Ritz Theatre
1148 E. Jersey Street,
Elizabeth,
NJ
07201
1148 E. Jersey Street,
Elizabeth,
NJ
07201
2 people
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Built on the site of the Drake Opera House/People’s Theatre/Star Theatre/ Jacob’s Theatre/Proctor’s Theatre. The theatre was 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.
Entered a period of decline from the 1960’s onward. By 1980 it was threatened with demolition to build a parking lot. Rescued by local philanthropists who set out to restore the theater. They ran out of money in 1989. In 1994 purchased by George Castro, who has restored it to its 1920’s grandeur. Currently a performing arts center.
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Recent comments (view all 31 comments)
Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cpsuc8
I didn’t post the above comment.
1973 Photo
1983 Photo
Here is an updated link for LoopNet. The price is $3,800,000.
Hope it gets sold soon, so perhaps then it can take off with shows and classic films.
2009 photo of the Ritz Theatre courtesy Patsy.
View link
The theatre is open (their website shows upcoming entertainment & movies). Here’s a photo I took this past weekend:
http://agilitynut.com/11/3/ritz.jpg
I had my first job there. 1966, as an usher. $1/hr.
I think the manager’s name was Mr Oswald. He’d been a history major.
Still waiting, still hoping this place can get into the hands of someone who can really bring it back to life. Concerts, Broadway shows, movies, opera. I know this place can do well. People said the same thing about New Brunswick and Newark, and look at the venues they now have.
For more information about the building’s architect, see the website www.fredwesleywentworth.com I recently completed a book that focuses on the collaboration between Wentworth and Jacob Fabian, movie theater entrepreneur. REP