ABOUT RITZ
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The Ritz was built on the site of the 1865 Drake Opera House. It was originally purchased in 1925 by Jacob Fabian, who hired architect Fred Wesley Wentworth to design the Ritz Theatre on the site, which opened on March 9, 1926 with 2,791 seats. By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. In 1994 the Ritz Theatre was purchased by George A. Castro II, who restored it to its 1920's grand appearance.
"The Ritz Theatre aims to bring the community together, uniting them through culture and allowing everyone to experience the magic of the performing arts."
The Ritz Theatre is one of the largest and oldest fully operational theaters in New Jersey. Over the years, many legendary performers have graced this majestic theater’s stage, from the Marx Brothers, George Burns and Jack Benny, Ray Charles, Harry Chapin, Maya Angelou, Chaka Kahn, Rodney Dangerfield, Miles Davis and many others. The theatre was a cultural landmark through the 1960's when entered a period of decline. By 1980 it was threatened to be demolished in order to build a parking lot. Rescued by philanthropists who set out to restore the theatre. They ran out of money in 1989. In 1994 it was purchased by George A. Castro II, who has restored it to its 1920's grandeur.
