Cannons hurling T-shirts into the crowd. Food vendors weaving through the aisles as festive music fills the air. The 2026 World Cup lighting up giant screens.
That’s the vision George Castro IV and his father, George Castro II, have for their 3,000-seat, Art Deco theater in downtown Elizabeth: part stadium, part festival, all spectacle.
“We see the Ritz as more than just a theater — it’s an entertainment hub for all types of events: concerts, interviews, sporting events and even live boxing matches,” said George Castro IV, 23, chief operating officer at The Ritz Theatre. “We’re currently preparing for the 2026 World Cup. With the final taking place at MetLife Stadium, we plan to host some of the biggest watch parties in the nation.”
President and CEO George Castro II, 60, and his son, Castro IV, own and operate Castro’s Ritz Theatre at 1148 E. Jersey St.
They have restored the historic building, carefully preserving its ornate architectural details.
Looking beyond traditional performances, the Castros have also expanded the venue’s reach by presenting a wide range of events and opening the theater to film projects, music videos and community discussions.
Netflix, HBO, and other major production companies have filmed at The Ritz multiple times, a testament, Castro II says, to the theater’s critically acclaimed acoustics.
The theater served as a location for “The Life of Sylvester Stallone,” as well as the recent Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet. The venue has also welcomed stars such as Tito Nieves, Victor Manuelle, Willie Colón, Vanessa Williams and Cyndi Lauper and Julio Iglesias.
Rihanna filmed her “Unfaithful” music video there, which has nearly half a billion views on YouTube.
History of the theater
According to historical records, the theater was originally built in 1865 as the Drake Opera House. It was a modest venue designed for small operas, built in an era before microphones existed. In the early 1900s, it became Proctor’s Theatre.
In 1926, architect Jacob Fabian purchased Proctor’s Theatre, already expanded from the original Drake Opera House, and developed it further into the structure that stands today.
Castro II says that over the decades, the theater became home to many legendary performers. In 1956, Frank Sinatra took the stage. Elvis Presley, Liza Minnelli, Ray Charles, Maya Angelou and other notable artists also performed there.
How the Castros took a chance
Castro II spoke about how he came to own the Ritz.
“We bought the theater in 1994,” he said. “It was one of those moments when, as they say, ‘God shows you the door, but it’s up to you to open it and walk through.’”
He explained that he and his brother, Maurice Castro, had purchased the broadcasting rights for the 1993 World Cup eliminations, which were being held in the United States for the first time. After attending the match where Colombia defeated Argentina 5-0, they sat in the balcony of the Ritz, admiring its beauty, and decided to buy it.
At the time, Castro II recalls, they didn’t have the resources to even consider purchasing such a large property.
“We met with the owner a few days later and when we told him we didn’t have any money — he thought we were crazy but also admired our boldness. I said to him, ‘Why don’t you give us the mortgage?’ And surprisingly, he thought it was a great idea. He hadn’t planned on selling the theater, but he agreed.”
In 2002, Castro II began major restorations to preserve the theater’s period architecture.
The theater’s design is distinctive. Rather than being deep, it is wide and semi-circular, giving every seat a close view of the stage. The orchestra seating features a four-foot pitch — the slope of the floor — from the stage to the back row, ensuring excellent sight lines and sound.
Since then, the Ritz has hosted countless shows, and Castro II said the support of the city has been invaluable.
“The mayor’s leadership has been pivotal,” he said. “He’s a visionary who understands the importance of the theater and the value it brings to the city. The Ritz Theatre contributes significantly to the local economy. A weekend of shows can bring in nearly 10,000 people, many of whom dine at nearby restaurants and stay in local hotels.”
Elizabeth’s Mayor Christian Bollwage has attended several performances at the Ritz over the years. He said the Ritz Theatre is a cornerstone of downtown Elizabeth’s economic vitality.
“The Ritz is more than a historic building” Bollwage said. “It’s a symbol of Elizabeth’s artistic spirit and a gathering place that celebrates our city’s rich cultural diversity.”
Castro II noted that the businesses surrounding the theater benefit directly from its events. When the Ritz hosts a concert or comedy show, many restaurants in the city’s Colombian enclave along Morris Avenue prepare for the influx of visitors from across the region.
“They’ll often go to a nice restaurant on Morris Avenue before the concert,” Castro II said. “Those restaurants are flooded with people from the tri-state area who are heading to the Ritz. And all that activity helps infuse the city’s economy.”
Kimberly Orozco said her family-run business has a strong relationship with the theater.
“When the Ritz has a show, we definitely feel it in the city. They bring a lot of big artists,” said Orozco, marketing director for Brisas restaurant. “We’re the official empanada supplier for the Ritz Theater, and any time they have an event, we get an order of 1,000 to 1,500 empanadas depending on the artist. We’ve had that partnership with them for a while now.”
A Stage for the community
Castro II uses the theater to serve the community, hosting cultural events and often offering the space free for fundraisers.
Elizabeth’s Councilwoman-at-large Patricia Perkins-Auguste, says the Ritz Theatre under Castro II’s leadership has been a resource for the entire community.
“If there’s a cultural event and a certain type of atmosphere is required, the Ritz is the venue, and George has always been generous,” Perkins-Auguste said.
Castro II paused as he reflected on his journey.
“I wasn’t born in the United States,” he said. “I was born in Colombia, but I love this country and this city. We are many different communities but we are one people, and that’s what makes this place so special.”
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