A gift to the early 20th century, the ritz theater has changed the way people spend their leisure time for many more decades to come. The ritz was the first to play moving pictures, silent films, and then sound; accompanied by orchestras and organs. Movies were invented to inform and also to entertain and help those watching remember the good times and forget the bad times. Everyone loves the movies and as the movie business grew, so did the places people went to see them. Thus became grand movie palaces. The Ritz was and continues to be a part of American history for people of all ages and walks of life as one of the most famous grand movie palaces. There’s something for everyone at the Ritz.
These large grand theaters were truly built in magnificent excess. This was at a time in life when where you went to the movies was just as important as the movie you were seeing itself. The Ritz was opened on December 20th, 1928 and was dubbed “Tiffin’s quarter-million-dollar movie palace”. On opening day over 1,500 patrons packed the theater to listen to the Ritz Quality Orchestra and lay their eyes on the majesty of this modern marvel. The Ritz is still in similar condition with only safety measures changing the Ritz in the slightest, giving everyone who visits it today a trip back in time to when theaters themselves were often part of or stole the show.
Downtown Tiffin had three theaters in operation in the year 1928 before the Ritz was built. Of the four theaters in Tiffin of the 1920’s and 1930’s the Ritz is the only reminder of an era long gone. Renovated in the 1990’s it is almost in original condition as it was the year it was built. You can now join the thousands of patrons who enjoy the majesty of the Ritz while watching phenomenal plays, orchestras, and films.
Just as in the early 1920’s and 1930’s tickets are sold at the Box Office in the front of the theater and there will be attendants to help and walk you to your seats before the curtain opens. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day the Box Office is not open on Saturdays. Additionally the Box Office is open an hour prior to each show for tickets sales exclusively for that performance and closes an hour after the beginning of the performances opening curtain.
The Ritz even offers food and beverages for its protons before and during the show, such as wine, beer, ciders and nonalcoholic drinks as well as a cult classic, popcorn. They also serve small sandwiches, veggies, and hummus. Lastly they offer bars and brownies for those with a sweet tooth. There two sandwiches are Ficelle and Fromage Ficelle sandwiches. The Fricelle has sweet butter and varied salami, while the Fromage Ficelle adds cheese and arugula with red onions in addition to the Ficelle ingredients. This is all thanks to the partnership with Surdyk’s Catering. They create amazing foods and appetizers for the Ritz as well as other events and places. Visiting the Ritz theater is a historical event for all of those who come near and far to be part of our great cinema and musical history. This October join us for All About Joe on October 1st or The Beatles VS Stones on October 5th.The world famous comedy, The Man Who Came To Dinner will be in the theater on the 21st, 22nd, 29th or 30th for your enjoyment as well. If you’re worried about tickets running out you can grab yours now online for an additional six dollar charge before the doors open for these fascinating and entertaining events. Join us in being a monumental part of American entertainment history.