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ON STAGE / ON SCREEN / IN ART / IN COMMUNITY

OCTOBER 19, 2011 – JANUARY 7, 2012
NEW BEDFORD, MA

Moby-Dick has become a part of popular culture throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, popping up in everything from a Led Zeppelin song to The Simpsons to Star Trek. There are many different adaptations of Moby-Dick in a variety of genres. This season The Zeiterion Theatre, The New Bedford Whaling Museum, and The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park come together to celebrate the iconic tale of the great whale in art, on screen, in community and on stage.

On Stage

Moby Dick
3 Performances!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 AT 7:30PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 AT 3PM & 7:30PM

One of Ireland's best known theatre companies, Gare St. Lazare Players, brings to The Z a stunning stage adaptation of Herman Melville's great American novel, Moby-Dick. A one-man performance by Conor Lovett, accompanied by original music by Caoimhin O'Raghallaigh on fiddle, viola and uileann pipes, the performance catches both the mischievous humor and the wisdom of Ishmael's commentary. Lovett holds audiences spellbound during this classic tale of a mythic sea monster, the vengeful Captain Ahab, and their epic ocean journey aboard The Pequod. This production is everything Moby-Dick should be, freshly invigorated by artists from a fellow nation with its own rich understanding both of seafaring and of storytelling. Beautiful.

Gare St. Lazare's national tour of Moby Dick is part of IMAGINE IRELAND:
A Year of Irish Arts in America 2011, an initiative of Culture Ireland.

TICKETS: $30/ Stage seating
General admission

On Screen


MOBY DICK
55TH ANNIVERSARY
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 AT 7PM

On June 26, 1956, a crowd of 35,000 roared a warm welcome to the stars of Warner Brother's world premiere of Moby Dick at The Zeiterion Theatre. For three days New Bedford was alive with festivities to celebrate the star-studded opening. With Ahab beard growing contests to parades and parties, thousands celebrated the whaling heritage of the city and the arrival of Gregory Peck and John Huston. Join us for the 55th anniversary of the premiere that put a bright spotlight on the city and brought the community together.

TICKETS: $5.50 - (1956 price)

 

In Art


Art Exhibition Opening:
IMAGINING MOBY!
IN THE MODERN ERA
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 AT 5PM

Free to the public
Includes original works by Leonard Baskin, Richard Ellis and Rockwell Kent

Book Signing and Talk:
NATHANIEL PHILBRICK,
Author of
Why Read Moby-Dick?
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Welcome Reception at 6:30pm
Talk and book signing at 7pm
Free to the public

Children's Film Festival:
ANIMATED MOBY
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5,

11AM–3PM
Free to the public
Saturday morning cartoons starring Moby Dick! Films will include Dot and the Whale, a tale of friendship, Moby-Dick animated and in Spanish and Kohola Lele, a Hawaiian-Arctic whaling story.

In Community


Walking Tour:
MELVILLE'S NEW BEDFORD
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5
AT 1PM & 4PM

New Bedford Whaling
National Historical Park
Free to the public

Melville Society Annual Lecture:
MOBY DICK IN AMERICAN POPULAR CULTURE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6 AT 7:30PM

Opening Reception at 5PM
Free to the public

MOBY DICK READATHON
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 AT 12PM

Free to the public
Since 1995, the New Bedford Whaling Museum has marked the anniversary of Herman Melville's 1841 departure from
the Port of New Bedford and Fairhaven aboard the whale ship Acushnet, with a 25-hour nonstop reading of Moby Dick. The Marathon has grown to become
a midwinter tradition, which attracts
hundreds of Melville enthusiasts.
Everyone is welcome to join in!

For more information and full schedule of activities visit
www.zeiterion.org and www.whalingmuseum.org.

 

MOBY! is a partnership of The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, The New Bedford Whaling Museum, and The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

 


The Z is the sole non-profit year-round professional performing arts center in Southeastern Massachusetts and provides New Bedford and the region with performing arts programming of excellence that inspires, educates, engages and entertains. Each year, The Z presents over 40 world class performances that have included Yo Yo Ma, Alvin Ailey, Wynton Marsalis, CATS, and David Byrne; provides more than 25 educational programs that include a School Time Performance Program, a Literature Live Program, and Professional Development for teachers; has a $3,330,547 economic impact on New Bedford; and welcomes 110,000 people through its doors.

 

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world's most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales, whaling, and the cultural history of the region. It contains nearly ≤ million items in its collection, including the world's largest ship model, the Lagoda, a half-scale whaling ship inside the museum. The cornerstone of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill in the heart of the city's historic downtown and is open daily.

 

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America's nineteenth century whaling industry. The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States. The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. It is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM, and offers information, exhibits, and a free orientation movie every hour on the hour from 10 AM-3 PM. The building is accessible, and admission is free.

Fun Fact! TWO NEW BEDFORDS: ONE FILM In 1954, John Huston filmed "Moby Dick" with the town of Youghal, Ireland as stand-in for New Bedford. The play "Moby Dick" premiered in Youghal's Town Hall theater which served as the costume department for the film. That film had its world premiere at The Z. Gare St. Lazare will perform "Moby Dick" on The Z stage and we will welcome the Mayor of Youghal to celebrate the fantastic history of two sea towns linked by the film, performing artists and the on-going link between Ireland and the USA.*

*Special thanks to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for sponsoring the Mayor's trip to New Bedford.

 

 


The Zeiterion Theatre | 684 Purchase Street | New Bedford, MA 02740 | (508) 994-2900