“The Shea” today is an entity in Turners Falls. It’s right there on “The Avenue.” Another of the town’s older buildings still in use as it was planned to be in 1927, when built by Dennis Shea.
My late husband was one of the local school boys who’d line up on Saturday mornings to pay his 5 cents to see the latest cowboy movie — and the cartoons. Perhaps, as a teenager, he took his girlfriend on a movie date for the evening show, but he never told me anything about that.
One night of the week was “Dish Night,” where a movie-goer would acquire a beautiful piece of what is now called Depression glass — pink, yellow or green. I’m sure my husband’s mother and all her female friends would not have missed Dish Night for anything.
In my mother-in-law’s dining room there was a china cabinet with curved glass doors, which held a complete set of delicate pink depression glass.
Sometimes for a family dinner, she’d use certain pieces for serving some of her delicious desserts. I do wish I’d asked her if she’d gotten much of it on Dish Night, but perhaps that would have seemed an impolite question.
Over time, the theater fell into sad disrepair, but in the early 1970s, when my older son was eight or so, he and his buddies would beg now and then for a dime to “go the Shea.” Reluctantly, I’d provide the dime, shuddering to think what might be lurking inside that building. One day, the entire marquee fell to the sidewalk — it had been hanging by a thread for ages — and the building was closed for awhile.
But then in 1972, “those hippies” came to town; like the old nursery rhyme says, “some in rags, some in tags and some in velvet gowns.” Somehow, they acquired the building and as the Renaissance Commune, worked enough magic to create recording studios for various well-known artists. It was quite an excellent set up, and they had a pizza shop on the corner, as well.
Then, after a time, they left.
There was a hiatus — and then a rebirth, of sorts. Local volunteer groups rolled up their collective sleeves and theater groups came on board, including The Country Players, Arena Civic Theater, and a few more.
Bit by bit, the theater came to life — new seating, new lighting, paint, many repairs, hard work and fundraisers; much hard work from many hands.
The first production was “Butterflies are Free.” “The King and I” was a wonderful musical; “Man of La Mancha,” another. The Green Room Players, directed by Ruby Agnir, put on “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
I recall how hot it was before the wonderful advent of air conditioning. That play has a winter setting as you may know, and we walk-ons had to wear winter outfits in every scene, while keeping in character.
The playbills on display in the lobby today show the eclectic mix of productions over the years. Locally, the Shea has hosted talent shows of various types. “Welcome Yule” is an annual holiday event looked forward to by many — those who present it so beautifully and those who fill the theater to capacity for every performance.
The theater goes on, with classes for school children, more activities than you can imagine. It’s a wonderful place, right here in the center of Turners Falls.
Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage.” Montague has the Shea Theater.