The Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, New Jersey is a performing arts center. The Ritz was built on the site of the 1865 Drake Opera House/People's Theatre/Star Theatre/ Jacob's Theatre/Proctor's Theatre. The theatre was purchased in 1925 by Jacob Fabian, who hired architect

Fred Wesley Wentworth Fred Wesley Wentworth (August 3, 1864 – October 5, 1943) was an American architect known for his many buildings in Downtown Paterson, New Jersey as well as several residences and theaters in northeastern New Jersey. Wentworth had a major impact ...

to design the Ritz Theatre on the site, which opened on March 9, 1926 with 2,791 seats. By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. While there were performances through the 1970s, by the 1980s it was threatened with demolition. In 1989 it was purchased local philanthropists who set out to restore the theatre but ran out of funding. In 1994 purchased by George Castro, who has restored it to its 1920s grand appearance. It is a contributing property to the Mid-Town Historic District. Among the notables who have performed there are Chaka Kahn, George Burns, Harry Chapin, Jack Benny, The Marx Brother, Maya Angelou, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, and Rodney Dangerfield.

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* {{coord, 40.664707, -74.213402, type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-NJ, display=title Theatres in New Jersey Concert halls in New Jersey Cinemas and movie theaters in New Jersey 1865 establishments in New Jersey Buildings and structures in Elizabeth, New Jersey Performing arts centers in New Jersey Tourist attractions in Union County, New Jersey Historic district contributing properties in New Jersey New Jersey Register of Historic Places Fred Wesley Wentworth buildings Art Deco architecture in New Jersey National Register of Historic Places in Union County, New Jersey Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey