Riviera Theater (North Tonawanda)
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This is an article about the theater in North Tonawanda, New York. For the theater in Chicago, Illinois, see Riviera Theater
The Riviera Theater is an historic, and still functioning, entertainment venue in North Tonawanda, New York. It is most notable for its Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ, which was produced in North Tonawanda, once the home of the Wurlizer Company.
An historical landmark, the building was constructed in 1926 to much fanfare, and was originally named "The New Rivera." The first films shown were Upstage starring Norma Shearer and The Mona Lisa. The theater was also a populare vaudeville venue. During the Depression, the theater was purchased by the Shea's Theater company. The Wurlizer went into disuse and disrepair and was not heard again until 1944, when it was refurbished. The Riviera was sold to Dipson Theatres and then to MDA Associates. The theater changed hands many more times since then. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April of 1980.
Changing economics have threatened to shutter or destroy the theater on numerous occasions, but it is now a great source of community pride for residents of the Tonawandas.
