Ritz Theatre (Haddon Township, New Jersey) facts for kids
The Ritz Theatre is a historic building in Haddon Township, New Jersey. It's a place where people can watch plays and shows. A group called The Ritz Theatre Company owns and runs it. This theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 because it's an important historical site.
Quick facts for kids |
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Ritz Theatre
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Ritz Theatre, October 2005
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 Location in Camden County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Twp., NJ 08104 |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Hodgens & Hill |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001625 |
| Added to NRHP | December 26, 2002 |
Contents
History of the Ritz Theatre
Building the Theatre
The Ritz Theatre was built in 1927. William E. Butler had it built for about $400,000. The architects, Hodgens and Hill, designed it with 800 seats. It was named after the famous Ritz hotel in Paris. The building style was Classical Revival.
The groundbreaking ceremony happened in February 1927. Officials from Oaklyn, New Jersey, attended the event. The theater opened on September 12, 1927. The first film shown was Tillie the Toiler. Besides movies, live Vaudeville acts also performed. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different short acts. The inside walls of the theater have beautiful murals. They also have fancy columns and velvet balconies.
Changes Over Time
In the 1930s, part of the theater's ceiling fell. After repairs, the number of seats changed to 600. By 1948, the Peerless Corporation managed the theater. From March 1954 through the 1960s, the Ritz showed special art films. These were often movies from other countries.
In the 1970s, the theater's focus changed. It began showing films for a more mature audience. The Ritz Theatre closed its doors in early 1985.
A New Beginning
On October 7, 1985, a new theater group took over. This group was led by Bruce A. Curless. They rented the Ritz Theatre and renamed it the Ritz Vaudeville Theater. The stage was made bigger, which meant fewer seats. The theater now had 400 seats.
The company's first season of shows began in January 1986. Their first play was The Boy Friend. In 1990, they performed Children of a Lesser God. This play led to a special commitment. The theater started using American Sign Language (ASL) in some shows. Later, they had "Shadow Interpreters" for their Christmas show Scrooge. This also happened for other plays like Arsenic and Old Lace.
The Ritz Theatre Today
The Ritz Theatre Company, Inc. puts on many shows each year. They have six main plays and eight children's plays. More than 73,300 people visit the theater every year. They also offer holiday shows and special events. Kids can join summer theater camps and workshops.
The theater building also has The Gallery at the Ritz. This is an art gallery inside the theater. It shows new art exhibits every month.
In 2001, the theater's board of directors bought the building. This made the Ritz Theatre the permanent home for the company. On December 26, 2002, the Ritz was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical place.
Renovations and Support
During a renovation, the roof was replaced. The electrical system was also updated. New sprinklers were put in for safety. The lobby was made new with fresh paint and carpet. Work also began to restore the front of the building. The classic marquee sign and the Greek-style murals inside were also restored.
In April 2014, the Ritz held its first fundraiser. This event, called "Rock The Ritz," helped raise money. It brought in over $11,000 to support the theater.
Notable People from the Ritz
Some famous people have been involved with the Ritz Theatre:
- Krysten Cummings
- Cory Wade Hindorff
- Cristin Milioti: She performed in plays like Carousel and Romeo and Juliet. She was also in the Christmas show Scrooge.
See also
