Ritz Theatre
1148 E. Jersey Street,
Elizabeth,
NJ
07201
1148 E. Jersey Street,
Elizabeth,
NJ
07201
3 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Ritz Theatre, Elizabeth (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fabian Theaters, RKO, Stanley-Warner Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Architects: Fred Wesley Wentworth
Functions: Concerts, Live Performances, Movies, Performing Arts, Special Events
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
908.352.1919
Nearby Theaters
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. By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Entered a period of decline from the 1960’s onward. By 1980 it was threatened with demolition to build a parking lot. It was closed by RKO as a movie theatre on October 31, 1979 with Donald Pleasence in “Halloween” & Michael Douglas in “Coma”.
Rescued by local philanthropists who set out to restore the theatre. They ran out of money in 1989. In 1994 purchased by George Castro, who has restored it to its 1920’s grandeur and became a performing arts center. In 2014 new owners took over who installed new heating and cooling systems.
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Recent comments (view all 30 comments)
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
Looks like they are under new management – the new website (http://www.ritztheatre.net/) says upcoming event info is on its way. There were three events in November 2014. The gallery has a lot of great interior photos.
I saw that about a month ago spectrum. Im hoping it happens cause Im an unemployed projectionist and stagehand who was helping out on the remodel by the former owner in the mid and late 2000’s. I really want to work here again.
The British rock group Def Leppard filmed the music video for their song “Foolin'” here at the Ritz Theatre in the summer of 1983 during their “Pyromania” tour
The exterior of The Ritz is used prominently in the HBO mini-series “The Plot Against America”, now running. They covered the front (street facing) panel of the marquee with an electric sign indicating the name of the theatre is “NEWSREEL”, but occasionally you get a glimpse of “The Ritz” on a few quick shots of the side panels. In the show, the theatre is supposed to be in Newark, but it is actually the The Ritz in Elizabeth NJ.
For those who don’t know, theatres that ran nothing but news reels were popular in major urban markets back in the 1940’s.
Surprised no one has mentioned this theater appeared as a location in the film, Far from Heaven. (interior and exterior).
Closed as a RKO movie theater on October 31, 1979 with “Halloween” and “Coma”.
Reopened as Ritz on March 9th, 1926. Grand opening ad posted.