Ritz Theatre Founder Bruce Curless Dies at 78

Curless founded the Ritz Theatre Company in 1985, transforming an old performance venue that once hosted vaudeville, located along White Horse Pike, into a home for community theater and a training ground for generations of performers. The company began its first season in 1986, and Curless created Ritzy the Wolf, the children’s character he played many times and for which he received two Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.

Colleagues described Curless as a central figure in South Jersey theater, with ties to artists and theaters across the region. Matthew Weil, the Ritz’s associate artistic director and production manager, said Curless helped spread theater talent throughout South Jersey and called him the backbone of the area’s arts scene.

Those who worked with him also remembered his personal warmth. Former Ritz employee Sara Viniar said Curless treated her as a whole person, taking time to talk with her when she was having a difficult day. Weil described him as a mentor who encouraged him to recognize his own abilities.

Curless met his wife, Kim, an opera singer, at the Ritz. Their daughter, Roberta, began appearing on its stage as a young child and is now a choreographer and director.

Weil is preparing to take over as the Ritz’s producing artistic director. He said he does not intend to imitate Curless, but to build his own approach alongside the legacy Curless leaves behind.