June 2011 - The Ritz Theatre.

1930 - Inside Procenium

Revitalizing the Ritz Theatre.

By Monica Sawyer

The Ritz Theatre is coming back to life! Finally! If you don’t know about The Ritz, then you are in for a treat. This amazing theatre was built in 1929 and was once the finest in the state, host to films, vaudeville, USO shows, tons of music and drama, and most recently, ghost hunts! Closed in 1989, the Ritz sat crumbling until Monica McLeod Sawyer discovered the old girl sitting there, empty and sad, waiting to be revived.

“I was doing some soul-searching Downtown, trying to figure out what my purpose was in Corpus Christi,” Monica recalls. “I was actually considering moving away, but knew there was something bigger in my future… The side door, normally barred shut, was mysteriously open. I couldn’t resist the temptation to explore. What I found blew me away and almost brought me to tears! Here sat a gorgeous historic theatre, ceiling painted like the sky, walls like the sides of buildings, red velvet seats, urns inset in arched windows, made to look like you were sitting in a Spanish courtyard. I couldn’t believe that something this amazing still existed in Corpus Christi without anyone really knowing about it. I guess it had been closed so long (at that point almost 20 years), it had just faded from memory.”

In 2006, Monica Sawyer formed Corpus Christi PATCH (Positive Action Towards Cultural Heritage) to restore The Ritz and to develop, foster and promote the arts as valuable experiences, central to the lives of the community. For the last 5 years, the CCPATCH board and volunteers have worked to clean up the theatre and gain title to the building. This past Christmas, wishes were granted as the non-profit received a long-awaited gift of ownership of The Ritz Theatre from Mr. Robert Rowling (TRT Holdings and Omni Hotels). The donation was considered a huge accomplishment and a major milestone, especially since so many people were convinced it would never happen. Good thing Monica and the board didn’t listen to those nay-sayers! Now the real work has begun as CCPATCH rallies to raise millions of dollars to complete a full-scale historic restoration of the 82-year-old landmark. But is it worth it? Experts say yes, without a doubt. Time and time again, restored theatres have proven to increase economic development and serve as major catalysts for Downtown redevelopment across the country, and healthy Downtowns have a direct impact on surges in job growth.

This summer launches the “Revival” initiative for The Ritz. CCPATCH’s three-phase plan consists of “Revival”, raising the money for “Restoration”, the full-scale rehabilitation of the structure, and “Raising the Curtain” the last phase of fundraising and program planning before the grand opening. The group hopes to complete the project within 5 years, but that really depends on fundraising. CCPATCH will utilize many avenues of funding such as private donations and event revenue, historic tax credits, grants and public funding sources.
This summer, fans of The Ritz will get a chance to support the project in important ways. CCPATCH has planned three exciting events to jumpstart the Revival phase. A cleanup, documentary film kickoff and a huge fundraiser entertainment event are now on the calendar.

Photo by New Wave Photography

Clean Up The Ritz – Saturday June 11th, 9am to noon, 715 N. Chaparral Street

The first event is one in need of volunteers willing to get their hands dirty! Anyone who wants to help is welcome. Volunteers will be ripping out the last of the old carpet, cleaning the building, retouching the mural and fixing up the lobby. The Junior League has sponsored the last two big cleanups, filling 4 giant dumpsters of trash. Old seats, costumes, sets, marquee letters, as well as programs, scripts and old photos have been salvaged from the building. CCPATCH will one day display some of the old relics. Brian Devaney of EMD Services is sponsoring the event, keeping the air clean while volunteers work. Jennifer and Larry Williams are opening up Dr. Rockits next door to provide the volunteers with refreshments, bathrooms and a break from the heat.

Remember The Ritz – Friday, July 1st, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at The Ritz (715 N. Chaparral St.), in conjunction with DTown’s First Friday ArtWalk

The entire community is being called to tell their personal stories about The Ritz. CCPATCH is starting a documentary film and would like anyone who has attended an event or worked in The Ritz to come tell their story at the “Remember The Ritz” event sponsored by the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. The group would also like to hear from supporters about why they want to see The Ritz restored. Image Cinema is donating two of their Photo Booths (turned into video booths) for the event. Derrick Perrin from Big Box Pro and Danney Boren from D&P Photography and Videography will also be on hand to film and follow guests around as they reminisce about the theatre and explore the old building. Refreshments will be provided by the Corpus Christi Chamber. Come be a part of this historic event.

Dine with The Ritz and Famous – a huge night of entertainment – Thursday, July 14th, 6:30 p.m., Solomon Ortiz Center

The first major fundraiser for The Ritz is “Dine with The Ritz and Famous”, a dinner and show featuring 8 professional impersonation acts: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Billy Holiday, Judy Garland, Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, Diana Ross, Reba McEntire and CHER! Aaron Davis will be Emcee and the evening is sponsored by Josh Salinas and Company as well as The Ortiz Center, La De Da Events and Dr Rockstar. There will be a silent auction, Image Cinema Photo Booths, and CCPATCH promises the evening will be a night guests will never forget. Table sponsorships are available and tickets can be purchased online at www.ccritz.com/events.html. Come support The Ritz (and write a big check for the cause) on this fun-filled night.

CCPATCH has a tough road ahead, but one that is worth the tenacity and effort. Once restored, The Ritz will be a very visible sign of growth and activity for Downtown and inspire more businesses and activities to thrive there. Support The Ritz today. Visit www.ccritz.com for more info or call Monica Sawyer at 361-887-6055.