7:15 p.m.
Reported by Jack Spillane
The best seat in the house. And most important one.
7:15 p.m.
Reported by Kevin G. Andrade in Portuguese
Maestro Yaniv Dur, conductor da Orquestra Sinfónica de New Bedford, entra no palco para dirigir o grupo no segundo concerto da grande reabertura do Teatro Zeiterion.
7:15 p.m.
Reported by Grace Ferguson
The last few ticketholders in this sold out house are finding their seats as the orchestra plays the Candide overture.
7:07 p.m.
Reported by Grace Ferguson
Velvet, pearls, bow ties, fur, sequins, and … jeans! Folks are dressed at a pretty wide range of formality levels tonight, from black tie to casual. Nowadays there’s no widespread agreement on what attire is appropriate for a night at the theater.
7 p.m.
Reported by Jack Spillane
Would you brave this kind of an opening night crowd. 1200 Greater New Bedford residents did. Twice.
6:50 p.m.
Reported by Grace Ferguson
Nancy and Steven Demmer went to Moby Dick Brewing before coming to the theater before the show. I found them enjoying a drink in the absolutely packed second floor lounge. They were happy to support a local downtown business, and excited that the renovation brought back an important gathering space for the city.
6:50 p.m.
Reported by Jack Spillane
The New Bedford Police Union knows what to do when there’s a big crowd. They were out picketing the city — 560 days without a contract.
6:05 p.m.
Reported by Jack Spillane
Tickets? They really are a thing of the past. Most Z patrons, no matter what their age, are checking in with their phones.
6:05 p.m.
Reported by Jack Spillane
The most popular, and most lucrative spot in the new Z may be, surprise, surprise, the bars!
6:20 p.m.
Reported by Grace Ferguson
Grace Ferguson gives us a glimpse of the new and improved restroom facilities at The Zeiterion.
6:10 p.m.
Reported by Anastasia E. Lennon
Elizabeth Bettencourt, left, Molly Dupre, middle, and Brooklyn Toli, right, of the New Bedford Festival Theatre take a dinner break and rest in the Zeiterion’s new rehearsal space between shows.
Dupre, who sang with the symphony orchestra, said she’s never sang with a full orchestra and doesn’t know if she’ll ever get to again.
For most theater shows, the ensemble performs with fewer than 15 players.
6:05 p.m.
Reported by Eleonora Bianchi
Patrons are ready to go in for the second show!
5:48 p.m.
Reported by Jack Spillane
If you want an inspiring view of the new Zeiterion, the best position may be in the projection room. What could be grander?
5:41 p.m.
Reported by Kevin G. Andrade in Spanish
Luís Rivas, Que trabaja con Bristol County Commercial Cleaning, dice que se siente parte de algo mayor mientras limpie el auditorio en preparación para el segundo espectáculo del día de hoy; el primero en casi 20 meses de operación para el Teatro Zeiterion.
“Siento bien por estar trabajando aquí,” dijo. “Ayudando también a la comunidad.”
5:35 p.m.
Reported by Anastasia E. Lennon
The Zeiterion sold out both the 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows — each seating about 1,100 patrons. Here’s the box office honoring the founders of the New Bedford Festival Theatre.
4:40 p.m.
Reported by Grace Ferguson
Nicole Merusi, the Zeiterion’s vice president for strategic planning, finally got to sit back and enjoy the show after many months of work. She watched theatregoers stream out of the auditorium at the end of the matinee.
“It feels amazing,” she said. “The sigh of relief is finally coming out.”
4 p.m.
Reported by Kevin G. Andrade in Portuguese
A reabertura do Teatro Zeiterion apresentou-lhe a Helen da Cunha a sua primeira oportunidade para assistir um concerto sinfónico. “É incrível,” disse. “Até me sinto algo assim de arrepios. É incrível o talento que está naquele palco hoje.”
3:51 p.m.
Reported by Brooke Kushwaha
After intermission, the show continues. New Bedford native Philip Lima opens up Act II with a performance of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
3 p.m.
Reported by Grace Feguson
Zeiterion Board Chair Frank Almeida surprised Rosemary Gill onstage with an enormous, colorful bouquet. “There was a huge team that worked on this renovation, but there was one leader,” he said.
The crowd gave a standing ovation
2:35 p.m.
Reported by Brooke Kushwaha
Comedian Dulce Sloan opens her set by heckling a xylophone player named Dylan in the orchestra.
“If we were on a date, what would you play to impress me?” Sloan asked.
“Honestly I would probably hide the fact that I’m a xylophone player,” Dylan replied.
2:30p.m.
Reported by Kevin G. Andrade in Portuguese
A Orquestra Sinfónica de New Bedford toca o primeiro espetáculo no novamente renovado Teatro Zeiterion após quase 20 meses de obras. “Realmente é um palácio do povo,” disse David Prentiss, presidente da orquestra, em palavras para a audiência.
2:20p.m.
Reported by Grace Ferguson
Looking out at the crowd, I can’t help but notice a lot of white and gray hair. Just 16% of New Bedford’s population is over 65, yet there are lots of seniors here. Maybe it’s because these are the people with the longest history with, and strongest connection to, the theatre. The lights have dimmed and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra has begun to play. It’s showtime!
2:17 p.m.
Reported by Brooke Kushwaha
Project manager Jacob Robitaille spent 18 months restoring the Z to its current glory. This is the first time he’s gotten to share the new building with the wider public.
“When I walked in, I saw my dad and he was crying, so that’s a pretty good sign,” Robitaille said. “I’m excited to see the show and not run around working.”
Robitaille’s wife, Jennifer, and his daughter, Leah, also joined him for the opening performance.
Leah remembers when the building “was still dirt” and she could touch the ceiling from the painting scaffolding. Both had seen the hard work Robitaille and his team had put into the theater the past year and a half.
“To me that’s the best part of construction, seeing everyone enjoy what’s been built,” Jennifer said.
2:10p.m.
Reported by Colin Hogan
Sue Mitchell has volunteered as an usher for 14 years. Her favorite parts of the “dazzling” new renovation are the restored ceiling and the new seats. “The seats are no longer an embarrassment!” she said.
1:50 p.m.
Reported by Grace Ferguson
Sarah O’Leary and Andrew Springer were taking in the new theater decor from the third row, not far from the seats they sponsored with plaques bearing the names of Springer’s parents (about 200 seats have been named so far). The couple was impressed by the experience of walking through the expanded lobby.
“It’s so open, it’s so inviting,” Springer said.
1:30 p.m.
Reported by Kevin G. Andrade
Elise Raposa, an analyst at MassInc who grew up performing at The Zeiterion Theatre as part of the New Bedford Ballet, said it was important to her to be here for its first performance post-renovation. “It’s a moment in time that’s worth commemorating,” she said.
1:20 p.m.
Reported by Grace Ferguson
It’s busy at the new bar, where they’re offering a special grand opening drink. On the second-floor lounge, theatregoers are enjoying a wine tasting station.
1 p.m.
Reported by Grace Ferguson
Some last minute finishing touches as performers warm up!
12:58 p.m.
Reported by Brooke Kushwaha
One minute to doors open, a fleet of volunteer ushers are taking their places as audience members gather outside.
12:44 p.m.
Reported by Kevin G. Andrade in Spanish
Una vista desde la caja técnica del auditorio nuevamente renovado de The Zeiterion en el centro de New Bedford, una obra que duró más que un año. Hoy es su primer día de operación.
12:35 p.m.
Reported by Colin Hogan
Half hour before doors open to patrons, the bar is stocked and the ushers are getting into place.
