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Originally, the Grand Opera House, a three-story Victorian building featuring ornate brick and stone work, was built for the legitimate stage. Later, it served as a theatre for vaudeville.
In the 1920s, as motion pictures became the rage, the Opera House was converted into a movie palace. To give the building a more modern art deco look, the first-story brick work was covered with carrara glass, and an elaborate marquee and cascading sign were added. Thus, the Grand Opera House became the Ritz Theatre.
In 1956, the world premier of A View From Pompey's Head, filmed primarily at the Oglethorpe Hotel (The grand hotel that used to sit across from the Ritz), was introduced by the film's star, Richard Egan, at the Ritz Theatre.
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The Ritz Theatre (and single movie houses in general) fell into decline in the 60's and 70's. In 1981, the City of Brunswick purchased the Ritz, and again, the theatre was modernized and subsantially altered. However, the Ritz sign was left intact. The extensive reconstruction was due in part to the collapse of the roof over the auditorium. This phase was completed in 1983.
Under the management of Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association (GIAHA) since 1990, the Ritz has returned to its roots as a live performance space, and a place for community and cultural events.
In July 2000, renovation work began to replace the roof, bring the building up to current safety and accessibility codes, and to make some substantial improvements to the auditorium. This phase was completed in Spetember 2001 and was funded through a Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (SPOLOST) fund of $480,000 and financial support through the community. |
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A current SPLOST referendum has allocated an additional $1.7 million to the Ritz to complete the renovation of the second and third floors, restore the facade and includes additional improvements to the theatre space.
Currently, the Ritz Theatre plays host to a variety of events during the year furting GIAHA programs, and concerts, public forums, beauty pageants, dance recitals, etc., by independent producers and organizations that rent the space.
The lobby
serves as a visual art gallery as well as an information center for tourists and the community. With the purchse of a large screen projection system, the theatre once again became a favorite spot for watching movies, as in the old days.
The Historic Ritze Theatre has been selected to participate in the pilot program of the Fox Theatre Institute. |
| Reservation Information - For rentals of the Ritz Theatre or Mary Ross Waterfront Park, call 912-262-6934. The Ritz is now equipped with a projector and screen for DVD and PowerPoint presentations. |
| Contact, Address and Website link |
Phone: 912- 262-6934 - Fax 912-262-1029 - Address: 1530 Newcastle Street, Brunswick, GA 31520 - Directions I-95 Exit 36A; Rte 341 to downtown Brunswick
The Historic Ritz Theater is managed by Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association, the coordinating arts council for Glynn County and the City of Brunswick.  Golden Isles Arts |
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