Riviera Theatre
Riviera Theatre -
When the Rivera Theatre opened on
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
The Riviera Theatre is listed on the registries of the State and National Historical Landmarks.
"A history of the Riviera Theatre" by Bob Sieben
Photo courtesy of D. B. Gutowski.
Billed as the "Showplace of the Tonawandas", the Riviera Theatre was built during the year 1926, by the Yellen Family. The architects Leon H. Lempart and Son drew the plans, which were patterned after the Italian Renaissance. The interior artwork was painted at the Rochester Studio of Willard M. Lusk, by Ferdinand Kebely.
The Wurlitzer Organ to be installed in the new Theatre, Opus 1524 was shipped from the Wurlitzer Factory on November 19, 1926. Listed as a Model 235 Special, the organ differed from a standard 3 manual 11 rank Model 235, by substituting an Oboe Horn rank of pipes from the standard Salicional pipes usually found on this model. Other differences included the omission of the standard remote Piano, and a 5 H.P. blower instead of the 7-1/2 H.P. The console was painted and decorated to harmonize with the Theatre’s interior, by Wurlitzer’s Band Organ Artist.
For more information on the Riviera Theatre, please visit their official web site HERE.
Credit: Courtesy of Bob Sieben
"Riviera Theatre: Anniversary Celebration" by Barbara Tucker
Being a good neighbor is important to Tim Neal.
Neal, development director of Buffalo Suzuki Strings in North Tonawanda, extended a neighborly hand to the Riviera Theatre, agreeing to host the theater’s Reverse Raffle on Apri1 17. “I feel strongly that a lot of people helped us and it’s time return the favor,” he said.
So when Penny Creasey, co-owner of Hodgepodge and a member of the Friends of the Riviera Theatre, which is organizing the event, approached Neal about using the Buffalo Suzuki Strings, Neal was in favor.
“It just happens that we have no classes these two weeks,” he said. “It’s two of only five weeks during the year that we are closed. This event will also give us publicity and visibility. People who haven’t been in the building since we’ve owned it always say ‘wow’ when they come in.”
Adding to the neighborhood flavor of the event is Skill Buick, corporate sponsor.
John “Butch” Skill Jr., president of the dealership, said his company has been involved with the Riviera Theatre for many years. “Since we opened in 1987, the community has given to us,” he said. “This is just one way we can give back to the community.”
Creasey, whose store is directly across from the theater on Webster Street, said a lot of people visit Hodgepodge because of the Riviera. “One customer came in who had been involved in theater,” she said. “I took her on a little tour of the Riviera and she was very impressed. We often send people over to visit (the theater.)”
Neal agreed with Creasey and said the Buffalo Suzuki Strings, located at Webster and Sweeney streets, brings in 700 to 900 people a week. “We had a lot of options when we were looking for a place of our own,” he said. “But North Tonawanda has a strong cultural base, and we wanted to strengthen the mix.”
Creasey said only 125 tickets will be sold for the Reverse Raffle, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Each numbered ticket is $50 and allows two people to come. During the evening, numbers are drawn with each 10th number winning a $50 prize. When there are only three numbers left, the third prize is $250, the second, $500 and the top prize, $2,500. Consolation drawings also take place.
Refreshments are included, as well as gambling. During the evening, a live auction will feature gifts such as dinner and theater package, tickets to the Black Ties in the Tonawandas featuring impressionist Rich Little, and flowers by Floral Accents.
Jim Kretz, theater manager, said the recent elimination of the old air conditioner has made room for a new dressing room. Proceeds from this event will be used toward this project.
A limited number of tickets are available by calling Diane Krause, 695-2139; Scott Ferron at Skill Buick, 692-4333; Hodgepodge, 694-4715; or the theater, 692-2413.
“We want people to know there are many things to do in town and each of us helps the other,” Creasey said.
Credit: Tonawanda News - April 8, 2004
"Riviera celebrates anniversary in style with gifts" by Barbara Tucker
When the Riviera Theatre and Organ Preservation Society purchased the historic North Tonawanda theater to save it from the wrecking ball in 1989, board members thought they would only have enough money to keep it open for two years.
Sunday night, RTOPS celebrated its 15th anniversary receiving checks for more than $33,000 and a state member initiative for $10,000.
"This is just wonderful," Neil Lange, chairman of the RTOPS board said. "I can't believe all these people would be helping out the theater. I never even dreamed of this in 1989."
Stephen Brady, public affairs manager, and Glynn Matthew account manager for Niagara Mohawk, presented Lange with a check for $25,000 as part of the company's expanded economic development program. "I saw my first movie here," said Brady, a native of North Tonawanda. He noted that the funds will help the Riviera with its electric conversion project.
"The Riviera's a wonderful venue and now it has all the modern equipment it needs to serve the visitors and residents of the Tonawandas."
Peter Sigurdson, project manager for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, presented the theater a check for $7,164 for the installation of energy efficiency measures the theater undertook as part of its two-year Power Project.
"The theater is now warm in the winter and cool in the summer," Lange commented.
Sigurdson told those attending the event that NYSERDA's work includes helping design and construct an energy-efficient building. "We help put the plans together."
State Sen. George Maziarz and state Assemblyman Robin Schimminger chided each other with their reminiscences of the Twin Cities and the theater.
"I have a long list of what tax dollars have been able to provide for the theater since 1997," Schimminger said. "We'll work together to continue our commitment."
Lange said that the two state officials "owned the backstage, scrim, curtains and new curtain weights."
Also taking part in the celebration were Sue Ness, representing First Niagara Bank, which provided a grant for curtains and Tonawanda Mayor Jack Gallagher, who was praised for his constant support of the theater and its events.
Following the presentation, a new plaque was put up on the theater's Wall of Fame in the lobby, denoting the donations of the past year.
Credit: Tonawanda News