The Zeiteron theater, or the “Z” as it’s locally known, is preparing to reopen on Saturday.
The theater at the heart of downtown New Bedford has been undergoing renovations since June 2024 at a cost of about $37 million dollars. A big part: historically accurate restorations for the century-old building. Everything from the curtain to the stage to the lobby has been restored.
Both the New Bedford Festival Theater and New Bedford Symphony Orchestra call the Z their home. And Rosemary Gill, CEO of Zeiteron Theater INC., said the theater plans a full slate of performances.
“Suffice it to say that (to) the folks who – this building has always been beloved,” Gill said. “They'll have all of the types of legacy programs that they're used to, like: rock music, blues music, comedy, musical theater, jazz, world music, spoken word.”
The grand reopening on Saturday will feature music, comedy, spoken word and dancing.
Gill anticipates that the improved theater will bring more people to downtown New Bedford.
“We know even before this renovation and restoration that we had a $10 million economic impact on the area and we anticipate that that will grow exponentially once we reopen,” Gill said. “We know anecdotally from restaurants and businesses, not only in the downtown area but throughout Greater New Bedford, that they very much benefit from our audiences patronizing their businesses.”
Gill said that underutilized spaces have been converted into a speakeasy, an expanded lobby, and second floor spillover lounge. She hopes that the theater will operate “almost 24/7” going forward, serving as a “community living room” to the residents of New Bedford.
