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,

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