West Herr Performing Arts Center
West Herr Auditorium Theatre / RBTL, 885 E Main St, Rochester, NY 14605
Established in 1930 as a Masonic Temple for the Northeast, the West Herr Performing Arts Center (WHPAC) in Rochester, New York, has evolved into a vibrant cultural hub. Today, it features the 2,500-seat West Herr Auditorium Theatre, a premier venue for touring Broadway shows. The center also includes former ceremonial meeting rooms, soon to be restored into versatile performance spaces. With its stunning architectural design, this historic landmark is prominently located at the corner of East Main and Prince Streets, serving as the gateway to Rochester’s Eastern district. The complex is owned and operated by the Rochester Broadway Theatre League (RBTL).
From the beginning of its transition to an entertainment space, the Auditorium Theatre was the site of numerous touring productions, featuring some of the biggest names in the entertainment business. A number of notable productions took place over the earlier years, and in 1957, an all-volunteer, not-for-profit group calling itself Rochester Broadway Theatre League (RBTL), was formed to bring such productions to Rochester. In 2004, RBTL undertook a major renovation to the Theatre that included the replacement of all the seats (for a capacity of 2,464), new carpeting throughout, upgrades to existing restrooms, as well as the addition of new restroom facilities on the lower level. At the same time, RBTL relocated its business offices and box office from its original downtown location to on-site. Today, the West Herr Auditorium Theatre is home to a full season of touring Broadway (the M&T Bank Broadway Season) and also hosts live concerts and a number of comedy, drama, community and family events each year.
The Theatre and Wurlitzer Organ
The West Herr Auditorium Theatre is the home of a magnificent Wurlitzer 4/23 (opus 1951) theatre organ. The console rises from the orchestra pit, and the sound of 1,619 pipes, trumpets, clarinet, saxophone, drums, shimmering strings, or marimbas emanates from the filigreed proscenium arch surrounding the main stage. The Rochester Theater Organ Society (RTOS) was formed in 1964 to rescue this organ from the luxurious downtown RKO Palace Theater, just before that 2916-seat, luxurious 1928 movie house fell to the wrecking ball of urban renewal in the mid-1960s. A complete history of the RTOS and Opus 1951 Wurlitzer is available on the RTOS website here.
Originally installed in Rochester’s RKO Palace Theatre and premiered in December of 1928. As built the organ was a four manual, 21 rank instrument. As currently installed the instrument has 23 ranks (a second Vox Humana and Post Horn have been added). The complete details and specifications for Opus 1951 is found on the RTOS website.
