Historic South Jersey Theatre Hoping For Cash Infusion
By David Madden
OAKLYN, N.J. (CBS) -- A South Jersey theatre company is looking for a little help before funding issues get out of hand.
The Ritz Theatre, in Oaklyn (Camden County), is not in any danger of closing -- yet. But artistic director Bruce Curless says they do need an infusion of cash after charitable donations dropped and attendance dipped some 30 percent over the last five to six years.
"We put butts in the seat, we put dollars in the pocket," Curless (below) told KYW Newsradio today. "How hard is it to have a great night out?"
To that end a fundraiser is set for next month, a mix of entertainment they are calling "Rock the Ritz."
Details and tickets are available online at www.ritztheatreco.org.
Meanwhile, Curless is working on the grant front. He says $100,000 will put the company in the black for this year, and $300,000 to $400,000 would solve their long-term problem.
The Ritz opened in 1927 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
