The Ritz Theatre
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
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"Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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}); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC</title> <meta name="page_title" content="The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="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" name="description"/> <meta content="Ritz, Theatre, Newberry, SC" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="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"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta property="og:description" content="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"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="34.275398"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.617203"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/newberry-sc/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/newberry-sc/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-de-yoga-series-11724-8sn3ct3mbp8.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RECHARGE-WITH-GENTLE-YOGA">Recharge With Gentle Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-holiday-cards-color-pencil-1172024-dynxs9jhsby.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CREATING-HOLIDAY-CARDS-USING-COLORED-PENCILS">Creating Holiday Cards Using Colored Pencils</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a 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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.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?><?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/newberry-sc/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/newberry-sc/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-de-yoga-series-11724-8sn3ct3mbp8.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RECHARGE-WITH-GENTLE-YOGA">Recharge With Gentle Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-holiday-cards-color-pencil-1172024-dynxs9jhsby.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CREATING-HOLIDAY-CARDS-USING-COLORED-PENCILS">Creating Holiday Cards Using Colored Pencils</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 8, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <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> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWBERRY-SC">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWBERRY-SC">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; 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}); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC</title> <meta name="page_title" content="The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="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" name="description"/> <meta content="Ritz, Theatre, Newberry, SC" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="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"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta property="og:description" content="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"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="34.275398"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.617203"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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The article stated that the Ritz was the first theater south of Washington to have the new system called “Microphonic Sound.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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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
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 TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/newberry-sc/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/newberry-sc/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-de-yoga-series-11724-8sn3ct3mbp8.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RECHARGE-WITH-GENTLE-YOGA">Recharge With Gentle Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-holiday-cards-color-pencil-1172024-dynxs9jhsby.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CREATING-HOLIDAY-CARDS-USING-COLORED-PENCILS">Creating Holiday Cards Using Colored Pencils</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 8, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <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> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWBERRY-SC">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWBERRY-SC">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP South Carolina Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP South Carolina Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />South Carolina</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:SCAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">SCAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/south-carolina/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP South Carolina</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/weve-moved/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-NEWBERRY-SC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPSC" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC</title> <meta name="page_title" content="The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="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" name="description"/> <meta content="Ritz, Theatre, Newberry, SC" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="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"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta property="og:description" content="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"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="34.275398"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.617203"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/newberry-sc/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/newberry-sc/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-de-yoga-series-11724-8sn3ct3mbp8.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RECHARGE-WITH-GENTLE-YOGA">Recharge With Gentle Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-holiday-cards-color-pencil-1172024-dynxs9jhsby.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CREATING-HOLIDAY-CARDS-USING-COLORED-PENCILS">Creating Holiday Cards Using Colored Pencils</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 8, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <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> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWBERRY-SC">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWBERRY-SC">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP South Carolina Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP South Carolina Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />South Carolina</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/newberry-sc/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/newberry-sc/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-de-yoga-series-11724-8sn3ct3mbp8.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RECHARGE-WITH-GENTLE-YOGA">Recharge With Gentle Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-holiday-cards-color-pencil-1172024-dynxs9jhsby.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CREATING-HOLIDAY-CARDS-USING-COLORED-PENCILS">Creating Holiday Cards Using Colored Pencils</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 8, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <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> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWBERRY-SC">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWBERRY-SC">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP South Carolina Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP South Carolina Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />South Carolina</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:SCAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">SCAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/south-carolina/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP South Carolina</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/weve-moved/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-NEWBERRY-SC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPSC" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC</title> <meta name="page_title" content="The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="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" name="description"/> <meta content="Ritz, Theatre, Newberry, SC" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="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"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta property="og:description" content="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"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="34.275398"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.617203"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/newberry-sc/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/newberry-sc/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> 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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.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/newberry-sc/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/newberry-sc/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-de-yoga-series-11724-8sn3ct3mbp8.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RECHARGE-WITH-GENTLE-YOGA">Recharge With Gentle Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-holiday-cards-color-pencil-1172024-dynxs9jhsby.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CREATING-HOLIDAY-CARDS-USING-COLORED-PENCILS">Creating Holiday Cards Using Colored Pencils</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-maine-yoga-with-sea-change-yoga-november-2024-dwn5382699b.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-VIRTUAL-CLASS-IN-GENTLE-CHAIR-YOGA">A Virtual Class in Gentle Chair Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Nov 8, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <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> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); 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}); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC</title> <meta name="page_title" content="The Ritz Theatre - Newberry, SC"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="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" name="description"/> <meta content="Ritz, Theatre, Newberry, SC" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="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"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="The Ritz Theatre"/> <meta property="og:description" content="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"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="34.275398"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.617203"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <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> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=The+Ritz+Theatre%2C+1511+Main+Street%2C+Newberry%2C+SC+29108" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </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 “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.”</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. “The sign can be easily seen and read for several blocks in either direction.”</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> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/newberry-sc/report/place/the-ritz-theatre-newberry-sc.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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</a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newberry</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-de-yoga-series-11724-8sn3ct3mbp8.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RECHARGE-WITH-GENTLE-YOGA">Recharge With Gentle Yoga</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-holiday-cards-color-pencil-1172024-dynxs9jhsby.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CREATING-HOLIDAY-CARDS-USING-COLORED-PENCILS">Creating Holiday Cards Using Colored Pencils</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a 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