Rapids Theatre opens in downtown Niagara Falls

by Joshua Maloni
Niagara Frontier Publications, December 5, 2009

If there is a recipe for failure, the Dome Theater had it.

That’s according to John Hutchins and Carl Labate, the owner and general manager/booker of the Rapids Theatre, the new multi-purpose entertainment venue situated in the former Dome, Dome II et al. building at 1711 Main St., Niagara Falls.

The former occupant brought in the wrong types of bands, which brought in the wrong types of crowds. Coupled with a fractured façade and an unsafe neighborhood (or at least the perception thereof), the new management team said it’s no wonder the business failed.

“They specialized in a certain type of concert, which, most of those concerts were starting at midnight or 1 in the morning. It did a lot of damage to the building,” Hutchins said at a news conference on Thursday.

However, after two years of work, the new product is “so far away from the Dome, I can’t even tell you,” Labate said.

“We’ve been working on this the last couple of years,” Hutchins said. “When we took ownership of the building, it was in real rough shape, and we spent a lot of money redoing it.

“As you can see … there’s been extensive restoration work that’s resulted in a beautiful product.”

The building boasts restored moldings, new paint, fixed walls and brand-new, state-of-the-art sound equipment.

What’s more, with the new addition of a neighboring courthouse and police station, “This is actually one of the safest parts of Niagara Falls now,” Hutchins said.

The Rapids Theatre officially reopens this weekend and next with Classic Albums Live presents Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. The “Fab Four” tribute is presented Dec. 5, 11 and 12. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.

In terms of entertainment value, “It will blow you away. … These guys are the best musicians in the country,” Labate said. “They will put on a show that you will not soon forget.”

Labate, who owns the Rochester-based Rainbow Talent Agency, has 40 years of experience as a producer – mainly staging rock shows for other people. Happy to have a home of his own, so to speak, he promises top-notch entertainment at the Rapids Theatre.

“We’re going to have a blast here,” he said.

“You gotta get here to see some of the acts we’re bringing in,” Labate added. “It’s the place to be.”

Future performers will be announced on the theater’s Web site, www.rapidstheatre.com.

Hutchins said the total cost to refurbish the building was $1.8 million. A portion of that money came from the City of Niagara Falls Office of Economic Development – though Hutchins declined to say how much.

The president of Hutch Enterprises said his motivation in purchasing the building stems from his love of his hometown: Niagara Falls.

“We are property developers and investors, and we could be any place. But we want to be here,” Hutchins said. “We want to welcome everyone from Western New York.”

That includes families. Though the Rapids Theatre features a large bar in the center of the concert floor, Labate said there would also be family- and children-oriented programming. Moreover, he said Niagara University and Niagara County Community College may have opportunities to host student events.

Labate said he intends to book both national and regional acts. Once the Rapids Theatre is up and running, and he’s had time to acquire talent, Labate expects to have live entertainment three nights a week.

Hutchins said the days of midnight or later shows are over.

“That’s not going to happen anymore,” he said. “Carl is going to be running first-class, top-shelf entertainment in here.”

“We want to try and create a music scene in Niagara Falls,” Labate said. “We want to try and make that happen again.”

The Rapids Theatre balcony and VIP area can seat 600. Open-floor capacity is 1,500.

For more information, call 205-8925.