Zeiterion Theater (New Bedford, Massachusetts)

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684 Purchase Street
New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740
www.zeiterion.org/

Located in Downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Zeiterion Theatre is the last "old-time" theatre in a city that once boasted 17.
Ground was broken on March 14, 1922 and on April 2, 1923, New Bedford opened its last new theatre in the city's downtown area- The Zeiterion. Built for the "live performance of vaudeville", it opened with Troubles of 1922 starring and written by George Jessel.
The theatre did not meet with immediate success and by September 1923 it had closed briefly and reopened that month as the State, a silent movie house.
Five world premieres were held at the State. One notable premiere was the 1956 opening of "Moby Dick" complete with Gregory Peck in attendance.
The State was modernized in 1971. Marble walls were covered with wood paneling, chandeliers in the lobby were removed, contemporary rocking seats replaced original leather and black paint replaced ivory and old rose.
Ultimately though, downtown ceased to draw people, and the theatre closed. A small group of individuals struggled to keep the Zeiterion from the wrecking ball and their efforts led to WHALE's (Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE) involvement. The Penler Brothers of Paragon Travel donated the theatre section of the building to WHALE in the early 1980s. WHALE provided $200,000 towards restoration, and the theatre reopened as the Zeiterion Theatre on September 25, 1982, with Shirley Jones in concert.