The $5 million makeover of the Shea's 710 Theatre passed its first test - and passed it with flying colors.
More than 7,500 tickets were sold for the 18-show run of "Dreamgirls" at the downtown Buffalo theater.
And, the success of "Dreamgirls" has helped set the stage and serves as an example of how the revamped theater can help bring more people back into downtown Buffalo's Theatre District.
"It was a good litmus test," said Brian Higgins, Shea's Performing Arts Center president and CEO.
Shea's 710 Theatre is being anchored by Musicalfare Theatre, who has moved its productions from Amherst into the Theatre District, starting this fall.
With the move, Shea's 710 Theatre will have few, if any, dark nights. Last year, it hosted 215 events or productions but that number may balloon to 365 events, Higgins said.
"It's all about bringing people back downtown," Higgins said.
Shea's 710 Theatre is one of three operated by Shea's that collectively help anchor the Theatre District. Shea's, by itself, averages more than 350,000 patrons and has an annual impact of more than $120 million in downtown Buffalo.
"Our goal, across the board, is to increase those numbers and help downtown grow," Higgins said.