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NEWBERRY — At one time the Ritz Theater bustled with activity but now it is seldom used.

The theater was once the movie hub on Main Street with the community packing the seats.

Over time the theater was moved to Wilson Road and became vacant.

Throughout the years the Newberry Community Players have called the building home but the cost of upkeep forced the actors to take their productions on the road.

They also put the theater on the market.

The theater has been toured by potential investors over 20 times but none of the deals have gone through.

The community players have decided to no longer keep the theater on the active market but agree that it is still for sale.

And with the move they will be producing several plays in the Ritz in the upcoming months.

But putting plays back in the Ritz is not an easy task.

The building also needs to be brought up to fire codes with the installation of new fire extinguishers, emergency lighting just to name a few items.

Also the group must work to clean clutter out of the building.

“It will not happen over night,” said the players director Ellen Hunt.

The players are also looking for inventive ways to use the building and get more productions in it.

In addition to plays, the players will also hold a free movie for the community during the holidays.

They are also renting the building for other productions.

One of those productions will be Mama’s Blue Dress which is a band out of Nashville.

Mama’s Blue Dress will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday with local Codi Lester being the warm up act at 7 p.m. And there will be an after party at The Flying Pie.

The Nashville band has played with George Strait, Terri Clark and Diamond Rio.

The tickets are $12.50 and available at The Flying Pie or by calling 276-1501.

Also those interested in renting the Ritz can call Hunt at 924-7158.