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It was what they might call in show business a cruel irony.
On the same day the City Council zeroed out the city subsidy for the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, the man who along with his partner did more than anybody to make the Z the heart of the New Bedford performing arts scene for 30 years died in a tragic accident.
Armand Marchand, 82, succumbed on June 24 in what playwrights might call a sad perfect ending. He died in a harrowing accident at Penn Station after traveling by train to New York City, where he regularly went to scout theatrical performances. Around midnight earlier that day, the New Bedford City Council — after three councilors switched their votes without public explanation — approved eliminating this fiscal year’s city subsidy to the Z, which amounted to $583,996.
Rosemary Gill, the Zeiterion president and CEO, quickly sounded the alarm that the nonprofit that has long run the theater might have to bring down its own flood lights. The Zeiterion is in the midst of a $37 million renovation of the city-owned building, the vast majority of which will be paid by a combination of non-city taxpayers (federal, state, and private fundraising). The rescue, however, is dependent on a subsidy from the city to make ends meet, although the bulk of renovation funds will decrease over the next seven years.
For those who loved Armand and George Charbonneau’s productions, and all the other wide variety of programming that the Zeiterion brings to New Bedford every year, with enormous benefits to the quality of life in this out-of-the-way city on Massachusetts’ South Coast, the twin breaking stories were a double heartbreak.
It was Armand, who along with his husband George, who had been responsible for what was perhaps the Z’s best-known programming, the New Bedford Festival Theatre. As regular as clockwork each summer, the musical troupe would raise its curtains for two weeks at the downtown theater.
Armand was the executive director and George the artistic director of the Festival Theatre, and they together packed Greater New Bedford folks of all classes into the restored downtown vaudeville house for generations.
Retired New Bedford English teachers and drama coaches, Armand and George produced shows at the Z that won multiple awards for quality. In 2012, the Festival Theatre’s performances of “Hairspray” won the Moss Hart Trophy for the Best Professional Production in New England, and in 2019, “Mamma Mia!” broke the Zeiterion’s own all-time box-office record.
It is hard to get your arms around what the City Council of our small city was thinking when it killed the entire budget.
Longtime At-Large Councilor Linda Morad, who this week announced her retirement after 20 years of hard-working service to New Bedford, seemed to be arguing that working-class people don’t show up at the Zeiterion. She also dismissed out of hand the Z’s contention that it brings $10 million to $11 million of annual economic benefit to the city.
“Don’t give me all this bullshit about what the Z does for downtown,” she said in arguing for the cuts. “I want you to go to Coggeshall Street and find a person that’s going to the Z on a performance night.”
It’s hard for me to understand Morad’s point of view. She has acknowledged that her own uncle was a regular benefactor of the Zeiterion and attended its performances. She says she has an ideological opposition to the city being involved in the running of a theater and cited that as her “principle.” Fair enough. But other city residents, of course, have different ideologies and different principles.
In the past 10 years, the Festival Theatre has staged productions of such popular Broadway vehicles as “Nunsense,” “The Wiz,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.”
I was at their 2016 production of “Grease,” starring professional local singer Samantha Johnson, and I can tell you that its production values took my breath away. To be able to see that high quality of musical theater, right in New Bedford, seems a rare treasure.
Sure, the Zeiterion is also home to higher-brow fare like the wonderful New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, which each year fills the downtown venue with a wall of classical music from the ages. But there is also plenty of quality lower-brow fare at the Z too. Courtesy of a friend, I saw a Queen revival band a couple years ago, and you would have sworn Freddie Mercury himself was belting out the oldies.
The Zeiterion’s value to New Bedford goes beyond that. Active in the city’s school system, the nonprofit says that through its workshops and field trips it will reach every city school child by the time they graduate. The theater has also long had a program for EBT card-holders to see programming for $5 a ticket.
Almost more astonishing than the comments of Morad were the ones made by Ward 4 Councilor Derek Baptiste, whose own ward includes the Z building, in explaining his change of mind to take away the Z money.
Baptiste told The New Bedford Light’s Colin Hogan that he didn’t really want to vote for the theater’s subsidy a year ago September but that he was pressured to do so.
“I represent the people of this city, and I want to see more given back to my city and to the community,” Baptiste said. He talked about directing more money to “the neighborhoods” but did not specify where.
It’s no secret that there is a feeling by some that too much government money goes to downtown New Bedford and not enough to the neighborhoods. I would describe this point-of-view in its best manifestation as connected to legitimate fears of gentrification in the center city. But I think those concerns can be avoided with good planning. And rising real estate costs in New Bedford are certainly due to much more than the government grants going to the Zeiterion. I don’t think the answer is to eliminate funding for the vehicle that is the heart of an arts district that has done so much for the city’s revitalization as a whole.
There aren’t as many big commercial venues or nonprofits in the neighborhoods as in the downtown. If you press people about the varied sections of the city, they will talk about better road upkeep or lowering property taxes.
Yes, the roads in New Bedford could certainly be better and more quickly maintained, and we all want lower taxes when possible. But do you really want to close the Z to accomplish that? I don’t.
There is also a feeling by some on the council that the city should not be subsidizing operations that cannot be profitable on their own. I would place Morad and Ward 3 Councilor Shawn Oliver in this category — they genuinely do not want to see government involved in activities that a lot of the rest of us are fine with. There’s an extended list of spending that councilors opposed to the Z rattle off — the municipal zoo, the airport, the golf course — that they also don’t like. They want to privatize them all.
I’d describe Councilor Maria Giesta as the moving force of this wing. She proposed killing the entire zoo budget on cut night.
I’ll disagree with this approach. Capitalism is a fine system and I like to think I support it, but it certainly can’t deliver equitably on all the needs of civilized society. Certainly not in a place like New Bedford.
Zeiterion President Rosemary Gill has pointed out that fine arts theaters in mid-sized cities like New Bedford almost always need some subsidy. Council President Shane Burgo, the only character on the council you could describe as any kind of a progressive, told me “it was shocking” to him when the council voted to completely eliminate the Zeiterion’s subsidy along with some other operating expenses. It happened just at midnight, he said, and the council quickly moved on. Burgo had proposed his own much smaller ($73,000) cut to the theater’s utilities.
The fact that Burgo was shocked by the axing of the Z budget is telling. A number of years ago, the council stopped publicizing its proposed cuts to the budget ahead of time. That to me seems designed to avoid pressure from people wanting to save this or that program. But the result is that there is now no time for any public discussion of any proposed cuts.
I don’t know. From what I’ve seen of privatization in New Bedford, it’s not an optimum substitute for government. The municipal trash-hauling service we presently have had rapidly escalating costs. And part of the problem is that there are only so many outfits that can perform municipal waste pick-up, so not a lot of competitive bids. I’m not sure a struggling city like New Bedford would be better off jettisoning things like the Zeiterion theater in terms of public good, or that the private sector could even perform its role.
Armand Machand and George Charbonneau brought us wonderful entertainment these last 30-plus years at a downtown venue that would not have been available had the city not stepped in and saved and subsidized the Zeiterion theater. We will miss Armand terribly and are especially heartbroken by the circumstances surrounding his untimely passing.
It’s more than disheartening, however, that on the day Armand Marchand made his final exit from New Bedford, the City Council walked away from everything he helped create.
A celebration of Armand Machand’s life will be held at a yet-to-be announced date in September.
Mayor Jon Mitchell has resubmitted the subsidy for the Zeiterion, along with other budget items, in a supplemental budget that the council will consider on Thursday. If one of the six councilors — Derek Baptiste, Brian Gomes, Naomi Carney, Maria Giesta, Linda Morad and Shawn Oliver — change their votes, the subsidy will be saved.
The New Bedford Festival Theatre will present the musical “Spelling Bee” Aug. 8-17. Tickets are available at www.nbfestivaltheatre.com.
Email Jack Spillane at jspillane@newbedfordlight.org.
Linda Morad…….shame on you!
Let ignorance reign! The few things that have brought light and dignity to this city are categorically being extinguished. That money will never be dispersed into the neighborhoods, the drug issue will never be corrected by city intervention and the few things that we have to bring us light and joy will be extinguished. I suggest mass demonstrations in and during council meetings – This is simply right wing meanness, another example of the notion that governments are businesses, not chosen by the people for the people. I’m so freaking tired of bean counters who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. VOTE THEM OUT!
No one commented about the great Z column. Cutting its funding won’t ruin the theatre but it makes it much harder for it to do well. I’m sure the people who voted not to fund the theatre have no difficulty going to events there.
Peggi Medeiros
New Bedford’s best days once again seem to be behind it if this city council is allowed to remain in place. Sure, no one with other options will ever want to live, invest or open a business there as long as councilors continue their war on the arts, knowledge(library and schools) and public safety but at least the slum lords and North End tract home owners won’t have to pay more in taxes. There’s certainly no risk of a private sector economy developing with this crew in charge, besides perhaps some more pawn shops and check cashing shops.
If the light wants to write an article and praise this gentleman for his work and dedication to the arts that is one thing, but to suggest there is any link to the council making budget cuts is not in good taste. Everyone knows this city is broke, it has been financially mismanaged, and city residents and businesses cannot afford new taxes.
Sometimes the decisions by politicians leave a bad taste in the lives of the community. The irony that Mr Spillane points out in his editorial column is quite clear…(& well done).
William Shakespeare would be proud!
Here’s the kicker I wish Jack put in- on Thursday night’s council agenda are two items related the Marchand and the Z, including one by the traitors Gomes requesting Rosemary Gill to appear before the Council to discuss hanging a portrait of Marchand in the Z’s lobby “as a tribute to a man who gave it all to the art of the theater through his productions.” Beyond irony – repulsive, contradictory, and disappointing.
It is time for every voting citizen to do just that, VOTE.
The smug attitude, vulgarity and arrogant attitude of people hired by the people, think that they can walk all over us. It is time to clean house from top to bottom. The cost of living in New Bedford is crazy and yet the city council pulls the rug out of the Z?? What are they thinking? I just cannot get over this and probably never will. It leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth about the leadership in New Bedford
Irony is not lost, and clearly taste is individual. Thank you, NewBedford Light. Mr Roger’s, buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Mr. Cabana everyone has to buckle up, the facts show the city has been financially mismanged, after 10 years of this administration you cannot expand city government on Non Profits, State Agencies, State Aid, and spending money the city doesn’t have. Raising taxes every year will only drive businesses out of town and continue to make homeowners and renters struggle.
Not everyone eats fish, but the city supports its fishing industry. Not everyone goes bathing, but the city supports its beaches. Not everyone has a boat, but the city maintains a marina and moorings. Not everyone has a plane, but the city maintains an airport. Not everyone has kids in school but the city maintains a school system. These and other activities are supported by the city because they promote the economy; they are basic to economic health. So too the arts. It should be a common understanding that the arts are one of New Bedford’s basic “industries”, bringing people to the city to spend time and money while they’re here. Providing opportunity for younger creative talent to stay here and invest in galleries and retail space, spend money, pay taxes and enliven the community. The arts attract investments from pursue the community as well. Witness the latest developments at the Star Store. Basic industries need the city’s continuing support and contracts outlining that support need to be followed. Cost cutting seems all the rage what with a drug addled, entitled rich man brandishing a gold plated chain saw dancing about abstaining a crazed state of euphoria, mindlessly chopping away at our government. Perhaps the Council thought that was effective governance. We will soon learn that it’s not. Could the contribution see a reduction that leaves the Z in a tight, but doable place to continue the renovation? Probably, but no one asked and in a representative government dialogue is essential. The Willy-nilly zeroing out this line item is mindless, destructive of one of the city’s basic industries and totally inappropriate in such a deliberative body. For the good of the city, this vote needs to be revisited.
Growing up on the West End of New Bedford, I have had nothing but fond memories of the Zeiterion. As early as seeing black and white movies with my parents and grandparents, to seeing Tito Puentes when I was in college. It has constantly amazed me with it’s evolution and willingness to change to fit the wants and needs of the entire area. You can: take a ukele class; participate in a SouthCoast Children’s Theater class; watch Pat Benatar, The Jimmy Hendricks Experience, Christ Stapleton, Dead Prez; listen to the Ted Talks of W. Kamal Bell or Gloria Vanderbilt; take part in cultural events like Day of Portugal or the HBCU College Fair; enjoy the classics of The NB Symphony or watch Mary Poppins! All of that and more due to the community requesting and/or answering the surveys of what they would like to see or do at the Z! In addition,the local school departments and homeschoolers, have benefitted tremendously from the Zeiterion’s, “School Time”. They are part of scheduled performances that have educational components surrounded around in class curriculums. Because of all that it is my sincerest hope, that in these difficult times, the city government will come together as a whole and see the Zeiterion really has tried to bring the community together over the years. At least for me, I am happy to see some of my tax dollars being used to bring joy.
As for the New Bedford Buttonwood Park Zoo….all of us who are still around and remember the horror of the 90’s when the zoo was not being taken care because of cuts, should remember the lack of care of the animals. Those who were around should remember the inadequate treatment of the monkeys living in unsanitary conditions and the seals living in scuzzy water. It became so bad the zoo was closed for a brief moment to renovate and recompose itself. Almost being shut down by the federal government, much work and care has gone into turning the zoo around. Anyone who remembers the 90’s and now brings their own children to the zoo should be able to attest to where the funds have made a dramatic impact. Again, like the Zeiterion, the Buttonwood Park Zoo keeps surprising me with their effort to give the consumer what they want. If it is not on revitalizing the train, it is replicating the original carousel. The zoo has included more STEAM educational programs, from it’s animal highlights to it’s addition of various plants and their purpose. They have even added a state of the art play area named, “Charlie’s Nature Play”, over the years, thanks to the vision of Carrie Hawthorne. Now a member of AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariams) it has thrived and it’s consumers that get memberships from as little $25, can benefit from discounts at other AZA organizations. For example, a membership at Buttonwood can get you free entrance into the Boston Science Museum, another AZA member.
Overall, the Zeiterion Theater and the New Bedford Buttonwood Park Zoo are two iconic landmarks that have welcomed not only local citizens but people throughout the country and the world….for many generations. Again, I hope the city government will see these gems for what they truly are…parts of the heart of the “City That Lit The World”!
This seems like an odd decision considering the recent investment in keeping the Star Store as an arts center. If you are trying to revitalize the city, the smart way is to support the arts. This approach has helped many old industrial cities revitalize themselves. It sends the wrong message to slash funding for The Zeiterion. If the city council doesn’t care about the arts and their role in revitalizing downtown New Bedford, why should anyone else invest in it?
The Z has been a shining light for New Bedford. This saddens me tremendously. $500,000 in the scheme of the cities budget is not going to save individual taxpayers anything, and with property taxes steadily increasing, I think most of us would prefer to,keep good things in the city like the Z and the zoo.
The Philistines are at the gates. Close the theatre so that thirty years hence we can lament its closing as much as the demolition of the Olympia, a proper theatre. Shop elsewhere and mourn the loss of a commercial downtown while we fill up the cart at Walmart. Close all the libraries, who needs to read anyway. What about that Fire department? My house never caught fire, why should I pay for that? When will we learn at the local level, that you also get what you vote for. Taxes are the price we pay for civilization.
It would be sad to see the Zeiterion have its funding pulled by the city council. Just two years ago, though, the Z found itself in a similar situation but on the opposite side. They pulled the plug on the New Bedford Folk Festival because, they said, expenses were too high. Too bad that the principle Jack points out in this article – that benefits may not all be measured in an organization’s income statement – wasn’t applied back then. The Folk Festival added a lot to summertimes in this area.
When Unified arts became a 20 credit course back in the mid to late 70’s I spent 2 tears in the course. Mr. Charbonneau and Mr. Marchand were a big part of that. They taught the English course that coincided with music, dance, art and drama. Both men, made me what I am today. To have read that Mr. Marchand had passed it literally was like losing a classmate. I hope Mr. Charbonneau knows how many students feel and felt about them both. Recognition should be while a person is alive, not after the pass. Support from both of those 2 men helped me be the person I am today. Sympathy to Mr. Charbonneau, may you know there are many children now adults that are better today having been taught by you.
Sad story for a town that needs and deserves a revitalized art scene. Unfortunately there are too many mindless bureaucrats gumming up the works—stupid and shortsighted. You deserve far better
New Bedford!
As someone that resides in Swansea, and appreciates quality local theater and music venues, I’m sad to hear about the decision to cut funding for the Z.
The thought that the city and its taxpayers don’t benefit from the Z is wrong. My husband & I have often purchased tickets to the Z for a show and will have dinner in NB prior to and occasionally have a post-show cocktail both which contribute to the local economy supporting those businesses and their employees. The city is experiencing a re-birth with new residents moving in, who most likely appreciate a vibrant and quality arts/culture community.
We reside in Dartmouth, on occasion we attend an event at the Z. We go early enough to find a parking spot that we hope is “safe”. We attend the event and immediately return to our vehicle and leave town. Safety is a major concern when downtown New Bedford. I also feel that the Z needs to support itself, as it should based on the cost to attend events it holds. Ms. Morad is correct, the working class of New Bedford, who are the city’s main source of tax revenue , do not attend the Z, they can’t afford it. The money needs to be spent on education, road work, police and fire departments.
Really? I drive or ride my bike to downtown NB regularly for concerts and events. I never feel any fear.
The Z and other art and cultural events do bring people from out of town. I love the lively atmosphere and probably spend more on dinner, cocktails and events in NB than my own town. And it isn’t just on event nights. Going to NB has become my routine. I’ve been looking forward to the re- opening of the Z.
Your remarks are so foolish, you didn’t even have the guts to sign your name. Stay home where it is safe!
I agree with you, but every time I make a comment as such, it doesn’t get posted. Glad yours got posted.
This is blatantly wrong. The Zeiterion along with the beautiful Waterfront has been a driving force for tourists to visit this beautiful city. We finally make the vision of the Train to come true and now we are going to wipe the Zeiterion which is the heart of New Bedford. Councilors wake up! Think about the consequences in making such a reckless decision. The students of New Bedford have had wonderful opportunities to attend workshops and theater in the heart of this city. Are we teaching and inspiring artistic and creative growth or allowing gang mentality to control this city? Wake up to reality!
This is sad. As a former New Bedford resident, I enjoyed going to the Z on occasion. I’m not sure what the city of New Bedford is doing but I know I was just recently home on a visit and the streets are in deplorable condition. The mayor should be ashamed of the condition of his city.
I grew up on Coggeshall Street. From the age of 3 to 22. I resent greatly the implication that the arts are ‘above’ what people on Coggeshall Street can appreciate. By the way, I am an Academy Award winning writer.
To Brian Helgeland….🤗
The City of NB is really financially strapped and simply can not continue to carry all the financial burden for things that are beneficial to the entire area .
The Z, the Zoo, the Golf course…these all should be jointly supported by the region not just NB taxes.
Ms Morad was correct…most of those attending the Z performances seem to not be NB residents …the Z , I highly doubt creates much financial generation to the City as people come and immediately leave after performances.
The rational solution to the Z’s financial issues is to work to form a regional commitment to financing the operations.
The town of Dartmouth, for example. whose residents seem to enjoy the Z , could step up and help support it financially so it can survive and thrive.
NB simply does not have the financial ability to do it all on its own.
Hey, Michael, could be another business venture for you. If anyone can fix it, you can!
In the immortal words of Johnny Carson and with sincerest condolences-“Thank you and goodnight”, Mr. Armand Machand.