The Ritz Theater

10 W Main St
Shawnee, OK 74801

The Ritz Theater

Address:
10 W Main St
Shawnee, OK 74801
Phone:
405-585-7778
Phone:
405-585-7779

The Ritz Theater was originally built in 1897 as a dry good store and later served as a boarding house. It was opened as a theater in 1913 and officially became The Ritz in 1926 after several years of being known as The Cozy Theater, playing "moving and talking pictures" as early as 1911. The Ritz remains open today serving as a venue for performing arts and various events throughout the year. One of Oklahoma's oldest operating theaters, The Ritz is no stranger to ghost tales and haunting stories.

Many believe The Ritz is haunted by the ghost of one of the theater's early projectionists. Leo Montgomery worked in the projector box in the early 1900s and lived in the apartment above the theater. One day, when a movie reel kept spinning even after the film ended, it was discovered Leo had died tragically of a heart attack during the show.

Those who have experienced flickering lights and strange voices inside will say they believe it's also haunted by some former boarding house residents. The old theater once served as a boarding house and is thought to be inhabited by a few spirits who lived there more than 100 years ago. One in particular is a ghost named Amelia, who is said to have caught pneumonia and died in the boarding house and now her restless soul wanders the property.

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Pricing

Varies by events

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the pricing listed above, prices are subject to change without notice.

Amenities

Hours

Hours vary by performance.
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