The Ritz Theatre

The lights go down and the curtain comes up. At the Ritz Theatre Co. in Haddon Township, that’s when the adventure begins.

Serving more than 73,300 residents of the Delaware Valley year-round, the Ritz Theatre Co. offers professional performances and outreach/educational programs. While aspiring actors bring stories to life on the big stage, audience members have the opportunity to get involved as well.

Six main stage productions and eight children’s shows make up each season at the Ritz.

An early start
In September 1927, the Ritz Theatre opened as a vaudeville and movie house and made a name for itself in the South Jersey community. Greek architecture and 25-foot-high, neo-classical canvas murals gave the theater its identity.

As the decades wore on, programming at the theater evolved. According to the Ritz’s website, the company offered fine art and foreign films in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s, the Ritz completely changed direction and became a porno movie house.

In the '80s, the Ritz changed again with the formation of Puttin' On The Ritz in 1986. With that, the theater company re-established itself as a driving force in South Jersey entertainment to become a version much closer to that of the present day.

In 2004, they received $10,000 from the Camden County Freeholders and $100,000 from The New Jersey State Council on the Arts. They also received support from the Cultural Trust through the Historical Trust for the theatre building.

Fast forward to 2011 where the Ritz broke all box office records with their production of Hairspray!

The Ritz is definitely the place to go for a great show!

See a show
The 2014 Mainstage Season is ending, but there are still some shows left on the calendar.
“Steel Magnolias” — Sept. 11 - Oct. 5
“Gypsy” — Oct. 30 - Nov. 3

The 2014 Children's Series is wrapping up with
“The Littlest Witch” — Oct. 2-4
“Cinderella” — Nov. 6-8
“Frosty the Snow Man” — Dec. 15 - 20

To buy tickets for any Ritz show, call 856-858-5230 or purchase online. Box office hours are 1pm to 6pm Tuesday through Friday and 30 minutes before every curtain. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time.

For more information about the 2014 season, go to ritztheatreco.org.

Break a leg
The Ritz Theatre Co. is always looking for volunteers. Opportunities include painting and developing sets, marketing, and supervising the art gallery. Volunteer benefits include an available complimentary ticket program, invitations to special events and programs and more. To sign up or to get more information, click here.

Think you can act? The Ritz Theatre Co. holds auditions for all main stage shows. Audition scheduling begins 2 weeks prior to the audition. To make an appointment, call 856-858-5230 or e-mail sales@ritztheatreco.org. To see the full schedule of audition dates and locations, click here. Those auditioning are asked to bring a headshot and a resume.

Also at The Ritz
In addition to main stage performances and a children’s series, the theater company offers occasional art galleries. The Ritz showcased the work of full-time painter Sharon Paisner in an earlier exhibition.

Trying to decide if you want to see a show? You can watch previews and trailers on YouTube of main stage performances directly from their website.

The Ritz Theatre Co. is located at 915 White Horse Pike in the Arts District of Haddon Township. For more information, call 856-858-5230 or go to ritztheatreco.org.

Updated 9/16/14

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Author: Editorial Staff