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The greatest sound a person in the northeastern United States can hear is "Free Wawa Coffee." Artistic Director, Bruce Curless of the Ritz Theatre Company makes sure to say this enticing phrase at-least once before he organizes a meeting for The Ritz's board of trustees. As sure as day follows night, a large pot of Wawa-brewed coffee awaits this dedicated group of people as they meet at Eight O'clock in the morning to discuss the various aspects of The Ritz.
There is no question that this unique group of people, led by President Ken Funkhouser of Haddon Heights, NJ, have a passion for providing the best experience for the performers, music-makers and skilled artists as well as the Ritz's audience members.
With August: Osage County, the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning play, being just weeks away from gracing the Ritz's stage, the Board of trustees realizes that it is going to take more than a pot of coffee to take their audience to new heights in Haddon Township. It is going to take pure passion, ingenuity and a top-notch group of savvy, eclectic people to launch the dreams and aspirations of thirteen performers, five designers, one director and one stage-manager. Naturally, the Ritz calls on the expert talents of Vicki Glembocki, Brian S. Keller and Mary Martello as their newest members of Ritz Theatre Company's board of trustees.
Vicki Glembocki, from Westmont, NJ, joins the board as a representative of the prestigious Philadelphia Magazine, and provides a fresh, current and collaborative persona to the Ritz board. Glembocki feels that theatre connects families to one-another and creates a community. Additionally, she feels it is fundamental for a community to see live theatre. "For me, we are constantly on our cell phones, typing on our computers and watching the T.V. People don't have the experience of the experience. People are part of theatre. Performers need audience members, and audience members need performers."
Representing TD Bank is Brian S. Keller of Marlton, NJ. Offering his counsel on finance, budget and fundraising, Keller's presence gives the board not only an expert opinion on these matters, but an extra peace of mind that these matters are in highly capable hands.
Adding prestige to the board of trustees from an actor's perspective is Barrymore Award winner and New Jersey resident, Mary Martello of Merchantville. Martello, having portrayed Violet Weston in Arden Theatre Company's production of August: Osage County, gives an enthusiastic, experienced and nurturing hand.
Remarking on her shift from performer to administrator, Martello states "I'm of an age to give back and learn about what happens on the other side of the table/office." Mary believes that the most important element of theatre is the connection between the actor and the audience, and will work with the board to ensure that actors can continue to make that connection five times a week on the stage of the Ritz. Martello relies on her favorite quote to help her with her new responsibilities "one reality is not enough."
Join the Ritz and the board in ushering in their latest production of Tracy Letts' August: Osage County, running September 12th- October 12th.
Tickets, $20.50-$33.50 plus a $2.50 Historic Preservation Fee. Schedule: Wednesdays: 9/25, 10/9 at 7:30pm; Thursdays: 9/12 at 7:30pm; Fridays: 9/13,9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11 at 8:00pm; Saturdays: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12 at 8:00pm; and Sunday Matinees: 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6 at 2:00pm.
Group rates available. Student rush seats $15. Assistive listening devices available, handicapped accessible. All seats reserved. Advanced Reservations: Ritz 24-hour ticket hotline (856)-858-5230. On the web at: www.ritztheatreco.org.
Since 1986, The Ritz Theatre Company has been producing an artistically excellent theatre experience for over a million Delaware Valley theatergoers, receiving numerous accolades, both for young audiences and for Main Stage offerings. The Ritz Theatre, originally a Vaudville Theatre built in 1927, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
