Ritz Theatre
251 Port Richmond Avenue,
Staten Island,
NY
10302
251 Port Richmond Avenue,
Staten Island,
NY
10302
7 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fabian Theaters
Architects: James Whitford, Snr.
Functions: Retail
Styles: Adam, Italian Renaissance
Nearby Theaters
Located in the Port Richmond district of Staten Island. Operated by Johnson & Moses Theatrical Co. Ltd. Opened on March 1, 1924 with Gloria Swanson in “The Humming Bird” & five acts of vaudeville on the stage. It was equipped the a Skinner 4 manual 24 ranks organ, which was opened by organist Grace May Lissenden.
The Ritz Theatre later became the home of rock concerts and roller skating keeping the Ritz Theatre one of the integral entertainment venues on Staten Island for many years. It was closed in 1968.
Since 1985, this theatre has been owned and operated as a tile showroom by the Pedulla family. Portions of the theatre’s original purpose can still be seen inside. The murals still grace the walls.
Contributed by
Jean, Ed Monigan
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Recent comments (view all 92 comments)
Cool memories! I only know about this theatre because of the architect (who I’m researching now). James Whitford Sr. He did several other theatre’s and his son did a few as well. Just thought I’d throw that tidbit out – I’m an architectural historian so finding out the architect of these amazing buildings is what I love! Thanks for the great stories!
Is there a list of all the acts that played there in the 1970’s ? I am particularly interested in late January-March 1970. Thanks
I saw Cactus play there in spring 1972. My 1st big concert. I met Carmine Appice recently and he remembered the Venue. Bring back the Ritz !!
Shame no one has taken pictures of the murals and other interior elements mentioned in the heading.
I was just there yesterday doing research for my blog www.startswednesday.com (this week’s post is about the Ritz when it was in serious decline, after it stopped being a theater). I took a peek inside what was once the auditorium and took some pix, but saw no murals…
I still have my ticket stub from a ritz concert. Cactus in ‘72. Jim McCarty and Rusty Day were not with the band anymore. Can I upload the foto of the ticket here? The price was about $5
Sorry, I saw Cactus there in 1972. Rusty Day and Jim McCarty were very much in the band. I was in the front row. McCarty played his Les Paul through a Fender Head with a 6 x 10" speaker cabinet. Just ask him, he is on Facebook and he is very polite. He would probably answer you.
According to the lead the murals are still visible. How come no one has taken interior pix?
listings for this theatre ended in 1968 as everyone went to the three new shopping centre theatres instead.
October 2019 street view shows it is now split up into 4 separate retail spaces.