Community invited to 'Experience the Wonder' at Shea's Buffalo Theatre red carpet gala

Event includes special guest appearance by Tony Award-winner Stephanie J. Block

Shea’s Performing Arts Center Press Release & Graphics

Shea’s Performing Arts Center invites the community to an unforgettable celebration of the performing arts, history, and Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, at the 2025 Shea’s Gala on Friday, June 6.

Highlights of the event include:

√ 5 p.m.: Red carpet arrival, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, silent auction

√ 7 p.m.: The Michael Shea Lifetime Legacy Award presentation

√ 7:15 p.m.: “Experience The Wonder” with a gourmet three-course dinner on the Shea’s Buffalo Theatre main stage, followed by live auction

The evening will also feature a special guest appearance by Stephanie J. Block, recipient of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, as well as winner of The Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Award, for her performance as Star in “The Cher Show.”

Her theater credits are vast, including starring opposite Hugh Jackman in “The Boy From Oz” and most recently starring on Broadway as The Baker’s Wife in the 2022-23 critically acclaimed production of “Into the Woods.” Television credits include: “Bluff City Law” (NBC), “Rise” (NBC), “Madame Secretary” (CBS), “Orange Is the New Black” (Netflix), “Homeland” (Showtime) and “It Could Be Worse” (Hulu). She currently co-hosts and produces “Stages Podcast” with Marylee Fairbanks.

Marco Cercone, who serves as secretary on the Shea’s board of trustees, and his wife, Kari, are serving as chairs of Shea’s Gala 2025. Presenting sponsors of the gala include Rupp Pfalzgraf and Ticketmaster. Additional major sponsors include Rachael Small, The Mosey Family Foundation, Union Concrete and Shea’s Spotlight Committee.

Shea’s has begun a two-year centennial celebration of Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, a National Historic Site, which opened under the moniker “The Wonder Theatre.” Jan. 15 marked the 100-year anniversary of the groundbreaking of the iconic theater. Built in one year and one day, Shea’s Buffalo Theatre officially opened to the public Jan. 16, 1926.

Proceeds from the Shea’s Gala benefit Shea’s Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit three-theater campus committed to the preservation of historic Shea’s Buffalo Theatre and providing a variety of live performing arts entertainment and educational experiences.

Seating is limited. Don’t miss an opportunity to be part of this extraordinary event and help secure the future of Shea’s Buffalo Theatre for the next 100 years. For more information, a full list of sponsors, or to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.sheas.org/gala/.