Puttin' on the Ritz

We went to the movies last night!  I was in Ritzville yesterday morning for a meeting and noticed that Mary Poppins Returns was playing at the newly restored Ritz theater.  This is a movie that we wanted to see and we haven't been to the theater in ages.  When I was young our family often went to the Ritz to see movies.  One of the most exciting mail days was the arrival of the new theater bill for the Ritz.  We carefully planned what movies we were going to go see. 

Then in high school Reynald and I would often take in movies at the Ritz.  It was a rare occasion to head in to Spokane for a movie.  So going on a date last night to the Ritz brought back lots of wonderful memories, particularly since it has been so lovingly restored.  Tickets were $9 each and a large popcorn was $4!!!  We are going back next weekend to see On the Basis of Sex.  Why have waited so long to take advantage of this gem in our own backyard?

The restroom signs are still the same.

And the ladies lounge!  

Large popcorn bag!  All the radiators are still in place throughout the theater.

The inside of the entrance doors.  

Original sconce lighting along both sides.  The seats were removed, recovered and replaced.  The fabric behind the sconce lighting was also replace with a historically accurate fabric.

We never sat in the loge seating as kids, so why start now?

Exit signs still the same!

The new owners installed a stage in front of the screen to make the theater a bit more versatile.  They re-spaced the seating to allow for more leg room.  Even so, the theater still seats over 250.

We got a tour of the projection room.  This is the view from that room.

This is the fellow that now owns the Ritz.  They have purchased a state of the art projection system to accommodate digital films.  

Also state of the art sound system with surround sound etc.  Important for farmers with hearing loss, such as Reynald!

The view from the stage.  A fun performance venue.  Hmmmm......