410:
club enhanced the theatre itself with the purchase of a huge crystal chandelier that formerly graced the
Genesee Theatre in Buffalo. Installed in the Riviera's main dome in January 1974, the chandelier measured 10 feet in diameter, 14 feet high, contained 15,000 French crystals and had 3 circuits of 35 bulbs each. A smaller chandelier that came from the Park Lane Restaurant of Buffalo was installed in the Riviera's outer lobby at the same time. Also, added to the stage equipment was a scenic backdrop donated from a Bradford (PA) Theatre. A historic grand piano was also acquired from the same theatre at the same time. The building was added to the
517:
793:
553:
211:
236:
577:
529:
589:
541:
493:
505:
565:
45:
1715:
1299:
1319:
1309:
800:
243:
218:
362:. The theatre hosts live concerts, theatre, dance shows, and movies. The Riviera's “Mighty Wurlitzer” theatre organ has been restored, is maintained by volunteers, and is famed as being one of two original Wurlitzer demonstrator organs, which the company would use to show off to potential clients in the height of the silent film era.
448:
Plans are now underway for a capital campaign (Set The Stage), and 23,000sq.ft. expansion of the theatre to include new production and patron spaces, new larger bathroom facilities, an elevator to the balcony level, as well as expanded lobby, bar, and concession facilities. The $ 6.1M expansion will
440:
In 2014, the theatre's marquee was fully restored and modernized by
Flexlume Sign Corp., and Wagner Signs. This included restoring the original paint colors, neon, and flashing lights. In place of the plexiglass letter board, two LED video screens now display upcoming events, the content of which was
409:
In the early 1970s, The
Niagara Frontier Theater Organ Society (NFTOS) made an offer to purchase the Wurlitzer organ for a substantial amount, along with the provision the instrument must remain in the theatre. This offer was eventually accepted, the NFTOS owned the organ and assured its future. The
393:
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
417:
In 1988, the theatre was purchased by the NFTOS, now named the
Riviera Theatre and Organ Preservation Society, Inc. (RTOPS), a 501(c)3 non-profit volunteer organization. The theatre was restored by volunteers and has been continuously operated by RTOPS since then under the direction of different
432:. In 2008, the organ was re-voiced and restored to nearly original condition, providing a new symphonic sound for concerts and events. The Riviera's Mighty Wurlitzer has provided more entertainment consistently in its original setting than most other Theatre organs, nationwide.
1121:
1116:
1204:
1199:
1269:
1749:
1061:
1209:
1111:
1041:
836:
457:
The
Riviera Theatre is owned and operated by the Riviera Theatre & Organ Preservation Society, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. It is led by a Board of Directors who consist of local community leaders and theatre volunteers.
1194:
1101:
1021:
956:
941:
846:
1046:
926:
1086:
1076:
1051:
1036:
1031:
981:
921:
916:
896:
881:
876:
871:
866:
856:
821:
730:
1769:
1128:
1071:
1066:
996:
986:
971:
946:
906:
861:
851:
1223:
1096:
1091:
1056:
1011:
1006:
1001:
991:
976:
961:
951:
911:
901:
841:
831:
816:
444:
In 2015, like most movie theaters, the
Riviera was forced to upgrade to a Digital Cinema system in order to continue to play films, as 35mm films were phased out. This was made possible by grants and community donations.
1233:
1161:
1133:
1106:
1081:
936:
891:
886:
516:
1214:
1243:
1238:
1228:
666:
1248:
1253:
1156:
1302:
1179:
1151:
1016:
1584:
1184:
1026:
723:
1754:
402:. At the end of the silent movie era in the 1930s, the Wurlitzer Theatre organ went into disuse and disrepair and was not heard again until 1944, when it was refurbished. The Riviera was sold to
1189:
1169:
966:
826:
1312:
1174:
931:
716:
1759:
414:
in April 1980. Changing economics threatened to shutter or destroy the theatre on numerous occasions, but it is now a great source of community pride for residents of the
Tonawandas.
394:
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. The theatre was also a popular
1277:
1355:
782:
772:
265:
235:
210:
1611:
1282:
552:
1634:
373:
A local landmark and movie house, the theatre was constructed in 1926 to much fanfare, and was originally named "The New Rivera." The first films shown were
1594:
1391:
1376:
1322:
1739:
1457:
492:
1695:
1447:
1568:
1348:
767:
1414:
576:
1646:
1685:
1606:
1579:
1462:
504:
739:
640:
411:
390:
192:
1484:
1744:
1467:
1439:
1419:
1764:
1680:
1341:
528:
1629:
540:
564:
399:
449:
also include a meeting space, rehearsal and black box theatre performance space to incubate arts groups from around the area.
1563:
1424:
588:
1668:
1663:
1653:
1641:
1522:
441:
specifically created by the
Riviera's design specialist, to imitate the grid and original metal lettering on the board.
1718:
1675:
1558:
1479:
1690:
1658:
1429:
698:
683:
429:
359:
64:
1589:
1517:
1532:
1409:
1537:
1512:
1404:
762:
1507:
777:
757:
708:
645:
1527:
1318:
1452:
610:
17:
522:
The Riviera's Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ console. Original to the theatre and built in 1926.
1700:
1399:
1365:
605:
365:
The Riviera Theatre is listed on the National and New York State Register of Historic Places.
1542:
1381:
743:
99:
1601:
403:
31:
1573:
44:
334:
30:
This article is about the theatre in North Tonawanda. For the theatre in Chicago, see
1733:
425:
386:
378:
68:
406:
and then to MDA Associates. The theatre changed hands many more times since then.
1491:
395:
280:
267:
1333:
422:
389:
installed in the theatre: Opus 1524 was shipped from the nearby (4 mi)
799:
684:"National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Riviera Theatre"
27:
Music venue and movie theater in North Tonawanda, New York, United States
1750:
Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in New York (state)
1474:
667:
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
242:
217:
635:
498:
One of the two organ chambers for the Riviera's Mighty Wurlitzer.
1770:
National Register of Historic Places in Niagara County, New York
1585:
University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
398:
venue. During the Depression, the theatre was purchased by the
168:
1337:
712:
477:
Derek Heckler - Design Specialist (Marketing/Graphics/Lighting)
428:, which was produced in North Tonawanda, once the home of the
682:
Joyce A. Swanka; J. Werick & Claire L. Ross (June 1979).
659:
558:
A detail view of one of the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe chambers.
468:
Lindsay Pasquantino - Artist Relations & House Manager
471:
Christopher Mahiques - Controller & Human Resources
1755:
Buildings and structures in Niagara County, New York
1622:
1551:
1500:
1438:
1390:
1262:
1142:
807:
773:
History of the National Register of Historic Places
750:
510:
A shot of the Riviera's chandelier from underneath.
340:
327:
319:
304:
296:
259:
161:
153:
145:
137:
129:
124:
116:
108:
98:
90:
86:
Rivera Theatre and Organ Preservation Society, Inc.
82:
74:
58:
358:is a historic, 1140 seat entertainment venue in
1760:Tourist attractions in Niagara County, New York
1612:Mount St. Mary's Hospital & Health Center
1349:
724:
660:"Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)"
582:A view of the Riviera's house from the stage.
8:
1595:Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute
461:The current professional staff consists of:
37:
1323:National Register of Historic Places Portal
570:Looking down the loge level of the balcony.
421:The Riviera is most notable for its Mighty
1356:
1342:
1334:
1308:
731:
717:
709:
43:
36:
1448:Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
740:U.S. National Register of Historic Places
193:U.S. National Register of Historic Places
1569:Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
622:
488:
636:"National Register Information System"
630:
628:
626:
465:David Fillenwarth - Executive Director
480:Neal Brodfuehrer - Production Manager
7:
641:National Register of Historic Places
412:National Register of Historic Places
546:The Riviera's painted fire curtain.
534:Fully restored and updated marquee.
474:Chuck Antolina - Technical Director
1580:John R. Oishei Children's Hospital
25:
1740:Concert halls in New York (state)
18:Riviera Theater (North Tonawanda)
1714:
1713:
1576:(Buffalo General Medical Center)
1317:
1307:
1298:
1297:
798:
791:
587:
575:
563:
551:
539:
527:
515:
503:
491:
241:
234:
216:
209:
1564:Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
700:Accompanying seven photographs
329:
1:
1523:Bryant & Stratton College
250:Show map of the United States
1274:National Historic Landmarks
1607:Sisters of Charity Hospital
323:Lambert, Leon H.,& Sons
1786:
1745:Theatres completed in 1926
1559:Erie County Medical Center
49:Riviera Theatre Auditorium
29:
1765:North Tonawanda, New York
1709:
1372:
1293:
789:
430:Rudolph Wurlitzer Company
360:North Tonawanda, New York
348:
328:NRHP reference
203:
199:
190:
183:
179:
166:
65:North Tonawanda, New York
54:
42:
1590:Gates Vascular Institute
1518:Buffalo State University
1027:Richmond (Staten Island)
594:Exterior, September 2012
300:0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
1552:Medicine and healthcare
1485:Exchange Street station
1392:Government and services
391:Wurlitzer Organ Factory
149:Leon H. Lempart and Son
1538:Erie Community College
1513:Buffalo Public Schools
1501:Research and education
763:Keeper of the Register
400:Shea's Theater company
120:Performing Arts Center
1533:D'Youville University
1508:University at Buffalo
1468:Niagara Falls airport
1283:Outside New York City
778:National Park Service
758:Contributing property
663:(Searchable database)
646:National Park Service
281:43.02389°N 78.87722°W
1696:Parks and recreation
1686:Notable Buffalonians
967:New York (Manhattan)
453:Leadership and Staff
436:Present & Future
225:Show map of New York
1528:Canisius University
1270:Bridges and tunnels
286:43.02389; -78.87722
277: /
39:
1458:Bus transit center
611:North Park Theatre
1727:
1726:
1635:tallest buildings
1366:Buffalo, New York
1331:
1330:
768:Historic district
352:
351:
133:December 30, 1926
16:(Redirected from
1777:
1717:
1716:
1543:Trocaire College
1382:Western New York
1358:
1351:
1344:
1335:
1321:
1311:
1310:
1301:
1300:
932:Kings (Brooklyn)
802:
795:
794:
733:
726:
719:
710:
703:
696:
694:
693:
688:
676:
674:
673:
664:
656:
650:
649:
632:
591:
579:
567:
555:
543:
531:
519:
507:
495:
331:
315:
313:
292:
291:
289:
288:
287:
282:
278:
275:
274:
273:
270:
251:
245:
244:
238:
226:
220:
219:
213:
175:
172:
170:
47:
40:
21:
1785:
1784:
1780:
1779:
1778:
1776:
1775:
1774:
1730:
1729:
1728:
1723:
1705:
1618:
1602:Catholic Health
1547:
1496:
1463:Buffalo airport
1434:
1386:
1368:
1362:
1332:
1327:
1289:
1258:
1210:Above 110th St.
1144:
1138:
809:
803:
797:
796:
792:
787:
746:
737:
707:
706:
691:
689:
686:
681:
671:
669:
662:
658:
657:
653:
648:. July 9, 2010.
634:
633:
624:
619:
602:
595:
592:
583:
580:
571:
568:
559:
556:
547:
544:
535:
532:
523:
520:
511:
508:
499:
496:
487:
455:
438:
404:Dipson Theatres
371:
356:Riviera Theatre
311:
309:
285:
283:
279:
276:
271:
268:
266:
264:
263:
255:
254:
253:
252:
249:
248:
247:
246:
229:
228:
227:
224:
223:
222:
221:
195:
186:
185:Riviera Theatre
171:.rivieratheatre
167:
67:
63:
50:
38:Riviera Theatre
35:
32:Riviera Theatre
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1783:
1781:
1773:
1772:
1767:
1762:
1757:
1752:
1747:
1742:
1732:
1731:
1725:
1724:
1722:
1721:
1710:
1707:
1706:
1704:
1703:
1698:
1693:
1688:
1683:
1678:
1673:
1672:
1671:
1661:
1656:
1651:
1650:
1649:
1639:
1638:
1637:
1626:
1624:
1620:
1619:
1617:
1616:
1615:
1614:
1609:
1599:
1598:
1597:
1592:
1587:
1582:
1577:
1574:Kaleida Health
1571:
1561:
1555:
1553:
1549:
1548:
1546:
1545:
1540:
1535:
1530:
1525:
1520:
1515:
1510:
1504:
1502:
1498:
1497:
1495:
1494:
1489:
1488:
1487:
1482:
1472:
1471:
1470:
1465:
1460:
1455:
1444:
1442:
1440:Transportation
1436:
1435:
1433:
1432:
1427:
1422:
1417:
1412:
1407:
1405:Common Council
1402:
1396:
1394:
1388:
1387:
1385:
1384:
1379:
1373:
1370:
1369:
1363:
1361:
1360:
1353:
1346:
1338:
1329:
1328:
1326:
1325:
1315:
1305:
1294:
1291:
1290:
1288:
1287:
1286:
1285:
1280:
1272:
1266:
1264:
1260:
1259:
1257:
1256:
1251:
1246:
1241:
1236:
1231:
1226:
1221:
1220:
1219:
1218:
1217:
1212:
1207:
1205:59th–110th St.
1202:
1197:
1195:Below 14th St.
1187:
1182:
1177:
1172:
1166:New York City
1164:
1159:
1154:
1148:
1146:
1140:
1139:
1137:
1136:
1131:
1126:
1125:
1124:
1119:
1109:
1104:
1099:
1094:
1089:
1084:
1079:
1074:
1069:
1064:
1059:
1054:
1049:
1044:
1039:
1034:
1029:
1024:
1019:
1014:
1009:
1004:
999:
994:
989:
984:
979:
974:
969:
964:
959:
954:
949:
944:
939:
934:
929:
924:
919:
914:
909:
904:
899:
894:
889:
884:
879:
874:
869:
864:
859:
854:
849:
844:
839:
834:
829:
824:
819:
813:
811:
805:
804:
790:
788:
786:
785:
783:Property types
780:
775:
770:
765:
760:
754:
752:
748:
747:
738:
736:
735:
728:
721:
713:
705:
704:
680:This includes
651:
621:
620:
618:
615:
614:
613:
608:
606:Shea's Buffalo
601:
598:
597:
596:
593:
586:
584:
581:
574:
572:
569:
562:
560:
557:
550:
548:
545:
538:
536:
533:
526:
524:
521:
514:
512:
509:
502:
500:
497:
490:
486:
483:
482:
481:
478:
475:
472:
469:
466:
454:
451:
437:
434:
385:The Wurlitzer
383:The Mona Lisa.
370:
367:
350:
349:
346:
345:
344:March 20, 1980
342:
338:
337:
332:
325:
324:
321:
317:
316:
306:
302:
301:
298:
294:
293:
261:
257:
256:
240:
239:
233:
232:
231:
230:
215:
214:
208:
207:
206:
205:
204:
201:
200:
197:
196:
191:
188:
187:
184:
181:
180:
177:
176:
164:
163:
159:
158:
155:
151:
150:
147:
143:
142:
139:
135:
134:
131:
127:
126:
122:
121:
118:
114:
113:
110:
106:
105:
102:
96:
95:
92:
88:
87:
84:
80:
79:
76:
72:
71:
62:67 Webster St.
60:
56:
55:
52:
51:
48:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1782:
1771:
1768:
1766:
1763:
1761:
1758:
1756:
1753:
1751:
1748:
1746:
1743:
1741:
1738:
1737:
1735:
1720:
1712:
1711:
1708:
1702:
1699:
1697:
1694:
1692:
1689:
1687:
1684:
1682:
1681:Neighborhoods
1679:
1677:
1674:
1670:
1667:
1666:
1665:
1662:
1660:
1657:
1655:
1652:
1648:
1645:
1644:
1643:
1640:
1636:
1633:
1632:
1631:
1628:
1627:
1625:
1621:
1613:
1610:
1608:
1605:
1604:
1603:
1600:
1596:
1593:
1591:
1588:
1586:
1583:
1581:
1578:
1575:
1572:
1570:
1567:
1566:
1565:
1562:
1560:
1557:
1556:
1554:
1550:
1544:
1541:
1539:
1536:
1534:
1531:
1529:
1526:
1524:
1521:
1519:
1516:
1514:
1511:
1509:
1506:
1505:
1503:
1499:
1493:
1490:
1486:
1483:
1481:
1480:Depew station
1478:
1477:
1476:
1473:
1469:
1466:
1464:
1461:
1459:
1456:
1454:
1451:
1450:
1449:
1446:
1445:
1443:
1441:
1437:
1431:
1428:
1426:
1423:
1421:
1418:
1416:
1413:
1411:
1408:
1406:
1403:
1401:
1398:
1397:
1395:
1393:
1389:
1383:
1380:
1378:
1375:
1374:
1371:
1367:
1359:
1354:
1352:
1347:
1345:
1340:
1339:
1336:
1324:
1320:
1316:
1314:
1306:
1304:
1296:
1295:
1292:
1284:
1281:
1279:
1278:New York City
1276:
1275:
1273:
1271:
1268:
1267:
1265:
1261:
1255:
1252:
1250:
1247:
1245:
1242:
1240:
1237:
1235:
1232:
1230:
1227:
1225:
1224:Niagara Falls
1222:
1216:
1215:Minor islands
1213:
1211:
1208:
1206:
1203:
1201:
1200:14th–59th St.
1198:
1196:
1193:
1192:
1191:
1188:
1186:
1185:Staten Island
1183:
1181:
1178:
1176:
1173:
1171:
1168:
1167:
1165:
1163:
1160:
1158:
1155:
1153:
1150:
1149:
1147:
1141:
1135:
1132:
1130:
1127:
1123:
1120:
1118:
1115:
1114:
1113:
1110:
1108:
1105:
1103:
1100:
1098:
1095:
1093:
1090:
1088:
1085:
1083:
1080:
1078:
1075:
1073:
1070:
1068:
1065:
1063:
1060:
1058:
1055:
1053:
1050:
1048:
1045:
1043:
1040:
1038:
1035:
1033:
1030:
1028:
1025:
1023:
1020:
1018:
1015:
1013:
1010:
1008:
1005:
1003:
1000:
998:
995:
993:
990:
988:
985:
983:
980:
978:
975:
973:
970:
968:
965:
963:
960:
958:
955:
953:
950:
948:
945:
943:
940:
938:
935:
933:
930:
928:
925:
923:
920:
918:
915:
913:
910:
908:
905:
903:
900:
898:
895:
893:
890:
888:
885:
883:
880:
878:
875:
873:
870:
868:
865:
863:
860:
858:
855:
853:
850:
848:
845:
843:
840:
838:
835:
833:
830:
828:
825:
823:
820:
818:
815:
814:
812:
806:
801:
784:
781:
779:
776:
774:
771:
769:
766:
764:
761:
759:
756:
755:
753:
749:
745:
741:
734:
729:
727:
722:
720:
715:
714:
711:
702:
701:
685:
679:
668:
661:
655:
652:
647:
643:
642:
637:
631:
629:
627:
623:
616:
612:
609:
607:
604:
603:
599:
590:
585:
578:
573:
566:
561:
554:
549:
542:
537:
530:
525:
518:
513:
506:
501:
494:
489:
484:
479:
476:
473:
470:
467:
464:
463:
462:
459:
452:
450:
446:
442:
435:
433:
431:
427:
426:Theatre organ
424:
419:
415:
413:
407:
405:
401:
397:
392:
388:
387:Theatre organ
384:
380:
379:Norma Shearer
376:
368:
366:
363:
361:
357:
347:
343:
341:Added to NRHP
339:
336:
333:
326:
322:
318:
307:
303:
299:
295:
290:
262:
258:
237:
212:
202:
198:
194:
189:
182:
178:
174:
165:
160:
157:Yellen Family
156:
152:
148:
144:
140:
136:
132:
128:
123:
119:
115:
111:
107:
103:
101:
97:
93:
89:
85:
81:
77:
73:
70:
69:United States
66:
61:
57:
53:
46:
41:
33:
19:
1630:Architecture
1623:Other topics
1234:Poughkeepsie
1162:New Rochelle
1062:St. Lawrence
699:
690:. Retrieved
677:
670:. Retrieved
654:
639:
460:
456:
447:
443:
439:
420:
416:
408:
382:
374:
372:
364:
355:
353:
138:Years active
125:Construction
94:Movie Palace
1263:Other lists
1112:Westchester
1042:Schenectady
837:Cattaraugus
284: /
260:Coordinates
117:Current use
1734:Categories
1492:Erie Canal
1453:Metro Rail
1377:Metro area
1102:Washington
1022:Rensselaer
957:Montgomery
942:Livingston
847:Chautauqua
692:2016-03-01
672:2016-03-01
617:References
418:managers.
396:vaudeville
272:78°52′38″W
78:Street/Lot
1647:festivals
1400:City Hall
1244:Rochester
1239:Rhinebeck
1229:Peekskill
1190:Manhattan
1047:Schoharie
927:Jefferson
810:by county
423:Wurlitzer
377:starring
320:Architect
269:43°1′26″N
146:Architect
1719:Category
1669:timeline
1364:City of
1303:Category
1249:Syracuse
1175:Brooklyn
1122:Southern
1117:Northern
1087:Tompkins
1077:Sullivan
1052:Schuyler
1037:Saratoga
1032:Rockland
982:Onondaga
922:Herkimer
917:Hamilton
897:Franklin
882:Dutchess
877:Delaware
872:Cortland
867:Columbia
857:Chenango
822:Allegany
744:New York
600:See also
335:80002731
100:Capacity
1664:History
1654:Economy
1642:Culture
1415:Library
1254:Yonkers
1157:Buffalo
1145:by city
1129:Wyoming
1072:Suffolk
1067:Steuben
997:Orleans
987:Ontario
972:Niagara
947:Madison
907:Genesee
862:Clinton
852:Chemung
485:Gallery
375:Upstage
369:History
310: (
162:Website
154:Builder
109:Screens
75:Parking
59:Address
1701:Sports
1475:Amtrak
1430:Police
1420:Mayors
1180:Queens
1152:Albany
1097:Warren
1092:Ulster
1057:Seneca
1017:Queens
1012:Putnam
1007:Otsego
1002:Oswego
992:Orange
977:Oneida
962:Nassau
952:Monroe
912:Greene
902:Fulton
842:Cayuga
832:Broome
817:Albany
751:Topics
130:Opened
1676:Media
1425:Parks
1170:Bronx
1143:Lists
1134:Yates
1107:Wayne
1082:Tioga
937:Lewis
892:Essex
827:Bronx
808:Lists
687:(PDF)
678:Note:
305:Built
104:1,140
83:Owner
1691:Seal
1659:Flag
1410:Fire
1313:List
887:Erie
697:and
381:and
354:The
312:1926
308:1926
297:Area
173:.org
91:Type
742:in
330:No.
169:www
1736::
665:.
644:.
638:.
625:^
141:90
1357:e
1350:t
1343:v
732:e
725:t
718:v
695:.
675:.
314:)
112:1
34:.
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
