The Ritz Theatre
Description
Talladega's Ritz Theatre (circa 1936) is considered one of the best surviving examples of the Art Deco mainstreet theatres of the 1930's. Careful restoration of the landmark's extraordinary facade - comprised exclusively of opaque structural glass, a common constructoin material used lavishly during the Deco period in buildings like the Rockerfeller Center in New York City - was completed in late 1997 with perfectly matched antique vitrolite glass by renowned St. Louis artisan Timothy J. Dunn.
The historic Ritz Theatre reopened on February 16, 1998 as the premiere performing arts center of East Central Alabama with a concert by the National Symphony String Quintet.
The extraordinary success of the Historic Ritz Theatre as a regional performing arts center is due largely to the generous support of our FRIENDS of the Ritz. Your tax-deductible contributions help underwrite our world-class performances, help make the theatre available to local charitable groups free of charge, and most important, your donations will help more than 8,000 attend arts education activities at the Ritz this upcoming year.
As a FRIEND of the Ritz, you'll receive priority seating, recognition in Ritz playbills, your name on a plaque in the theatre lobby, and invitations to special events.
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facebook.com2017 Spring Season
We have another great show lined up for everyone, The Marvelous Wondrettes, a musical comedy that became a smash Off-Broadway hit in New York. The show uses pop songs from the 50s and 60s as a vehicle to tell its story. It is a homage to those high school years of the era, notably the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet The Wonderettes, four girls, all singers, with dreams as big as their crinoline skirts. http://ritztalladega.com/events/ And don't forget, it is also time for the Missoula Children's Theater summer drama camp at the Ritz. You can download the form from our website under Special Events -- Children's Theatre
Registration for Missoula Summer Theatre Camp -- sponsored by Historic Ritz and Callie' Kids -- opens today. For more info call Ritz at 256-315-0000. Only 60 slots available -- first come first serve!
Ritz 2017 Missoula Summer Camp registration opens on Monday, May 1. Dates are Jun 19-24. Ages are 6-16. Camp is 8am- 12:30pm Mon-Fri, and 8am-3pm on Sat. Only 60 slots available. Show this year is "Beauty Lou & the Country Beast" with two public performances on Sat at 11:30 and 1:30. Each camper we have a role in the show.
CORRECTION / UPDATE........PAYS $80 PER DAY, 8am-12:30pm. SORRY FOR THE MISTAKE!!! TEACHING ARTISTS NEEDED! We need a few teachers for this summer's Missoula Children's Theatre camp (June 19-22). If you are studying theatre or have theatre experience, please send us a resume or letter describing your background and interests in theatre for youth. Job would entail teaching ages 6-16 movement, improv, diction, scene work, etc. from 8:00am - 12:30pm Monday thru Thursday. Pays $80 per day for 4 days. Email to georgeculver1@gmail.com or mail to The Ritz Theatre, PO Box228, Talladega, AL 35161.
5th Annual Afternoon of Praise
SAVE THE DATE! The 5th Annual Afternoon of Praise is set for Sunday, August 20, 2017 at Talladega's Historic Ritz Theatre. Praise Experiences at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm to benefit The Red Door Kitchen and The Samaritan House - Talladega, Alabama.
The Ritz is presenting two screenings of Disney’s live action blockbuster, THE JUNGLE BOOK, this Saturday at 2:00 pm and 4:00pm. The 4:00pm screening will be shown in closed-caption for the deaf and hard of hearing. Thanks to sponsorship by Citizens Baptist Medical Center as an outreach to the community, admission to both screenings is FREE. JUNGLE BOOK was one of the biggest grossing film of 2016 with box office surpassing $900 million world-wide. And -- It just won the OSCAR for Best Special Effects! “A visual marvel that cuts a direct path to the heart” – Rolling Stone Magazine. In spite of the story’s highly regarded place in youth literature, this film has appeal for all ages. This film should not be confused with the animated version from the 1990s. Ritz executive director said “Jungle Book was one of my absolute favorite movie experiences over the last 12 months. It is a mesmerizing.”
One Night in Memphis (Presley, Perkins, Cash, and Lewis)
Just one more day before this amazing show, One Night in Memphis, recreating the moment when rock's music legends got together a jammed, comes to the Ritz. Tickets are moving fast, so don't miss out. Get tickets here: https://ritztalladega.ticketforce.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oopi-F5sZOg
Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues (Live)
Relive a piece of musical history this weekend at the Ritz: Elvis, Cash, Perkins and Lewis. One Night in Memphis being performed two nights in Talladega. http://ritztalladega.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDktBZzQIiU
Talladega's Historic Ritz Theatre
GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!: This is the week for One Night in Memphis. Black Jacket Symphony is not the only chance to hear great music at the Ritz. This epic performance brings four musical legends alive on our stage with something for every music-lover's tastes. Buy your tickets here: https://ritztalladega.ticketforce.com/ The show features over 90 minutes of pure rockabilly, country, gospel and rock and roll in an authentic and energetic presentation featuring nationally known talents in the lead rolls — including Brandon Bennett in the Elvis role which he played over a 5-year run of ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ in Chicago, and Blair Carman, the only Jerry Lee Lewis tribute performer invited to play at the 75th birthday party at the Killer’s home in Louisiana. Countless hits over the careers of Presley, Perkins, Lewis and Cash made all four American music icons. Anticipating the broad and enthusiastic appeal for this high-powered show, The Ritz booked two MEMPHIS performances. The evening’s all-American music features hits like Blue Suede Shoes, Folsom Prison Blues, Great Balls of Fire, Whole Lotta Shaking Going On, Shake Rattle and Roll, Don’t Be Cruel, Hound Dog and dozens more. What a night at The Ritz to relive the memories!
Timeline Photos
It was an historic and magical night on December 4, 1956 when Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash found themselves jamming at the legendary Sam Phillip’s Sun Studio in Memphis. Perkins was cutting a record that afternoon; Phillips had brought in new Sun signee Lewis to add keyboard; Elvis, who had moved on to RCA after his Ed Sullivan appearance, was making a courtesy call; and Cash just dropped by. Little did these emerging superstars, all in their pristine early prime, realize this pick-up jam session was being recorded and preserved forever as some of the very best music of that time. ONE NIGHT IN MEMPHIS recreates this accidental yet legendry jam session, and is the nation’s number one tribute show to Presley, Perkins, Lewis and Cash. http://ritztalladega.com/events/
2017 Spring Season
With all the Black Jacket Symphony news, don't forget we have a fantastic season at the Ritz lined up. If you like music, One Night in Memphis may just be your ticket! http://ritztalladega.com/events/
Tickets | The Black Jacket Symphony - Journey - Escape | Talladega's Historic Ritz Theatre
Once again the Black Jacket Symphony will be returning to the Ritz Theatre. This June 8, the BJS will be presenting Journey ESCAPE. After the great performance of Queen, this promises to be an outstanding show. One night only. Get Tickets Here https://ritztalladega.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=34
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