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  • 5/5 Kevin M. 1 year ago on Google
    Incredibly beautiful theater in the great heart of the city Theater district. Get some class and taste a glass as the service and circumstance is pleasing to the palate. Helpful staff and ushers accommodating your needs as a patron of the arts.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 How it is L. 5 months ago on Google
    Shea's Buffalo Theatre is one of Buffalo's greatest treasures!! This historic theatre is absolutely magnificent throughout. It rivals some of the most famous theatres on Broadway! I have had the great fortune of being a season ticket holder in the past, enjoying countless shows over the past two decades. Every visit has been memorable in its own way. Every show is a high-quality production. They have a beautiful lobby selling snacks, drinks, and merchandise. They also have a wonderful bistro and bar down the hallway towards the back of the theatre, offering food and cocktails. This presentation of Mrs Doubtfire on this visit was fantastic! Another fabulous evening at Shea's. It's definitely a must-see destination while visiting Buffalo New York!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cat in the H. 9 months ago on Google
    I recently saw a show at Shea's Buffalo Theater, and I was blown away by the beauty and grandeur of the theater. The architecture and decor are absolutely stunning, and the acoustics are fantastic. The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly, and the seats were comfortable and provided great views of the stage. I appreciated the variety of shows available, and the theater's location in downtown Buffalo made it easy to explore the city before and after the show. Overall, I would highly recommend Shea's Buffalo Theater to anyone looking for a memorable theater experience. It's definitely one of the best theaters I've ever been to!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Don N. 4 months ago on Google
    Saw Chris Rock here last year. Was a great venue. Classic style and great staff. Fine place to go for a show. One of the best theatre’s around!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zack S. 5 months ago on Google
    I recently had the pleasure of attending the 43 North finals at Shea's Performing Arts Center, an event that not only highlighted the bright future of Buffalo’s entrepreneurs but also paid homage to the city's rich cultural heritage embodied by this historic venue. From its inception in 1926, Shea's Performing Arts Center has been a jewel in Buffalo’s crown. Originally called "Shea's Buffalo," it was part of the dream of Michael Shea, a visionary who wanted to create a lavish movie theater in the heart of the city. Designed by the renowned architectural firm Rapp and Rapp, the theater reflects a Spanish Baroque style with intricate details, grandiose furnishings, and a beautifully adorned ceiling that takes your breath away. It was a delight to see how these elements have been meticulously preserved, offering a glimpse into the glamorous era of the Roaring Twenties. As I walked through the grand lobby, with its ornate decor and stunning chandeliers, I felt transported back in time. The theater's rich history as a premier destination for silent films, vaudeville performances, and now as a hub for Broadway productions and significant events like the 43 North finals, was palpable in every corner. The 43 North event itself was a perfect blend of past and present. Surrounded by the theater's historic splendor, the energy of innovation and entrepreneurship was electrifying. The stage, which once hosted legends like George Burns and the Marx Brothers, became a platform for the future's visionaries. The excellent acoustics and state-of-the-art lighting enhanced each presentation, making it a memorable experience for everyone present. Throughout the evening, the staff at Shea's demonstrated why this venue has been a beloved part of Buffalo for almost a century. Their professionalism and warmth added a personal touch to the grandeur of the environment. In conclusion, Shea's Performing Arts Center is not just a building; it's a living piece of Buffalo's history, continually evolving while retaining its historic charm. Attending an event like the 43 North finals here was not just about witnessing the birth of new companies but also about experiencing a part of Buffalo's soul. This night at Shea's will be etched in my memory as a testament to the city's enduring spirit and its promising future.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Bill G. 10 months ago on Google
    Beautiful old theatre. Be aware that if you are not in the front row at a music show people may obscure your view by dancing and having a good time. Stay home if you don’t like having fun. But maybe not because the ushers aren’t fun either and will tell you to sit down at an f’n rock concert!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abhinav 2 years ago on Google
    One of the best theatres I’ve ever been to. The ambience of this place is very well thought of. The seats are well placed and the view is great even from the balcony. The interiors are great. The sound system is impeccable and the clarity is spot on. You wouldn’t miss a beat. The place could use more washrooms as the lines get long during the intermissions.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Beverly M. 1 year ago on Google
    The seats are very small and lower to the floor. Updating the seats would make for a more enjoyable eveing. Other then the seat was a great night. Very friendly staff and clean floors and washroom. Love the old theater feel just not the seats.

  • 5/5 Lynnette P. 4 months ago on Google
    Just went to see the production of Annie and it was fantastic! Loved everything about it and our seats were excellent.

  • 4/5 Noel M. 5 months ago on Google
    Beautiful venue! The architecture is sublime. I've seen a few shows here and my only qualm is that the sound never seems balanced. There seems to be such an echo inherent to the place that it's unfortunately hard to properly hear the acts, I've noticed. Quieter moments don't seem to be as bad but since modern acts obviously all use a p.a. system, the issue is all too prevalent. I don't want it to reflect badly upon the acts that perform here. I suspect it's that this theater was built at a time when modern amplification wasn't a thing and so back then the acoustics were probably very appropriate. Gorgeous theater though....I cannot emphasize that enough. It's always a joy to be in such a beautiful space.

  • 4/5 Mark D. 3 months ago on Google New
    A really lovely theater that provides great views from most any seat. My only complaint, and this may have to do with the age of the theater, is that the actual seats themselves are rather small and the rows are very close-set. Still, a very nice place to catch a show

  • 5/5 Michael S. 4 months ago on Google
    Absolutely gorgeous theater, with phenomenal shows! One of my favorite spots in all of Buffalo! Great views whether from the balcony or the orchestra level, although the upper half of the balcony gets a bit tough to see everything going on on the stage. I highly recommend catching a show here if you’ve never been!

  • 5/5 Michele P. 4 months ago on Google
    Shea's never disappoints... This time was Lindsey Stirling, and it was absolutely phenomenal. Thank you for such a gorgeous, classy theatre with breathtaking shows and wonderfully helpful people.

  • 5/5 Amee L. 11 months ago on Google
    Loved the show! SIX. Had good seats. Got them exchanged from balcony to floor level by manager due to no elevator in building. Nice refreshments. Took bottled water in to seats. Ok comfort for older theater. Beautiful inside! Parked across street 3 hours for $18.

  • 5/5 Linda J. 10 months ago on Google
    We went to see Jagged Little Pill and it was phenomenal! It touched on so many topics of today's society. Powerful, moving, emotional, funny. "YOU OUGHTA KNOW" was the bomb! We loved it 💗

  • 5/5 Crux The Champion of D. 1 year ago on Google
    Saw Beetlejuice The Musical with my friends and it was a beautiful theater! Amazing architecture and a very well laid out floor plan that was built perfectly so everyone would have a good view of the stage no matter where you were sitting.

  • 5/5 Bogdan 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely wonderful time at Shea's for the Nutcracker! The Neglia Ballet did an amazing job putting on this performance! Shea's looked so good for the Christmas Season! 🎄

  • 5/5 Aaron G. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful theater! Our seats were terrific. The sound was really great. Can't wait to go back!!

  • 4/5 Paul C. 1 year ago on Google
    Been here for many events. Latest was Bert's stand up. Entering to come in for a 930 event was not great with the doors not opening until 930 roughly, but building it self was great atmosphere and ushers were very helpful on balcony

  • 3/5 Corrin M. 1 year ago on Google
    This theater has great sound, but it's very outdated and the seating could not be more cramped. The customer experience compared to the prices you pay for tickets deserves a revamp. All that money could be used to at least update the seating. But, Overall, the decor is stunning.

  • 5/5 Capi 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing. The place is beautiful inside. The acoustic are amazing.

  • 5/5 Suyash Kumar R. 1 year ago on Google
    The theatre is magnificent. Didn't go there for a musical but for 43 North Finals, had a really great experience. The architecture, lighting and ambience is what makes this place a must visit!!

  • 5/5 Rhonda Z. 1 year ago on Google
    What a beautiful venue the inside is absolutely gorgeous .we enjoyed our function . Would go back at another time for sure.

  • 5/5 david y. 2 years ago on Google
    Had an amazing balcony seat for a performance of Riverdance the 25th Anniversary. We parked within 2 blocks on the street for free. We had a few candy's in my wife's purse and enjoyed them throughout the show with no problem whatsoever. Overall a very nice experience. I would absolutely go to Shae's Theatre again.

  • 5/5 Jim C. 2 years ago on Google
    A classic theater from days gone that recently completed a major renovation project. A must see interior that host many live performances as close to Broadway as you can get.

  • 1/5 Sare Liz A. 1 year ago on Google
    If a person cannot actually fit into the seat of the theater, nothing else matters. Not the friendliness of the ushers. Not excellence of the production. Not the beauty of the surrounds. The seats of the balcony, where we sat, were all uniformly the same size with arm rests attached to solid metal dividers. The seats were approximately eighteen inches wide. (I didn't bring a tape measure, but we did some experimentation once home, and at absolute most the seats measured twenty inches wide, but likely closer to 18".) People who carry more weight below their waist than above will be uncomfortable. Any plus sized person who is a size 2X or greater simply will not be able to sit in their seat. There was the occasional seat with no seat in front of it, which would provide sudden legroom randomly placed. But the standard legroom was not enough for anyone over six feet. People approaching six feet would be uncomfortable. I cannot speak to the seats on the main floor, but in the balcony (accessible by many shallow stairs, and so quite navigable for most people not on wheels), there was absolutely zero accommodation for anyone who was tall or large. No larger spaces, no folding chairs. Perhaps you could snag an empty seat mid-performance with double legroom, or you could stand to the side of the walkways, blocking emergency exits, which brings its own ethical problems. I had plans to attend another performance there next month, which I will now need to cancel. I would have liked to see it, but not if the entire experience will be as miserable as last night's. Clearly, tall people and large people are not actually welcome at Shea's, so be aware, when you make your plans. It is not as accessible as it might seem.

  • 5/5 Bob W. 1 year ago on Google
    Went there for a concert. Fantastic venue and bldg. Very well run. Look forward to going again.

  • 5/5 Jay B. 1 year ago on Google
    Shea's is a lovely old theatre but they actually have comfortable seats, unlike some other old theatres I've been to (cough cough Rochester Auditorium Theatre cough cough). Wide enough for my overweight butt and cushioned and enough leg space, more than other old theatres. Not La-Z-Boy comfortable, but good for such a place. Concessionaires were very friendly and helpful, as were ushers. I recommend.


Call (716) 847-0850 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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