Ritz Theatre (Elizabeth, New Jersey) facts for kids

Ritz Theatre
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
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Part of	Mid-Town Historic District (ID95001143)
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Designated CP	October 5, 1995

The Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, New Jersey is a cool place where people enjoy live shows and performances. It's a historic building that has seen many famous artists over the years.

The History of the Ritz Theatre

How the Ritz Theatre Began

The Ritz Theatre was built on a spot that already had a long history of entertainment. Before the Ritz, there was an opera house from 1865. It had a few different names over the years, like Drake Opera House and Proctor's Theatre.

In 1925, a person named Jacob Fabian bought the old theatre site. He wanted to build a brand new, grand theatre. He hired a talented architect named Fred Wesley Wentworth to design it.

Opening Day and Early Years

The new Ritz Theatre opened its doors on March 9, 1926. It was a very big theatre, with enough seats for 2,791 people! Imagine how many people could watch a show there at once.

By 1941, a company called Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. was running the theatre. It continued to host many performances through the 1970s.

Saving the Historic Theatre

By the 1980s, the Ritz Theatre was in danger of being torn down. But people who loved the theatre wanted to save it. In 1989, some local people who cared about their community bought the theatre. They started to fix it up, but they ran out of money.

Then, in 1994, George Castro bought the theatre. He worked hard to bring the Ritz back to its original amazing look from the 1920s. Thanks to his efforts, the theatre looks grand again today.

A Special Historic Building

The Ritz Theatre is considered a very important building in the Mid-Town Historic District. This means it helps make the whole area special and historic.

Famous Performers at the Ritz

Many incredibly talented people have performed at the Ritz Theatre. Imagine seeing some of these stars on stage!

• Chaka Khan
• George Burns
• Harry Chapin
• Jack Benny
• The Marx Brothers
• Maya Angelou
• Miles Davis
• Ray Charles
• Rodney Dangerfield

These artists brought music, comedy, and powerful words to the stage, making the Ritz a truly memorable place for entertainment.

See also

• List of New Jersey music venues by capacity