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Photos by: Thomas M. Curley
The Burton sisters brought MANNA FROM HEAVEN, their third feature film, back home for a special preview screening at a gala event in Sheas Performing Arts Center, where part of the film was shot.
Hundreds of people from all around packed the theater to see the film, the sisters, and the stars! Besides all of FIVE SISTERS PRODUCTIONS (Maria, Jennifer, Gabrielle, Ursula, and Charity, and their parents, Roger and Gabrielle), Mayor Anthony Masiello, County Executive Joel Giambra, and stars Wendie Malick, Frank Gorshin, and Vincent O’Neill were all in attendance for the festive affair there!
Beginning with a red carpet entrance of the stars, FIVE SISTERS PRODUCTIONS, and special VIPs, the evening kicked off to an elegant start with the crowd dressed to the nines in tuxedos and evening gowns.
Shea’s, originally a movie theater turned stage house, is a gorgeous, meticulously restored work-of-art — now on the national historic register. Bringing out popcorn and sodas, the theater put this black-tie evening in the perfect mood for the feel-good comedy. The technical limitations of the original film projection equipment from the 1950’s were soon forgotten, as the audience got caught up in the film, and the delightful mirroring of the live audience in Shea’s Theater looking at the audience at Shea’s Theater in the movie was a moment of magic.
With an ice sculpture, belly dancers, a smashing band, and excellent food provided by the County, it was a glorious and celebratory screening for the movie and also for Buffalo, with the audience’s enthusiastic reponse to MANNA FROM HEAVEN loving the film and also the film’s inspiring a feeling pride for their beautiful hometown it had captured in the film. After , the huge crowds spilled onto Main Street to enjoy a beautiful warm night of food, drinks, and dancing. Lit up by the klieg lights, Buffalo shone on screen and off. It was a night to remember.
Thanks to the Mayor Anthony Masiello and County Executive Joel Giambra for really knowing how to throw a party!
