LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating Shea's Performing Arts Center in
Buffalo, New York, upon the occasion of its 90th Anniversary

WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution
to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples
cannot be overestimated; and
WHEREAS, The history, the heritage, and the lives of the people of all
countries and all cultures are portrayed in their music and dance; the
art and act of sharing them enriches us altogether; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those illustrious organizations that have brought entertainment
and cultural enrichment to the citizens of the great State of New York;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York, upon the occa-
sion of its 90th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, Shea's Performing Arts Center, formerly known as Shea's
Buffalo Theatre, opened to the public on January 16, 1926, just three
years before the start of the Great Depression; the palatial "Wonder
Theatre" began showing silent movies and staging shows highlighting
stars like the Marx Brothers, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Gracie
Allen; and
WHEREAS, Architects C.W. and George L. Rapp of Chicago designed and
modeled the theater after a European opera house, and Tiffany Studios
created the interior of neo-Spanish Baroque design; and
WHEREAS, Through the years and especially in the 1950s and 1960s,
downtown Buffalo experienced a spiraling decline affecting its movie
theaters and, consequently, many of the theaters were replaced by multi-
plex movie houses located in the suburbs; Loews Corporation purchased
Shea's Buffalo Theatre and continued to show movies, but the beautiful
movie palace had become a shadow of its former glorious self; and
WHEREAS, In December of 1974, the City of Buffalo foreclosed on Shea's
Buffalo Theatre for back taxes; subsequently, the not-for-profit group,
Friends of Buffalo Theater, organized in 1975 to save the former glori-
ous theater from the wrecking ball; and
WHEREAS, Beginning with the theater's Mighty Wurlitzer organ, which
had been neglected for so long that mushrooms were growing in the
organ's chambers, the group worked to restore Shea's Buffalo Theatre
until 1979; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, the Shea's O'Connell Preservation Guild began
management of the building and guided restoration efforts until April of
1999; and
WHEREAS, Since 1999, restoration of Shea's Performing Arts Center has
continued through generous financial support from local government,
foundations and fundraisers; and
WHEREAS, Recent renovations include the return of the marquee and
blade sign, preservation of the original box office and grand lobby and
a new loading dock to help with the enhancement of the technical and
visual aspects of the performances as well as expansion of the original
stage to 50 feet deep; and
WHEREAS, The expansion of the stage has helped to bring some of the
most elaborate and exciting traveling shows to Buffalo, such as "Les
Miserables", "Miss Saigon", and "Phantom of the Opera"; and
WHEREAS, Today, Shea's Performing Arts Center is a vital component of
community events, attracting thousands of theatergoers through its doors

each year; the historic theater has become one of the top grossing one-
week touring Broadway subscription markets in the United States and is
currently Western New York's most financially successful art venue; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we cele-
brate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in
which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression
of the soul; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York, upon the
occasion of its 90th Anniversary, fully confident that it will continue
to enjoy the sparkling success which has so characterized its past; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Shea's Performing Arts Center.