Getting a second with Sphere owner Joe Guagliardo (also known as Joey Marcella) is difficult, as he is involved in every detail at the new Sphere Entertainment Complex. For Guagliardo, it's his way or not at all.
"I'm anal retentive," he said. "See that mirror over there? Somehow it got dirty, and it's driving me insane!"
Walking into Sphere at 1:30 in the afternoon offers quite the sight. Among the crew of people bustling around, other than Guagliardo, is his interior designer, Ben Kuhns, who works at the florist "Season's." Kuhns and his assistant are putting together the small vases of purple calla lilies and votive candles for the dining tables along with large arrangements for each room.
Formerly owned by UB, the old Pfeiffer Theatre on Main Street has been transformed into an amazing complex, thanks to Guagliardo and Kuhns.
"This theatre chose me," said Guagliardo. "I felt an amazing force that wanted me to have this place. I fell in love with it and believed in it from the start."
His love for the space is apparent in the work that he has put into it. The Pfeiffer Theatre has been completely transformed in a matter of six months. Kuhns has kept a lot of the original work intact throughout the complex, including the brick wall in the jazz room and the plaster harnesses in the main stage room. In the process of their renovations they discovered the dome, over the front bar, with the original paint and molding around it.
The brick wall was marked by a fire in the Pfeiffer theatre, but in Kuhns' words, "It has so much character. . We decided to leave it as is."
The harnesses have been decorated with red velvet fabric and gorgeous white accents and are the first thing anyone sees when entering into the main stage area.
The entire complex is stunning with stone tile flooring in the front bar, hardwood floors in the jazz room, locally made wood chairs in the front bar and old, painted schoolhouse chairs in the actor's lounge. Every detail has been thought of and delicately placed.
For example, guests of the Sphere are welcome to buy a bottle of wine and browse through the library. The library, built by wood designer James Duvall, is a large cabinet split by a waterfall. Behind each door is a bottle of wine or champagne that is nestled in a velvet bed and in a spot light.
"I'm a visual person," said Guagliardo. "I will buy a bottle of wine just because it's pretty." His intent, he said, is to give the guests an opportunity to look at what they would like before purchasing it. The price of the bottles range anywhere from $30 to $1,500.
Guagliardo's intent, he said, is to cater to anyone that enjoys good entertainment.
"When I thought of this, I first thought of the moms and dads that want to go out and slow dance and have a delectable meal. However, we are not pushing away the younger crowd. Everyone who wants to be entertained is welcome, as long as they behave."
At 11 p.m. last Friday, when the main stage area turns into a dance club with the biggest disco ball in Buffalo, there were 21-year-olds as well as those old enough to be their grandparent out wearing their dancing shoes.
Judy Garland's "Swing, Swing" started the evening as the dance floor began to fill. By the time the third song played, a techno version of "Copacabana," there were three generations of people enjoying a night in Sphere.
Those looking for a private setting for a special occasion are more than welcome to reserve a VIP room. But the special room, seating eight people, comes at a price -$1,000, to be exact, is required to enjoy private luxury.
"Now, remember, you have a personal waiter, a security guard, five bottles of Dom Perignon, and dinner for eight guests," Guagliardo said. "It's not as expensive as it sounds. $1,000 can be spent quickly."
But for the average person, the club is not overly expensive. Ladies do not have to pay a cover on the weekends, and for gentlemen it's only $5. If you're looking for a romantic dinner for two and/or dinner theatre, be prepared to call in advance for a reservation and to spend a little money. The cost is $48 for dinner and the show, but $23 if only the entertainment is sought. The dinner menu caters to every type of eater, from the carnivore to the vegetarian, and the wine list is two pages long, along with a two-page martini list.
So far the guests seem to think Sphere is a great addition to the Buffalo nightlife and expect it to do well. For Curtain Up!, the complex had special visitors such as County Executive Joel Giambra, who was "impressed with the quality of Sphere" and commended the owners on their developments in the theatre district. Giambra was seated with an entourage of people right in front of the stage for singer Michael Civisca's performance.
Also present was Diane O'Donnell, who is in charge of 360 Degrees, an organization designed to clean up the Theater District.
"Our project is to take store fronts that are empty and bring in artists to reverse paint on them," she said, "advertising what Buffalo has to offer, such as the Frank Lloyd Wright houses."
O'Donnell is not a resident of Buffalo but thinks it is a great city with fabulous potential. "Sphere is a great change and will change the way people think about Buffalo. This city has a great nightlife, and this is just what we need to keep it growing."
"This is a change from the normal nightlife, and that's what makes it so awesome," says Amber Rampino, a graduate student at UB.
The Sphere Entertainment Complex is located at 681 Main Street, across from Shea's Performing Arts Center. For information or reservations call 852-3900, Ext. 16, or visit the Web site at www.spherebuffalo.com.
