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The Ritz Theatre

1511 Main Street

Newberry, SC 29108

The Ritz Theatre

803-597-1636

History:

When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it “A modern house of entertainment.” Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called “Microphonic Sound.”

The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”

The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.

The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.

At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.

Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.

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AARP Events for Newberry

AARP Events for Newberry

• Walk and Roll: Advocating for Pedestrians and Cyclists

  Thursday, Nov 21, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET

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• Holiday Healing: Tools to Help Overcome Social Isolation

  Thursday, Nov 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET

  Facebook

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• Low Impact Cardio/Strength Building Series

  Thursday, Nov 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET

  Zoom

  Online Event

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											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
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							<span>Newberry</span>,
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												<span>29108</span>
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										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
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							<span>Newberry</span>,
							<span>SC</span>
												<span>29108</span>
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										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
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							<span>Newberry</span>,
							<span>SC</span>
												<span>29108</span>
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										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
											<div>
							<span>Newberry</span>,
							<span>SC</span>
												<span>29108</span>
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					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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		<header><h1 class="article-headline">The Ritz Theatre</h1></header>

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											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
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							<span>Newberry</span>,
							<span>SC</span>
												<span>29108</span>
											</div>
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					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
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							<span>Newberry</span>,
							<span>SC</span>
												<span>29108</span>
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										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Code Context
            <?php if (!$nowrapper):  // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
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		<header><h1 class="article-headline">The Ritz Theatre</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
											<div>
							<span>Newberry</span>,
							<span>SC</span>
												<span>29108</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/walk-and-roll-advocating-for-pedestrians-and-cyclists-in-communities-across-maine-fcndq8hr4vk.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-WALK-AND-ROLL-ADVOCATING-FOR-PEDESTRIANS-AND-CYCLISTS">Walk and Roll: Advocating for Pedestrians and Cyclists</a></h2>
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					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
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					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-il-holiday-healing-tools-for-seniors-to-overcome-isolation-112124-virtual-ljnyqcqg8cb.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-HOLIDAY-HEALING-TOOLS-TO-HELP-OVERCOME-SOCIAL-ISOLATION">Holiday Healing: Tools to Help Overcome Social Isolation</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 21, 2024 at 11:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Facebook</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
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					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-co-virtual-low-impact-cardiostrength-training-class-online-co-1031-12122024-28n3l8vmx3d.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-LOW-IMPACT-CARDIOSTRENGTH-BUILDING-SERIES">Low Impact Cardio/Strength Building Series</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 21, 2024 at 11:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
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			<p><a class="link-red" href="/newberry-sc/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
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					<div>
											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
											<div>
							<span>Newberry</span>,
							<span>SC</span>
												<span>29108</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
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		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2>
	</header>
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					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/walk-and-roll-advocating-for-pedestrians-and-cyclists-in-communities-across-maine-fcndq8hr4vk.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-WALK-AND-ROLL-ADVOCATING-FOR-PEDESTRIANS-AND-CYCLISTS">Walk and Roll: Advocating for Pedestrians and Cyclists</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 21, 2024 at 9:30&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
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		<header><h1 class="article-headline">The Ritz Theatre</h1></header>

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											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
											<div>
							<span>Newberry</span>,
							<span>SC</span>
												<span>29108</span>
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					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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							<span>Newberry</span>,
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												<span>29108</span>
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					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
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							<span>Newberry</span>,
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												<span>29108</span>
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					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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		<header><h1 class="article-headline">The Ritz Theatre</h1></header>

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											<div>1511 Main Street</div>
											<div>
							<span>Newberry</span>,
							<span>SC</span>
												<span>29108</span>
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					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://theritzonline.com/" target="_blank">The Ritz Theatre</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 803-597-1636</div>
				
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				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>History:</p>
<p>When the Ritz opened in Newberry on October 16, 1936, The Newberry Observer ran a special feature section describing the theater in great detail calling it &ldquo;A modern house of entertainment.&rdquo; Plans were altered at the last moment in order to install a newly developed sound system. The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called &ldquo;Microphonic Sound.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The article described the air conditioning system, seats, curtains as well as the soda shop, managed by Ellerbe Sease, and the Southern Auto Store that would occupy the spaces on either side of the theater entrance.The marquee was described as having chromium bands, neon tubes and many electric bulbs. &ldquo;The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The seating capacity was 800. The auditorium was 44 feet wide, 90 feet long and 25 feet high. The stage was 18 feet deep, 25 feet wide and 72 feet high. Materials listed included 47 solid car loads of Newberry county granite, 63 tons of steel girders and trusses, two and three-fourth miles of conduit, and 535 light bulbs.</p>
<p>The Ritz was entirely fireproof with six emergency exits. The projection booth had no wood or other flammable materials used in its construction. This was of great concern at the time, especially because the nitrate films that were shown were extremely flammable. The projection room at the Ritz still has the heavy metal plated doors that can be closed to prevent fire and smoke from entering the auditorium.</p>
<p>At the time of its opening, the Ritz had Mrs. C. H. Albrecht as president and treasurer; Mr. Theo Albrecht, vice president and secretary; Mrs. Darby and N. C. Wilson, cashiers; Bill Darby, assistant manager; and Lewis Waddell, projectionist.</p>
<p>Like so many other single-screen downtown movie theaters, the Ritz eventually closed its doors. Those doors reopened to enthusiastic audiences when the Newberry Community Players purchased the building as their permanent home in 1974. Keeping the building safe, clean and ready for stage productions consumes most of the resources of this all-volunteer, nonprofit group. Their current fund-raising campaign is focused on raising the large additional funds needed to restore the Ritz to its former Art Deco appearance.</p>		</div>
		

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include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118