Bruce Curless, who founded Ritz Theatre Company in 1985, has died at age 78 October 27, 2026, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Bruce was the founder, producing artistic director, manager, and mentor of the Ritz Theatre Company for nearly 40 years where he transformed an historic, Greek Revival movie house in Haddon Township, NJ into a vibrant community performing arts center. Among his myriad of accomplishments, he was a two-time Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award winner for his children’s show character Ritzy the Wolf in 1993 and 1994. He was a guest director at The University of Pennsylvania, Foundation Theatre, Off Broad Street Theatre, and Rowan University. Bruce’s vision, skill, and heart-on-his-sleeve stewardship have left an indelible mark on the region, the theatre, and everyone’s hearts.
