Riviera Theatre
Posted by: 
Rayman
N 43° 01.428 W 078° 52.634
17T E 672959 N 4765644
An historic theatre located in downtown North Tonawanda, NY and home of "The Mighty Wurlitzer."
Waymark Code: WMBEX
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 04/27/2006
Views: 29
When the Rivera Theatre opened on December 30, 1926, it was billed as the "Showplace of the Tonawandas." Built by the Yellen family, advance admission for opening night was $1. Lempart and Son, Architects, created the design, patterned after the opulent Italian Renaissance style. The Wurlitzer organ, the "Mighty Wurlitzer," a demonstrator model, was shipped from the Wurlitzer Company on November 26, 1926, and is still in use. The console was painted to harmonize with the theatre’s interior by a Wurlitzer band organ artist. Michael Shea’s company took over management of the theatre in 1930 and changed the name to the Riviera.
The original theatre was decorated with stained glass windows, elaborate tile floors, paintings, and murals. Seating 1,200 people, it was a motion picture house from the day it opened, showing silent movies accompanied by Wurlitzer organ music. Monthly organ concerts kept the theatre going after television replaced movies and the theatre fell into neglect.
The Niagara Frontier Theatre Organ Society acquired the theatre on November 26, 1989, and has worked with the community since to restore the Riviera to its original grandeur. The Society hosts tours and a regular schedule of organ concerts on the Mighty Wurlitzer, as well as movies and live performances.
Street address:
67 Webster Street
North Tonawanda, NY United States
14120
County / Borough / Parish: Niagara
Year listed: 1980
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Periods of significance: 1925-1949
Historic function: Recreation And Culture: Theatre
Current function: Recreation And Culture: Theatre
Privately owned?: yes
Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2006 To: 12/31/2006
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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