BY SHERYL BROWN
The Ritz Theater in Sanford is turning 100, and we’re ready to celebrate. Our story is a community story. We invite you to share your personal recollections and experiences about visiting The Ritz Theater, over the decades, to be included in our Ritz Theater Oral History Project.
Maybe you grew up watching films here, were inspired by a musical performance, have a special memory, or you worked here, were a volunteer, or maybe our theater was the first time you were onstage — we’d love for you to tell us all about it through our online form at www.ritztheatersanford.com/100.
Board Member David Scott, also the project’s coordinator, reminisces about his decades-long involvement with The Ritz, saying, “My story contains multiple memories spanning 67 years.”
He continues sharing that in 1955 he saw his first movie at The Ritz, The Silver Chalice with Paul Newman. He also remembers several date nights in the 1960s.
Scott also adds, “I’m honored to have been involved in the major restoration and revitalization of the ‘Grand Lady.’” He’ll be adding his detailed stories to the project and invites the community to tell theirs.
We are collecting stories all year long to be included in a 100-year history book. To help us kick this party off with a bang, early story submissions may be selected to be showcased on our website and be a part of our video history project. We will continue to collect and share community stories throughout the year, so keep your stories coming.
If you have any personal photographs taken at the theater, news clippings or historic playbills, we’d appreciate seeing those as well.
To submit your story, fill out this online form at www.ritztheatersanford.com/100 or send it in writing. If you have questions or would like to submit images or documents, call the box office at 407-321-8111.
The theater is at 201 S. Magnolia Ave. in historic downtown Sanford. The office is open weekdays 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
