Ritz Theater
345 13th Avenue NE,
Minneapolis,
MN
55413
345 13th Avenue NE,
Minneapolis,
MN
55413
2 people
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In 1920’s the Ritz Theater, a single-screen neighborhood movie house, was an anchor to the small 13th Avenue commercial strip in northeast Minneapolis.
Vacant for many years, the building was sold to the Ballet of the Dolls dance/theater group, which now calls the Ritz home. The interior is not significant other than an unsual ‘wave’ proscenium wall. The most notable feature is the large marquee over the sidewalk that features neon ‘curls’ and the name RITZ spelled out in large letters.
The Ballet of the Dolls was awarded a $500,000 grant by the McKight Foundation for the redevelopment of the theater. They continued to fundraise while they were housed in an industrial building nearby known as the Dance Factory. On May 12, 2006, they moved back into the re-opened and renovated Ritz Theater.
Contributed by
Sean Ryan
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
This is a 2005 photo of the former Ritz Theater.
This is a B/W photo of the Ritz theater in Minneapolis.
The Ballet of the Dolls will be performing at the restored Ritz Theatre, beginning May 2006.
The Ritz Theatre opened in 1928 and operated into the 1980’s. A seating capacity of 742 is given in the 1952 edition of Film Daily Yearbook.
Now newly renovated as a live performance theatre, the Ritz re-opened on 12th May 2006 with a seating capacity of 245.
Here is a repost of Sean’s 1981 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ygjz4u
1952:
http://tinyurl.com/yhuaff
1953:
http://tinyurl.com/yzj6ko
It’s hard to link to the historical society. The links always end up broken about 3 months later. They must reshuffle and sort media constantly or something. Thanks Ken.
A Kilgen theater organ opus 3704 size 2/3 style U01 was installed in the Ritz Theater in 1926.
Ritz Theater website.
1992 photo of the Ritz Theatre.
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2008 photo of the Ritz Theatre.
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2006 Photo of the Ritz Theatre.
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