Ritz Theatre

251 Port Richmond Avenue,
Staten Island, NY 10302

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fabian Theaters

Architects: James Whitford, Snr.

Functions: Retail

Styles: Adam, Italian Renaissance

Nearby Theaters

Ritz Theatre

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

Recent comments (view all 92 comments)

cath61
cath61 on January 11, 2014 at 12:01 am

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!

garn98
garn98 on February 11, 2014 at 8:25 pm

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

dasratsel65
dasratsel65 on October 5, 2015 at 2:47 am

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 !!

robboehm
robboehm on October 5, 2015 at 3:02 am

Shame no one has taken pictures of the murals and other interior elements mentioned in the heading.

victoria hallerman
victoria hallerman on December 1, 2015 at 5:41 pm

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…

dasratsel65
dasratsel65 on January 21, 2016 at 3:11 am

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

tjcpt
tjcpt on January 21, 2016 at 6:11 am

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.

robboehm
robboehm on January 21, 2016 at 2:58 pm

According to the lead the murals are still visible. How come no one has taken interior pix?

rivest266
rivest266 on November 6, 2021 at 6:49 pm

listings for this theatre ended in 1968 as everyone went to the three new shopping centre theatres instead.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 6, 2021 at 7:09 pm

October 2019 street view shows it is now split up into 4 separate retail spaces.

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