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For more than 100 years, great artists have taken the stage at The Z, from international stars to beloved local legends. It stands as New Bedford’s last operating theater and is one of the region’s few large gathering places for community and culture. Each season, the Zeiterion Mainstage Series presents performances across genres – dance, music, theatre, comedy, lectures, and film. Inside the beautifully restored theater, more than 1,200 seats beckon audiences to share in experiences that somehow feel both grand and intimate. A new season awaits, full of opportunities for gathering, connection, and inspiration.
Member Sale: October 15, at 12PM
Become a Member beginning September 23 to access presale.
Public Sale: October 22, 10AM
Join us for a joyful homecoming and an unforgettable celebration of community!
Big Night, Bright Lights! The Z’s Grand Reopening
New Bedford Festival Theatre, New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, and The Zeiterion Light Up The Stage
Starring Emmy Award-Winning Comedian Dulcé Sloan
Two Shows!
Saturday, January 17, at 2PM and 7PM
Featuring
65-member New Bedford Symphony Orchestra
Spoken Word Artist Hendrick Hernandez-Resto
Baritone Philip Lima
Broadway Performers Erin and Matt Ban, Abby Casey, and Brooklyn Toli
Gender-Expansive Ballroom Dancers Michael Winward and Holly Stone
Big Night, Bright Lights!
Join us for a dazzling celebration as we reopen The Z in style! The full New Bedford Symphony Orchestra will be on stage throughout the evening, setting the backdrop for a captivating program of music, dance, and theater. Emmy Award–winning comedian Dulcé Sloan hosts the celebration, guiding us through an unforgettable night of laughter, joy, and artistry.
An Unforgettable Lineup
The evening’s program showcases an extraordinary range of talent. Nationally known baritone and New Bedford native Philip Lima lends his powerful operatic voice to the stage, while New Bedford musician, rapper, and producer Hendrick Hernandez-Resto premieres an original piece with the symphony. Singers and dancers from New Bedford Festival Theatre, including Erin and Matt Ban, Abby Casey, and Brooklyn Toli, deliver Broadway favorites with flair, and interdisciplinary performance artists Michael Winward and Holly Stone bring sweeping, gender-expansive ballroom dance to the stage.
A Historic Night for New Bedford and New Century for The Zeiterion
After two years of anticipation, the curtain is rising once again on the newly renovated Zeiterion Theatre. For the first time, three of the city’s leading cultural organizations—The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford Festival Theatre, and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra—will share the stage in a one-night-only concert that honors the heart, soul, and future of the performing arts on the South Coast. This first-time landmark collaboration is more than a performance; it is a joyful homecoming that reaffirms the Zeiterion as a gathering place for creativity, connection, and community.
Together, these performances embody the energy and artistry that make New Bedford a cultural hub, marking the Zeiterion’s return with brilliance and heart.
Get the Led Out is back!
From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, Get The Led Out (GTLO) have captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live. No wigs or fake English accents, GTLO brings what the audience wants...a high energy Zeppelin concert with an honest, heart thumping intensity.
A GTLO concert mimics the “light and shade” that are the embodiment of "The Mighty Zep." Whether it's the passion and fury with which they deliver the blues-soaked, groove driven rock anthems, it's their attention to detail and nuance that makes a Get The Led Out performance a truly awe-inspiring event!
Paul Sinclair – Lead Vocals, Harmonica Paul Hammond – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin, Theremin Tommy Zamp – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Vocals Eddie Kurek – Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Percussion Derek Smith – Drums, Percussion Seth Chrisman – Bass, Vocals
Together Andrés and Christina are Latin Grammy-winning duo 123 Andrés (pronounced Uno, Dos, Tres Andrés), bringing their infectious energy and vibrant sound to the Zeiterion stage!
Blending Spanish, English, and American Sign Language, the duo’s performances celebrate Latinx culture while creating a joyful, inclusive experience for audiences of all ages. With playful rhythms and educational lyrics, 123 Andrés makes learning feel like a dance party.
Seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic, and whimsy, MOMIX sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole with Alice!
Alice is Moses Pendleton’s newest creation inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland. “I don’t intend to retell the whole Alice story” Pendleton says, “but to use it as a taking off point for invention.”
Join this dazzling company on a mind-bending adventure, as Alice encounters time-honored characters including the undulating Caterpillar, a lobster quadrille, frenzied White Rabbits, a mad Queen of Hearts, and a variety of other surprises. Filled with visual splendor and startling creative movement, Alice reveals that nothing in MOMIX’s world is as it seems!
This performance contains adult content.
With a career spanning more than five decades, The Commodores have secured their place among the greatest Motown and R&B legends of all time.
Known for chart-topping hits like Easy, Brick House, and Three Times a Lady, their music continues to leave the audience cheering for more. The GRAMMY-winning group blends smooth soul ballads with irresistible funk grooves, creating a sound that is timeless and unforgettable.
Original founding leader William “WAK” King is joined by Cody Orange, the son of original founding Commodore, Walter “Clyde Brickhouse” Orange, bringing his unique talents and legacy to the stage.
Don’t miss this chance to experience The Commodores live in concert, delivering the classics you love with the energy and charisma that made them icons.
*$119 includes prime seating and a post-performance afterglow event with light bites and a signature drink.
An explosive, provocative, sophisticated, and utterly unique show for audiences of all ages!
The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.
The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans.
Discover the beauty and artistry of African culture in this thrilling performance!
Beyond its scenery, costumes, and staging, Cirque Kalabanté represents the strength, agility, and life's joys of young Africans. In their Afrique En Cirque, acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-Jazz, percussion, and kora.
A show by Yamoussa Bangoura, Afrique En Cirque is inspired by daily life in Guinea. Welcome to the universe of Kalabanté Productions and prepare for an unforgettable journey.
The incomparable sound and look of Sweden’s greatest music export is coming to New Bedford!
Direct from Sweden, The Music of ABBA will deliver the closest ABBA experience you’ll ever get with some of Sweden’s most experienced and talented singers and musicians playing 100% live.
The group are no strangers to the incomparable sound and look of Sweden’s greatest music export with meticulous attention to costumes, make-up, musical arrangements, movements and the singing, nothing is left to chance. Adding a few of Abba’s live traits such as great solos, musical numbers and a complete live band with back-up singers, ensures an extra dimension unheard of in most similar productions.
Enjoy the hits such as Dancing Queen, Chiquitita, Waterloo, Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes it All, Fernando, SOS, Take a Chance, Money Money Money, Knowing Me Knowing You, Super Trouper, Gimme Gimme Gimme, Voulez-Vous and many more!
ABBA is one of the greatest pop groups of all time and is Sweden’s biggest export ever. From 1971 to 1982, the group sold over 400 million records. When the musical Mamma Mia hit the American stages in 2000, it became an instant classic and the ABBA tribute was born. Their music continues to be passed on from generation to generation, loved around the whole world.
A blend of Ukrainian traditional music with influences from around the world, resulting in an unexpected new music!
A music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine, DakhaBrakha’s music is textural, layered sounds with distinctive percussive heartbeats, thumping bass lines, distorted electric guitars and influences of jazz, spoken word, rap and even punk. They call this tapestry of influences “ethno chaos.” And this chaos is a strength, allowing them to draw in strands of music that connect Ukraine with the world.
DakhaBrakha are troubadours, activists and educators. Though their name means “give/take” in the old language, DakhaBrakha is new Ukraine, both pre-colonial and post-Soviet, working within a global network of art and music. They aim to help audiences see Ukraine not as a monolith, but as a cosmopolitan culture that takes in other cultures and gives in return.
Traditional music has seen a resurgence in Ukraine over the past decades, after being suppressed during Soviet rule. DakhaBrakha uses Ukrainian polyphony as its foundation, interweaving complex rhythmic and melodic structures from India, Arabia, Africa, and Australia.
DakhaBrakha was created in 2004 at the Kyiv Center of Contemporary Art “DAKH” by the avant-garde theatre director Vladyslav Troitskyi. Theatre work has left its mark on the band performances – their shows are always staged with a strong visual element. Projected behind them are a mix of animations from different Ukrainian artists and photos of life in today’s Ukraine. Some are celebratory, bright and bold. Some are dark, others curious, a reflection of the many facets of Ukrainian culture.
A special Screening of the award-winning documnetary and post-show Q&A with director David Abel!
A special screening of the award-winning documentary!
In the Whale: The Greatest Fish Story Ever Told is the true story of local lobster diver Michael Packard, who, in 2021, was briefly caught in the mouth of a whale off the coast of Provincetown. The documentary takes a closer look at what happened before, during, and after Packard's harrowing experience, making for one whale of a tale.
Join us at The Z, in the heart of New Bedford’s historic whaling district, for this special screening, which will be followed by a Q&A with Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Abel, the film's writer, director, and producer.
In the Whale won the Audience Choice Award at the 2023 New Hampshire Film Festival, Best Feature Film at the Green Film Festival in San Francisco, and other awards.
About the writer, director, and producer
David Abel spent 25 years as a reporter at The Boston Globe and has directed other award-winning documentaries, including Entangled, Lobster War, and Sacred Cod. He's now a professor of journalism at Boston University.
The ultimate storytelling experience!
The Moth Mainstage is a two-act show, featuring a musical act, where the storytellers and a dynamic host share true personal stories, without notes.
For more than 27 years, The Moth has presented over 60,000 true personal stories to packed houses and virtually around the globe. The Mainstage is The Moth’s flagship series.
The Moth is a nonprofit dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. Renowned for showcasing a broad range of human experiences, The Moth produces approximately 600 live and virtual shows each year and has an ongoing presence in 28 cities worldwide.
This performance may contain adult content.
Marlon Wayans in New Bedford for one night only!
The actor-screenwriter-producer first entered the comedy hall of fame with projects like In Living Color, Scary Movie and White Chicks – just to name a few. As a stand-up comedian, he blends sharp social commentary with laugh-out-loud comedy. He shares his unfiltered takes on life, family and relationships - everything you want in a comedy show.
His films have grossed $1.14 billion in domestic box office and nearly $1.8 billion in global box office. As a stand-up comedian, he is selling out nationwide and adding shows every weekend. Marlon’s latest comedy special Good Grief on Amazon Prime Video hit #1 on the streaming platform its first week. His other critically acclaimed comedy specials include Woke-ish on Netflix and God Loves Me, You Know What It Is, and Marlon Wayans Presents: The Headliners on HBO Max.
Marlon currently stars in Justin Tipping and Jordan Peele’s latest psychological horror thriller, Him.
This performance contains adult content.
An evening of live music and narrated stories of some of the most influential songwriters! Live From Laurel Canyon centers on the musicians who lived in Laurel Canyon in the mid-1960s and ‘70s.
Similar to other legendary rock and roll neighborhoods of the same era (like Haight Ashbury in San Francisco or Greenwich Village in NYC), Laurel Canyon was a community of artists who would forge a new genre of music (Folk Rock) and forever change the look, sound and attitude of American pop music.
This show celebrates The Mamas and The Papas, the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Doors, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Neil Young, James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, America, and the Eagles with their own unique interpretations of some of the most iconic songs of the era.
Much more than a 'tribute' act, Live from Laurel Canyon not only performs the music you love in a new and unique way but shares with you the stories that inspired them. Live from Laurel Canyon is a journey through a special time in American pop music... won't you join us?
After much needed maintenance during the restoration, The Z’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ is ready for the spotlight once again!
The Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, who cares for and maintain The Z’s organ, perform the live soundtrack to Alfred Hitchcock’s third film and first thriller, The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog.
The Lodger is silent thriller that tells the tale of a mysterious young man (matinee idol Ivor Novello) who takes up residence at a London boardinghouse just as a killer known as the Avenger descends upon the city, preying on blonde women.
An electrifying production that fuses groundbreaking step choreography with the vibrant soundscape of a live DJ!
As the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping, Step Afrika! pushes the boundaries of stepping, blending tradition with innovation to create an unforgettable, high-energy experience. They combine percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience.
Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. The mix of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.
Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement and cross-cultural understanding. The Company reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through a 50-city tour of colleges and theaters and performs globally as Washington, DC’s one and only Cultural Ambassador.
Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 60 countries across the globe and ranking as one of the top 10 African American Dance Companies in the US.
Led by celebrated vocalist and luminary Julia Keefe, the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band (JKIBB) brings charisma, passion, and purpose to every stage – leaving audiences both inspired and educated.
JKIBB is an ensemble of Native and Indigenous jazz musicians from across Indian Country. Performing pieces from their under-appreciated predecessors in jazz, like Mildred Bailey (Coeur d’Alene) and Jim Pepper (Kaw/Mvskoke), alongside works by contemporary Indigenous composers, the band spotlights a vibrant, long-standing tradition of Indigenous improvised music today.
Julia (Nez Perce) and the band quickly gained a reputation for deepening and challenging our understanding of the “uniquely American” art form known as jazz. JKIBB features a ‘who’s who’ of Indigenous bandleaders today and has headlined marquee events including the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C in 2024.
A musical for families during school vacation week!
Turn the poutiest of frowns upside down with this colorful adaptation of The New York Times bestselling book by Deborah Diesen. When Mr. Fish sets out on a quest to find Miss Clam’s missing pearl, he discovers there is more to him than his permanently plastered pout. The sweeping oceanic adventure features whimsical puppets and live performers.
The Pout-Pout Fish is a musical co-conceived, directed, and designed by the acclaimed puppeteers of AchesonWalsh Studios, whose work was featured in Broadway's The King And I, On the Town, and Radio City's New York Spectacular.
Do you remember listening to an entire album? The thrill of dropping the needle on the greatest music ever recorded? Classic Albums Live does.
The 1977 multi-platinum album Rumours became Fleetwood Mac’s most celebrated album and one of Top Ten best-selling albums of all time. Ranked 7th in Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" and now, for the first time in popular music, Rumours is recreated live on stage by Classic Albums Live with some of the best musicians performing today. Note for note, cut for cut.
Don’t miss the chance to relive the magic of Rumours, performed live!
The popular podcast on The Z stage!
Captivating listeners with lively debates and razor-sharp commentary, #SistersInLaw is on the road with a live version of their show. The Webby Award-winning podcast brings together four of the most respected political and legal masterminds in the country to break down the biggest political and legal stories of the week.
The Sisters pull back the curtain on how the U.S. government actually works, take on the corrupt, share their wisdom and give us their rulings on the latest in politics, law, and culture.
MEET THE HOSTS
Joyce Vance - The first woman appointed as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama by President Obama, MSNBC legal analyst, and Distinguished Professor Of The Practice of Law at the University of Alabama School.
Barb McQuade - Appointed by President Obama as the first female U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Currently Professor From Practice at the University of Michigan Law School and legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. Best-selling author of Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America.
Jill Wine-Banks - Legendary Watergate prosecutor, MSNBC contributor, and best-selling author of The Watergate Girl. The first female General Counsel of the U.S. Army and first female executive director of the American Bar Association.
Kimberly Atkins Stohr - Senior opinion writer at The Boston Globe. A former lawyer, served as the first Washington, D.C.-based news correspondent for WBUR and as the Boston Herald’s Washington bureau chief. A regular contributor on MSNBC and guest host of WBUR’s On Point.
Local greats Caliph, Hendrick Hernandez-Resto, and Siahlaw perform for the first time on the stage that has loomed large for them growing up in New Bedford. The seasoned artists of the game unite to demonstrate that working together can truly amplify the genre. Backed by DJ Fresco and The Seshn Band, the trio offer an epic performance that’s not to be missed by fans of hip-hop or supporters of the community.
“Being amongst the first hip-hop artists in the city to grace [the Zeiterion] stage as a coheadliner, it’s a full circle moment and a dream come true.”- Hendrick Hernandez- Resto
A heartwarming and visually stunning performance that brings together music, dance, and projection to tell a story of a young boy, his grandfather, and their shared memories.
Created by director/choreographer Dominic Moore-Dunson, this dance production breathes life into “The Remember Balloons” story by bringing it to the stage, resulting in an experience built for the entire family.
James’s Grandpa has the best balloons because he has the best memories. He has balloons showing Dad when he was young and Grandma when they were married. Grandpa has balloons about camping and Aunt Nelle’s poor cow. Grandpa also has a silver balloon filled with the memory of a fishing trip he and James took together. But when Grandpa’s balloons begin to float away, James is heartbroken. No matter how hard he runs, James can’t catch them. One day, Grandpa lets go of the silver balloon— and he doesn’t even notice! Grandpa no longer has balloons of his own. But James has many more than before. It’s up to him to share those balloons, one by one.
Beautifully accompanied by an original score composed by Theron Brown. The show incorporates digital projections and voiceover narration to complement Moore-Dunson’s theatrical choreography.
Contains sensitive themes, including Alzheimer's disease and memory loss.
Video
Tickets must be reserved for this free show
The premier band representing the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security!
The 55-member ensemble has performed concert tours around the globe to promote goodwill while showcasing pride, patriotism and musicianship. Their spectrum of music ranges from wind ensemble classics to swinging jazz charts, offering something for everyone!
Elida Almeida first burst onto the scene in 2014 with over 2.7 million views on YouTube, seducing fans with her suave and powerful voice. Since then, she has carried the musical heart of Cape Verde to the world, bridging cultures with her soul-stirring storytelling and magnetic charm. She celebrates the cultural heritage of her home but also asserts her African identity, seasoning Cape Verdean rhythms such as batuque, funaná, coladera, and tabanka with Latin energy for an unforgettable performance.
Born on the island of Santiago, Elida Almeida honed her vocal skills singing church hymns and developed her musical knowledge by hosting a radio show in Maio, where she grew up after her father’s death. Driven by a passion for education and a deep connection to her roots, she composed songs reflecting love and social concern.
Her debut album, Nta Konsigui, gained international attention when one of its songs was featured in the Portuguese TV soap A Unica Mulher. Awarded the RFI Découvertes prize in 2015, Elida’s warm and powerful voice quickly captivated audiences worldwide, earning her a place on major music stages across Europe, Africa, and North America.
Her second album, Kebrada, named after her childhood village, celebrates her African identity by blending Cape Verdean rhythms like batuque, funaná, coladera, and tabanka with Latin influences. Establishing herself as the voice of a new generation with Gerasonobu, Elida proudly serves as a spokesperson for her “little country,” Cape Verde.
Eight years after her 2014 debut, Elida’s 5th album, Di Lonji (“From Afar”), reflects on her extraordinary journey—from the remote interior of Santiago to performing in over 50 countries and receiving numerous awards. To commemorate her 10-year career, she released her first vinyl album, a limited edition of Di Lonji, featuring a stunning cover of “Estanhadinha” by Franck Cavaquim, originally recorded by Cesária Évora.
Elida Almeida’s career, marked by talent, tenacity, and deep respect for her roots, continues to inspire and resonate worldwide.
The fully interactive, participatory show that turns audience members into performers!
Get ready to laugh, dance and SING your heart out with hundreds of other music-lovers just like you. It’s like a big birthday party for the greatest songs of all time and you’re invited. All voices welcome, no experience necessary. They teach, you sing, everyone wins.
Since 2011, Choir! Choir! Choir! directors Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman have blurred the lines between performer and audience, travelling the world to create harmony with strangers and friends alike. They’ve collaborated with renowned artists like Patti Smith, David Byrne, Brandi Carlile, Rick Astley, Rufus Wainwright, and even Kermit The Frog at New York’s Lincoln Center, creating memorable videos that have garnered views in the millions.
Now it’s your turn to sing!
International fado sensation Mariza returns to The Z, where she has captivated sold-out audiences time and again.
Her powerful voice and commanding stage presence breathe new life into Portugal’s most treasured musical tradition. A true New Bedford favorite, Mariza promises an evening of passion, beauty, and unforgettable song. Whether singing traditional numbers or new songs, she proudly honors the legacy of Portugal’s expressive lament of destiny.
*$99 includes a meet and greet with Mariza
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN OCTOBER 2026 PERFORMANCE
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Brad Majors himself!
Join the original 'Brad Majors' - BARRY BOSTWICK - for a screening of the original unedited movie with a live shadow cast and audience participation. Enjoy a memorabilia display with artifacts, including an actual costume from the movie, a costume contest, and more!
Your ticket includes a prop bag for audience partici…pation—and a limited number of VIP tickets are available for an exclusive Meet & Greet with Barry Bostwick, including a personal photo and autograph.
Please note: Guests are NOT allowed to bring their own props and prop bags, these will be provided upon entry.
Barry Bostwick Bio
Winning Golden Globe, Tony and Peabody awards for a long and multi-faceted career Barry continues to work in all genres with recently released films The Incredibles 2, Grand Daddy Day Care, Bigger Fatter Liar, A Mermaids Tale, Three Days In August among others as well as recent TV offerings on "Will And Grace," "Girlfriends Guide to Divorce," "Still The King," "Signed Sealed and Delivered" for Hallmark and Great Performances on PBS "Ellis Island: The Dream Of America." Bostwick is probably best known for playing Brad Majors in the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show and Mayor Randall Winston in the long running sitcom "Spin City" and creating the role of Danny Zuko in the original Broadway production of Grease winning his first of three Tony nominations, finally winning the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical for the lead character in The Robber Bridegroom. You can also look for him in the other cult favorite film Megaforce, along with FDR: American Badass, Spyhard, Fantastic Planet, Three From Hell, Undercover Brother 2, The Outlaw Johnny Black, American Pie: Girls Rule, the popular Netflix film Single All The Way and the soon to be released Daruma. And his personal favorite Movie Movie with George C. Scott and directed by Stanley Donan among others. On TV he played George Washington in the 8 hour mini-series "George Washington," Lady Aster in "War and Remembrance" among dozens of TV Movies and mini-series. Series TV kept him busy with "Cougar Town," "Law and Order: SVU," "Supernatur
*$165 includes a meet and greet with Barry Bostwick
This performance contains adult content.