Opening Night!

After two years of planning, renovations, and updates,

the New Angola Theatre opens to great fanfare

Friday, June 27, 2025: The New Angola Theatre reopens after nearly two years of planning. © photo by Steven D. Desmond

In 2024, Buffalo Tales published a feature about the renovation of the New Angola Theatre, and the story immediately went viral, with more than 7000 reads to date.

So when theatre owners Myra Pinker and Gary Cerne invited us to their grand opening last Friday, it was an honor to document the evening.

The theatre, built in 1924, has honored its long history while modernizing and serving a community. We used black-and-white to highlight the historic look of the past.

—Steve Desmond, photographer

all photos © Steven D. Desmond

Angola mayor Tom Whelan, center, greets guests and hands out tickets.

Ned Schwabel cooks hot dogs.

Barb Marino fills a popcorn bin.

Patti Sullivan, left, and Mary Ann Costello, enjoy the evening.

John Dybowski oversees access to the stage and exits.

Theatre owners Myra Pinker. left, and husband Gary Cerne welcome guests.

all photos © Steven D. Desmond

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Steve Desmond is an award-winning photographer. With his son, Francis, he is the author of A Life With A Purpose which raises money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. To view more of Steve's work, search Facebook under "Steve Desmond" and "Desmond's PrimeFocus Photography," or on Instagram at "Stevedesmond9."

Jeff Schober has a journalism degree from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in English and History from the University at Buffalo. He retired from teaching English and Journalism at Frontier High School and is the best-selling author of ten books, including the true crime book Bike Path Rapist with Det. Dennis Delano, and the Buffalo Crime Fiction Quartet. Visit his website at www.jeffschober.com.

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