Ritz Theatre (Haddon Township, New Jersey)

Last updated
Ritz Theatre
RitzTheatreSmall.jpg
Ritz Theatre, October 2005
Location map of Camden County, New Jersey.svg
Red pog.svg
USA New Jersey location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Twp., NJ 08104
Coordinates 39°54′1″N75°4′33″W / 39.90028°N 75.07583°W / 39.90028; -75.07583
Arealess than one acre
Built1927
ArchitectHodgens & Hill
Architectural styleColonial Revival
NRHP reference No. 02001625 [1]
Added to NRHPDecember 26, 2002

The Ritz Theatre is a theater located in Haddon Township, New Jersey. The venue is owned and operated by The Ritz Theatre Company, a nonprofit organization. The theater was added to the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Contents

History

The Ritz Theatre was built in 1927 by William E. Butler for an estimated $400,000 and designed by the architectural firm Hodgens and Hill with 800 seats. [2] It was named after the Ritz hotel in Paris. [3] The groundbreaking ceremony in February 1927 was attended by Oaklyn, New Jersey, borough officials. [4] It was built in a Classical Revival architectural style as a movie theater and opened on September 12, 1927, with the film Tillie the Toiler . [2] [4] Vaudeville acts also performed alongside movie showings. [2] The auditorium walls feature neo-classical canvas murals with gilt trimmed columns and velvet draped balconies enclosed by classic carved balustrades. [2]

The ceiling of the theater collapsed in the 1930s and after the repairs were made, the seating capacity changed to 600. [2] By 1948, the theatre was operated by the Peerless Corporation. [5] Starting in March 1954 with The Lavender Hill Mob , through the 1960s, the Ritz showed fine art and foreign films. [2] [6] In the 1970s, the Ritz became an adult movie theater operated by a company that operated another pornographic movie theater. [2] The theater closed in early 1985. [2]

On October 7, 1985, a theatre company led by producing artistic director Bruce A. Curless, Puttin' on the Ritz, Inc., rented the Ritz Theatre and renamed it the Ritz Vaudeville Theater. [2] [3] [7] [8] The stage was expanded over existing rows of seating, reducing the capacity to 400 seats. [3] Actors hired to perform in the first season of shows were unpaid. [9] The company produced its first season of theatre performances beginning in January 1986 with a production of The Boy Friend . [2] In 1990, the theatre's production of Children of a Lesser God began a commitment to American Sign Language. [10] This initiative later turned into having Shadow Interpreters for the theatre's annual Christmas tradition of Scrooge in 2006 and 2008, as well as mainstage shows such as Arsenic and Old Lace in 2010. [10]

The Ritz Theatre Company, Inc. presents six mainstage productions and eight children's productions each season. [10] They serve more than 73,300 patrons annually. [11] Also offered are holiday shows, special events, summer theatre camp, dramatic workshops and outreach programs. [10] The Theatre building also boasts The Gallery at the Ritz, an in-house art gallery that offers professional monthly art exhibits. [10]

In 2001, the board of directors purchased the 466-seat theatre, making it the permanent home of the ensemble. On December 26, 2002, the Ritz was added to the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places. [1] [12]

During a renovation, the roof was replaced, the electrical system was upgraded, and sprinklers were installed. The lobby was renovated with new carpeting and paint, and work had begun on restoring the front of the building and the classic marquee as well as the classical Greek interior murals.

In April 2014, the Ritz held its first fundraiser to keep the building and theatre going. [13] The first annual "Rock The Ritz" fundraiser brought in over $11,000 to help the organization. [14]

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audubon, New Jersey</span> Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, US

Audubon is a borough in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 8,707, a decrease of 112 (−1.3%) from the 2010 census count of 8,819, which in turn reflected a decline of 363 (−4.0%) from the 9,182 counted in the 2000 census. Located right outside of Philadelphia and the city of Camden, it constitutes part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collingswood, New Jersey</span> Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, US

Collingswood is a borough in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Center City Philadelphia. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 14,186, an increase of 260 (+1.9%) from the 2010 census count of 13,926, which in turn reflected a decline of 400 (−2.8%) from the 14,326 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haddon Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Camden County, New Jersey, US

Haddon Township is a township in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 15,407, an increase of 700 (+4.8%) from the 2010 census count of 14,707, which in turn reflected an increase of 56 (+0.4%) from the 14,651 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oaklyn, New Jersey</span> Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, US

Oaklyn is a borough in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,930, a decrease of 108 (−2.7%) from the 2010 census count of 4,038, which in turn reflected a decline of 150 (−3.6%) from the 4,188 counted in the 2000 census.

Landmark Theatres is a movie theatre chain founded in 1974 in the United States. It was formerly dedicated to exhibiting and marketing independent and foreign films. Landmark consists of 34 theatres with 176 screens in 24 markets. It is known for both its historic and newer, more modern theatres. Helmed by its President, Kevin Holloway, Landmark Theatres is part of Cohen Media Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loew's Jersey Theatre</span> Theater in Jersey City, New Jersey

The Loew's Jersey Theatre is a theater in Jersey City, New Jersey. Opened in 1929, it was one of the five Loew's Wonder Theatres, a series of flagship Loew's movie palaces in the New York City area. It was designed by the architectural firm of Rapp and Rapp in a Baroque/Rococo style. It was purchased by the city in 1993 and has been operated by a volunteer organization, the Friends of the Loews, since that time. The theater was designated as a New Jersey Registered Historic Site in 2009. In a move opposed by Friends of the Loews, the city in June 2014, agreed to let AEG Live operate the venue. After going to court, the lease by Friends of the Loews remains in effect. In 2022, a $72 million restoration project was started by Devils Arena Entertainment, a division of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment that operates the Prudential Center, with completion being expected by 2025.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walnut Street Theatre</span> Oldest theatre in the United States

Walnut Street Theatre, founded in 1808 at 825 Walnut Street, on the corner of S. 9th Street in the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia, is the oldest operating theatre in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haddon Township High School</span> High school in Camden County, New Jersey, US

Haddon Township High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades, located in Haddon Township, in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as the lone secondary school of the Haddon Township School District. The school offers courses in math, science, languages, humanities and various vocational skills. It also offers athletics and after-school clubs and organizations. The school follows a quarter-semester system, uses a 5-point GPA scale, and offers Advanced Placement and honors-level courses, both of which use a weighted average grading system.

Collingswood High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Collingswood in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is the sole secondary school of Collingswood Public Schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haddon Heights Junior/Senior High School</span> High school in Camden County, New Jersey, United States

Haddon Heights Junior/Senior High School, previously known as Haddon Heights High School (HHHS), is a six-year comprehensive public middle school / high school that serves students in seventh through twelfth grades from Haddon Heights, in Camden County, in New Jersey, operating as part of the Haddon Heights School District. The school also serves students from the neighboring communities of Barrington, Lawnside and Merchantville, who attend the high school for grades 9–12 as part of sending/receiving relationships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strand Theater (Lakewood, New Jersey)</span> United States historic place

The Strand Theater is a vaudeville theater located at 400 Clifton Avenue in Lakewood Township, Ocean County, New Jersey. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 22, 1982, for its significance in architecture, art, and theater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coconut Grove Playhouse</span> Theatre in Miami, Florida, United States

The Coconut Grove Playhouse was a theatre in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida, United States. The building was originally constructed as a movie theater called the Player's State Theater. It opened on January 1, 1927, as a part of the Paramount chain. The movie house was designed by the architect Richard Kiehnel of Kiehnel and Elliott. It was built by local realtors Irving J. Thomas and Fin L. Pierce. Albert Peacock was the contractor.

Ritz Theatre or Ritz Theater is the name of several facilities:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brook Arts Center</span> United States historic place

The Brook Arts Center, formerly Brook Theatre, is a historic theater located at 10 Hamilton Street in Bound Brook of Somerset County, New Jersey. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 2014, for its significance in entertainment and performing arts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ritz Theatre (Elizabeth, New Jersey)</span> United States historic place

The Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, New Jersey is a performing arts center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union County Performing Arts Center</span> United States historic place

Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC), formerly the "movie palace" known as the Rahway Theatre, is a non-profit performance venue in Rahway, New Jersey, a small city west of Staten Island that was recently named "#2 Best Small Town Arts Scene" in the country by USA Today. As of the early 2020s, downtown Rahway has become a regional hub in the performing and visual arts. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glassboro station</span>

Glassboro is an inactive train station in Glassboro, New Jersey which served passengers from 1863–1971. Its station house was restored c. 2015. It is located at the edge of the Rowan University campus. Listed as the West Jersey Rail Road Glassboro Depot, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 2020, for its significance in architecture and transportation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orpheum Theater (Sioux Falls)</span> Theater in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US

The Orpheum Theater, formerly the Sioux Falls Community Playhouse, is a historic theater at 315 North Phillips Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is the oldest theater in Sioux Falls and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Originally, it hosted vaudeville performances, and briefly served as a movie theater before being converted again into a stage theater, which it remains today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mystic Theatre (Petaluma, California)</span> Music venue in Petaluma, California

Mystic Theatre, also known as McNear's Mystic Theatre, is a historic building and music venue built in 1911, and located in Petaluma, California. The McNear's Saloon and Dining House is housed next door in an adjoined building.

Krysten Cummings is a stage and film actress. She is also a musician. She appeared as Tina in the 1997 production of The Fix, and as Mimi in the 1998 version of the musical Rent for which she was a 1999 Olivier Award nominee.

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form". NPS.gov. December 26, 2002. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Baxter, Robert (November 10, 1985). "Bruce Curless intends to put on the Ritz in a former porno palace". Courier-Post. Retrieved April 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 "Oaklyn to Open Handsome New Playhouse Tonight". Evening Courier . September 12, 1927. Retrieved April 26, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Gaffney, William A. (August 7, 1948). "185 Ask Cuts On Levies in Haddon Twp". Evening Courier. Retrieved April 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Ritz Presenting Foreign Films". Courier-Post . March 16, 1954. Retrieved April 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Caba, Susan (November 10, 1985). "Theater to open with acts in the vaudeville vein". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved April 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Musicals, comedies now in fashion at new Ritz Theater". Courier-Post. January 12, 1986. Retrieved April 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Keating, Douglas J. (November 19, 1985). "X marked the spot for his dream theater". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 27, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Ritz Theatre Company." The Ritz Theatre Company. South Jersey Cultural Alliance, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.
  11. ↑ "Phillytheatertix.com." Ritz Theatre Company : Theatre Philadelphia. Theatre Philly, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.
  12. ↑ NEW JERSEY - Camden County, National Register of Historic Places. Accessed February 25, 2008.
  13. ↑ Riordan, Kevin. "Haddon Twp.'s Ritz Theater Staging Its First Fund-raiser." Philly.com. Philadelphia Inquirer, 07 Mar. 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.
  14. ↑ Staff. "Ritz Fundraisers Net Nearly $100K." Philly.com. Interstate General Media, LLC, 10 Apr. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
  15. 1 2 Eblen, Shannon (November 11, 2015). "With 'Rent,' theater and medicine form an unlikely alliance". Courier-Post . Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Ritz's Concert Version of Scrooge This Weekend." Ritz's Concert Version of Scrooge This Weekend. The Retrospect, 14 Dec. 2012. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.