Ritz update, consumer survey

The Ritz Theatre has updated its event schedule, with the annual theatre summer camp activities cancelled for this season. The annual Ritz Theatre and Missoula Children's Theatre summer camp was scheduled to start next week. The 2020 summer camp has been cancelled. Dates are scheduled for the 2021 season next June with registration for the camp to start in January 2021. According to Bruce Hannam, Ritz marketing director, the theatre will be holding off on announced the 2020-2021 season until there is further clarity on how to proceed with large gatherings of people in the facility. "We currently have some artists and dates in place, but we recognize that many of them are likely to change," Hannam said. "We are prepared to announce upcoming events fairly soon after we get some clarity on any restrictions and requirements that need to be in place to have hundreds of people gather at The Ritz." The following is a list of cancelled and/or rescheduled dates for events this summer: • The Ritz Theatre Box Office is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. • Thursday Night Bingo at Somerset has been cancelled until further notice. • Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone – 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16. Previously purchased tickets will be good on the new date. • Thomas Pandolfi, piano – performance is cancelled. Pandolfi will be back next season. • Friends of The Bob and Tom Show Comedy Tour – Rescheduled with the same comedians. The new date is 7:30 p.m., Oct. 30, 2020 at 7:30 pm. Previously purchased tickets will be good on the new date. • Trace Adkins – This performance has been rescheduled. The new new date is 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Previously purchased tickets will be good on the new date. • Chuck Negron – This program has been rescheduled. The new date is 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Previously purchased tickets will be good on the new date. • REZA-The Edge of Illusion – This performance has been rescheduled. The new date is 3 p.m. Feb. 7, 2021. Previously purchased tickets will be good on the new date. • Chicks with Hits – May 15 – This performance has been postponed. The new date is Aug. 8. Previously purchased tickets will be good on the new date. • Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – July 10, 11, 18, 19 – These performances have been cancelled. If you have tickets to a performance that has been cancelled, please visit www.ritztheatre.org/refund and fill out the form. If you have tickets to a performance that has been rescheduled, tickets will be able to be redeemed for the new date. If that is not possible, please visit www.ritztheatre.org/refund and fill out the form. (Consumer survey sidebar) There will be 16 performing arts centers and venues within Ohio, including The Ritz Theatre, who will be coming together seeking feedback from respective communities on a consumer confidence survey. This survey is being implemented as a response to venues who are designed to bring together larger gathers of people and who are being hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state health guidelines. The survey is designed to gauge when audiences will be comfortable coming back to theatres and venues to enjoy live entertainment again, whether it be a concert, Broadway show or family entertainment. According to Michael Strong, executive director of The Ritz Theater, "While several studies have been done on a national level, we know that every state and community is reacting differently to the pandemic and it's important that we understand how Ohioans and our local audience are reacting." Participating venues whose seating capacities range from 901 to 2,592 include: • Akron Civic Theater (Akron) • Canton Palace Theatre (Canton) • Clark State Performing Arts Center (Springfield) • Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (Findlay) • Marion Palace Theatre (Marion) • The Midland Theatre (Newark) • Oberlin College and Conservatory (Oberlin) • Peoples Bank Theatre (Marietta) • Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas (New Philadelphia) • Sandusky State Theatre (Sandusky) • Stocker Arts Center (Elyria) • Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium (Athens) • Valentine Theatre (Toledo) • Van Wert Live at the Niswonger (Van Wert) • The Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center (Lima) Surveys are being distributed via email and social media to existing customers of each venue. More information on The Ritz Theatre can be found at ritztheatre.org. The Ritz Theatre is located at 30 S. Washington St, Tiffin, OH. For event updates and additional information visit our web site at www.ritztheatre.org