The Ritz Theatre brings entertainment and enrichment to community – The Beacon

BY SHERI TRUSTY

While many people visit The Ritz Theatre just to be entertained, the theater’s vision is to touch lives at a much deeper level. The Ritz mission statement shows it wants to entertain and enrich:

“The mission of The Ritz Theatre is to entertain and enrich people by providing an historic center for creative expression, education, social interaction, and community development. We also hold as our purpose the promotion of an appreciation of the arts along with providing a greater understanding of our heritage and culture through a diversity of programs designed to benefit the people in Northwest Ohio.”

Creative expression isn’t just brought to the theater by outside acts. Local performers also find an outlet for creativity through two groups: The Ritz Players and the Ritz Teen Thespian Guild. The Ritz Players, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, is a community theater which presents full productions every year. The Teen Thespian Guild gives high school students the opportunity to engage in live theater.

The Righteous Brothers will bring their farewell tour performance to The Ritz on Oct. 26. (Submitted photo)

“About 20 years ago, budgets were cut in school systems, and the arts were the first to go,” said Ritz Theatre Executive Director Michael Strong. “Some local teens decided to form a group of their own, and a few years later they came to me. They’ve been here ever since.”

The Ritz’s focus on education has had a successful outlet in the theater’s Discovery Series for about 30 years. Each year, the theater opens its doors to local schoolchildren. Strong said the program is beneficial to teachers as well as students.

“It helps teachers teach,” he said. “We provide the teachers with an instructional manual for each production so they can prepare their students before they come.”

The Ritz’s mission to provide opportunities for social interaction is more vital than ever.

Country music star Josh Turner will perform at The Ritz on Feb. 28. (Submitted photo)

“It’s important to have the sort of place where people can interact with people instead of screens,” Strong said. “People have forgotten that words make a difference.”

Community development has a twofold impact through The Ritz. First, the public utilizes the theater for many events, from dance recitals to public meetings. Secondly, The Ritz contributes to the local economy, bringing $1.6 million in economic impact annually.

“The night we have a show, all the restaurants are full. All the hotels are full,” Strong said. “When Michael Bolton is here, it’s not just Michael Bolton. It’s all the people surrounding the theatre.”

The Ritz Theatre offers a full schedule of upcoming performances, including a farewell tour by The Righteous Brothers on Oct. 26, John Schneider of “The Dukes of Hazzard” and “Smallville” on Nov. 2, and country music star, Josh Turner, on Feb. 28.

“The Nutcracker is coming back this year, and we’ll have tribute bands, swing music and comedy performances,” Strong said. “We have a good variety of things. There’s something for everybody.”

For more information on The Ritz Theatre, look for an insert inside this week’s Beacon or visit www.ritztheatre.org.