Ritz Theatre Company

by Deitra Oliver Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, presented by The Ritz Theatre Company, directed by Darryl S. Thompson, Jr., is nothing short of a triumph. Set in a fictional African-American tenement called Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, during the early 1920’s, the folk opera tells the story of Porgy, played by Stephan Burse, a disabled black man forced to live as a beggar, and his unlikely love affair with the free-spirited Bess, played by Erica Imani Liburd; both

by Mike McKeon Anyone remotely interested, as well as those with no interest at all in D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) needs to see this show. As a slight D&D “geek” myself I would be lying if I said I haven’t been excitedly awaiting She Kills Monsters. Just the idea of the show sounded fun to me as I tried to imagine different ways how anyone could bring D&D to life on stage. I must say, Ritz Theatre Company in Haddon Township, NJ went far beyond my imagination and their product

by Donald Toal People are exhausting. Of course, when we make this statement, we’re usually referring to the dreaded “general public,” but the people we choose to welcome into our lives are different, we tell ourselves. When we find our “person,” our other half, then everything falls into place and we become complete. Is it ever really that simple, though? A couple centuries of western civilization would tell us so. But how do we find that connection so easily in a m

by Lori Clark Picture this: it’s opening night of Rocky Horror Show at the Ritz Theatre, and we are at a nearby restaurant, enjoying pre-show margaritas. I’m people watching and take notice of some fellow patrons decked out in what I initially assumed were Halloween costumes. It was only after further inspection that it dawned on me…these people were in their Rocky Horror finest - fishnets, glitter, sequins, hats. The WORKS! Their energy and excitement were palpable, and i

by Stephen Kreal On Sunday, June 8th, I went to see the matinee performance of Angels in America: Perestroika at the Ritz Theater in Oaklyn. This production is the second half of the two-part story; the Ritz produced part 1 several months ago. The plays are written so that either play can be produced in isolation. Director Matthew Weil cast both plays with the exact same (outstanding) cast for both productions. The Ritz also included a summary page of the events of part one

by Stephen Kreal On Saturday, May 3rd, I went to see Sister Act at the Ritz Theater Company in Oaklyn. Sister Act is written by Cheri & Bill Steinkellner, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Glenn Slater, with additional Book Material by Douglas Carter Beane. The musical is based on the 1992 Touchstone Pictures motion picture, written by Joseph Howard. This Ritz Theatre Company’s production of Sister Act is Directed by Kyrus Keenan Westcott. The production was choreographed by

by Don Toal There is a clear reason why, more than any other works of classical theatre, the plays of William Shakespeare have persisted for centuries. They were written not only to entertain, but to explore ideas relevant to people from all walks of life, from kings to groundlings (the period term for the common folk). Those ideas, for good or for ill, never stop being relevant. The team at the Ritz Theatre Co in Haddon Township has clearly understood this with their sel

by Dominic Traini Last night I attended the Ritz Theater Company’s production of the 2013 Tony-Award-winning Kinky Boots. When I walked into the theater I was immediately in awe of the set design by Jennifer Donsky. It made very great use of the space, making Price and Son feel grand but also immersive, bringing the audience in to be one with the actors. I also took note of the choice to play ’80s pop songs before the show, setting the tone for the score written by ’80s sta

by Cassidy Scherz I have to admit, when I first agreed to review The Ritz Theatre’s production of Angels in America, I was slightly intimidated by this intense three-act, three-hour production. For those who have not had the privilege of reading Angels in America in their freshman year acting class, let me set the scene: Tony Kushner’s play opens in New York City in the year 1985, several months after President Ronald Reagan’s reelection. We are introduced to two couples - a

by M. Smith The clock strikes twelve, it’s midnight; signifying the end of a day, but the beginning of the next, almost like a fairytale, one that you may know well. A tale of magic, love, and standing up for what you believe in awaits you as Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella has just opened at the Ritz! If you too are a fan of fairy tales like this author, the story of Cinderella is not one that is too unfamiliar to you. For audiences who are not familiar with the tale, Ci

by Aimee Ferenz The Halloween spirits are busy at work at the Ritz Theatre in Oaklyn, NJ as they bring Stoker’s Dracula to life, dramatized by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston. This beautiful theater often finds great success in their various performances, and this is no exception. The audience is lured back into early 20th century England to Dr. Seward’s Sanitorium, where his daughter, Lucy, currently resides awaiting treatment for her anemia. Professor Van Helsing is

by Amber Kusching What’s the buzz? The first musical by Andrew Llyod Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage, “Jesus Christ Superstar” has wowed audiences for over 50 years. A timeless work, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, “Jesus Christ Superstar” follows the last wee

by Cassidy Scherz “Tonight” is the perfect night to stop by the Ritz Theatre Company to see their enthralling production of West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents. And “who knows”, you might just find yourselves as enchanted by this beautiful production as I was. This modernized Romeo and Juliet tells the story of Maria, a young immigrant girl from Puerto Rico who dreams of making a life for herself in America, and Tony, a boy from New Yo

by April Johnson I had the pleasure to review Ritz Theater’s 4th Annual One Act Play Festival on June 28th and 29th, 2024. This event was part of the New Works Initiative, a two-day theatrical experience bringing to life original pieces written by accomplished and promising playwrights from around the country. The theater had a black box setting which made us feel as though we were part of each production. Friday, June 28th, 2024 The Interview of Four Alien Abductees (Clas

by M. Smith When was the last time that you heard a tale? One that truly transported you to a land of fantasy that captured every waking moment that you were reading or listening to it. A story that you finished and still couldn’t stop imagining the world that you were just transported to and now are already debating about rereading just to find that same feeling and ability to get lost in your imagination. Well, the Ritz Theatre Company’s production of Gint by Romulus Lin

by Amber Kusching A shoulder-padded, scrunchie-rules, Westerberg High-wearing junta: Heather, Heather and Heather, the hottest and cruelest girls in all of Ohio. But misfit Veronica Sawyer, who was graciously taken under their wing, rejects their evil regime for a new boyfriend, the dark and sexy stranger J.D., who plans to put the Heathers in their place—six feet under. Heathers: The Musical, with book, music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, is a darkly co

by Aimee Ferenz Murder on the Nile opened at the Ritz Theater on April 5th and proves to be a gleaming success. This murder mystery play is based off of the Agatha Christie 1937 book, Death on the Nile. It follows the story of socialite Kay Mostyn and her new husband, Simon, as they avoid Jacqueline de Severac- ex-friend who has been following them across the continent. When a gun is fired and a key character is found dead, it is left to the remaining characters to sort ou

by Alex Davis The Ritz Theatre Co.’s production of Fiddler on the Roof finds its success in its simplicity. Walking into the auditorium Friday night to be greeted with a mostly bare, dimly lit, simple framework of a set immediately evoked the modest village of Anatevka, and set the stage for what was to come. Fiddler on the Roof, written by the team of Bock, Harnick, and Stein, has been a moving, well-regarded classic since its debut on Broadway in 1964. 60 years later, i

by Brian K. Herrick Originally staged in 1977 at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, Working is a loose adaptation of “Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day And How They Feel About What They Do” by Studs Terkel. It highlights various individuals takes on their jobs, their careers themselves, and the difference between the two. With a book by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, the fascinating literally element is the large array of composers attached to this piece in it’s man

by April Johnson Who knew that one day in the studio could change one’s life, whether for good or detriment. August Wilson meticulously penned this masterpiece as a part of his Pittsburgh Cycle; however, it differs in location setting. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” takes place in 1927 at a studio in Chicago. Although this piece revolves around a factual character, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, it is a fictional account of events that took place in one day. The story begins as Irvin

by Lori Clark Hey there, fellow rockers, and theater enthusiasts! It was a thrilling night for those of us who have a deep love for the 1980s, as the stage of the Ritz Theatre in Oaklyn, NJ, was transformed into the Bourbon Room, the quintessential, smoke-filled, rock and roll club, and transported us back in time with an electrifying production of "Rock of Ages." "Rock of Ages" is a jukebox musical set in the 1980s on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. The story revolves aro

by Alex Davis You know SpongeBob SquarePants. It’s near impossible not to. Even if you’ve never seen a single episode of the Nickelodeon cartoon, you’ve heard the iconic laugh of the lovable sponge. He is inescapable. So inescapable that my spell check feature accepts his name without a little red squiggly line. And in 2016, SpongeBob SquarePants took to the stage in a joyous show about a potentially Bikini-Bottom-ending event, set to the music of a vast array of artists and

Friday June 30 by Cassidy Scherz Saturday July 1 by April Johnson FRIDAY JUNE 30 - CASSIDY SCHERZ (scroll below for July 1) The Ritz Theatre Company’s Third Annual One-Act Play Festival is unlike any that we’ve seen in the past. Presented in two acts with one 15 minute intermission, this year’s show strays from the short comedies we have previously enjoyed. Instead, we are presented with intricate and thought-provoking pieces that explore self discovery, relationships, and f

by Cassidy Scherz and Richard Conway “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” Distinctly stated by the famed writer, William Shakespeare, this quote perfectly describes the Ritz Theatre Company’s hilarious production of “I Hate Hamlet.” While this show will certainly have you rolling in your seat, it also dives into the struggle of finding a balance between passion and comfort. It poses an uncomfortable question that we often ask ourselves: Is it more important to find s