.
The Riviera is finishing up a round of renovations, and all eyes are focused on larger projects in the future.
“It’s like remodeling a house,” Riviera Theatre Executive Director Frank Cannata said. “Once you get in, you know what you’ve got to do.”
First and foremost among the recent projects was the theater’s Wurlitzer organ, known as “the mighty Wurlitzer.” A crew of four men from Ohio recently spent five weeks in North Tonawanda restoring the organ.
Every one of the organ’s pipes — about 1,200 in all — received work, pipe organ restoration specialist Clark Wilson said. When the organ is played again at a March 5 concert, the old organ will sound new again, Wilson said.
“It will be a sound they’ve not heard in 50 or 60 years,” Wilson said. “The organ is an exemplary instrument. It still shows the fact that it was a demonstration organ.”
The theater’s mural, first painted in 1926, also got a recent touch-up and repainting from artist Steve Rovner.
The ceiling and walls were cleaned, as well as the orchestra pit, which has long been cluttered, according to Cannata.
“So now when we rent the theater, we can have full-scale orchestras to accompany the shows,” he said.
But the theater’s biggest current project is a separate 99-seat black box theater in the building, which has been through the design phase and is entering construction, Cannata said. Black box theaters are rooms, painted black, for smaller shows, Cannata said.
“The black box theaters were designed for a simple production,” Cannata said. “(They) don’t need sound equipment.”
Long-running productions could set up shop in the black box theater, Cannata said. The Riviera is looking for someone to buy naming rights to the theater.
The long-term plans are even more ambitious. The theater hopes to add a new lobby on the other side of the building, and to expand the current dressing rooms and the theater’s cramped restrooms to make them handicap-accessible. Those complete renovations are to cost around $2.5 million, with $900,000 in funding secured thus far, Cannata said.
The expanded dressing rooms will go a long way in getting larger shows to visit the Riviera, Cannata said.
“We already have people calling who are interested in doing their shows here,” Cannata said. “Other promoters in touch with us are anxious to move some shows into our theater.”
There’s a reason the Riviera Theatre is now billing itself as the Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center, said David Bondrow, the theater’s artistic director.
“It’s going to live up to that name,” Bondrow said. “It’s our goal to be at the forefront of entertainment in Western New York.”
The theater is even getting a little help from The Boss. The Riviera will feature a Bruce Springsteen concert on a high-definition screen at 8 p.m. Feb. 29. The Riviera is one of the few places in the country where it can be seen.
“Bruce Springsteen is allowing only certain historic theaters to show this concert and keep all of the proceeds,” Cannata said.
Tickets for the event cost $18 or $20. To reach the Riviera box office, call 692-2413.
Night & Day
Related Photos
NORTH TONAWANDA: Renovations revive Riv
- Night & Day
-
-
Wet and wild love stories at the Aquarium focus of new event
Her name is Pi and while she’s just a teenager, she's already divorced from Tux. Not to worry: She found a new, younger partner named Chile, who is 13 years her junior.
-
Castellani goes back to nature with Betsy Potter
For artist Betsy Potter, a native Western New Yorker, the survival of the natural world is paramount.
-
Tick ... tick ... tick ... for one ‘Valiant’ hour
The clock is ticking for the Theatre in the Mist production company.
As rehearsals unfold for “The Valiant,” opening Friday at Stella Niagara in Lewiston, the director keeps one eye on her cast and the other on her watch. -
NACC seeks sponsors for black history events
Sponsors are being sought for a local Black History Month performance celebrating contributions African-Americans have made to the nation.
-
Open auditions for Artpark’s upcoming Broadway musical
Auditions for the upcoming Artpark production of “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” will be held from 3-7 p.m. Feb. 11 and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 12 at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts studios.
-
A search for Miss Niagara! Contest returns Saturday — with special guest!
Here she comes — Miss Niagara. And Miss New York as well!
Miss Niagara contest organizers received news this week that Miss New York, the recent second runner up in the recent Miss American pageant, has agreed to perform at a Miss Niagara pageant being held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Lockport. -
Local sounds focus of Broadway Joe’s show
On Saturday, Broadway Joe’s will be hosting a night of local sounds as Cowboys of Scotland, Canary Girls, and Jupiter Jefferson will perform in an all-original, all-Buffalo night of alternative music.
-
Kenan hosting inaugural Niagara Wine and Beer Fest
The Kenan Center in Lockport presents the first-ever Niagara Wine and Beer Fest from 5-9 p.m. Saturday at the Kenan Center Arena, 195 Beattie Ave. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Kenan Center and its diverse arts, education, and recreation programs.
-
Ceclia String Quartet performing at Kleinhans
The 88th season of the Buffalo Chamber Music Society continues on Tuesday in the Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans Music Hall with a performance by the Cecilia String Quartet.
-
Head Honchos bringing the blues to Double D’s
Chicago blues-rock party band Head Honchos make their area debut at 9 p.m. Saturday at Double D’s Queen City Grill, 83 Niagara St., Tonawanda.
- More Night & Day Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
