New Bern Civic Theatre (NBCT) is proud to announce Encore Series 2025 offering a year’s worth of entertaining events running parallel to its robust season of popular community theatre plays and musicals. The Encore Series expands NBCT’s calendar with a wide variety of local, national and international performing artists, acts and activities aligned with the organization’s vision to assure NBCT endures as a premiere center for performing arts in eastern North Carolina.
Many recurring favorites are in the lineup for 2025 such as Walk-In Bathtub Improv Comedy (no two shows are ever alike), The 4th Annual New Bern Follies (variety & talent showcase) on April 26th, and The Bonafides string band with a fresh take on an old-time styled radio show concert inspired by NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion on October 10th.
One of the most anticipated events of the year is the return of Luca Stricagnoli appearing September 19th. His online music videos have views exceeding 200 million. This internationally acclaimed Italian guitar prodigy first performed at NBCT in 2023 with a concert that sold out four days after tickets went on sale. It’s no surprise. Witnessing Stricagnoli’s fingerstyle virtuosity as he interprets repertoire ranging from Metallica to Mozart is an unforgettable music experience not to be missed.
In keeping with a world music theme, the Ben Rosenblum Trio will play The Athens on April 11th as part of New Bern’s vibrant Arts in April celebrations. Rosenblum is a NYC based contemporary jazz pianist, accordionist and composer who has performed with world-class musicians including Grammy-winning Rickie Lee Jones. Audiences will be treated to a concert with influences from ten or more countries and interests going beyond jazz to include various music traditions from South America, Eastern Europe, Ireland, India, the Caribbean and the Middle East.
Also, in the month of April NBCT will host a day-long Arts in April Theatre Festival comprised of theatre arts workshops, creative activities and new works scene readings intended to engage the public and encourage community participation. More details on Arts in April events will be available soon on the Visit New Bern website at visitnewbern.com.
As summer arrives, NBCT welcomes the folk duo Chatham Rabbits center stage June 27th. Their artistry hinges on a fervent desire to connect with others through the music that first brought the pair together, steeped in the regional traditions of their North Carolina home. They have had three successful albums; All I Want from You (2019), The Yoke is Easy, The Burden is Full (2020), and If You See Me Riding By (2022). Their fourth album Be Real with Me (released February 14, 2025) reflects new perspectives gathered along their music/life journey together.
The North Carolina Film Festival, August 2nd, will be held at The Athens, turning back the hands of time to the restored theatre’s origins as a silent movie house. With big screen showings of jury selected, award-winning short film entries from around the world, this festival is a unique treat for cinema arts fans. Filmmakers and patrons are invited to use a Day Pass Ticket to come and go between 10AM and 7PM choosing by category the independent films that seem most appealing, from just a few to all entries.
For the holiday season the Encore Series will be a destination for happenings that evoke traditions of Christmases past while enhancing Christmas present. The classic ballet The Nutcracker produced by Down East Dance, brings a child’s fantastical Christmas Eve dream to life with a dizzying array of dancing dolls, toys, creatures and, of course, the nutcracker, Dec 5th through 14th. Boomerang LIVE JukeBox is booked for A Very BOOMY Christmas on December 19. And closing The Encore Series 2025 will be an all-new holiday concert titled The Magic of Christmas starring musical duo Lewis ‘n Clark and magician Bryan Sanders with two shows on Dec 20th.
Loyal theatre-goers in the region recognize the Encore Series as an exciting way to enjoy more of what happens live at New Bern Civic Theatre. For those unfamiliar with NBCT, something on the Encore Series calendar will surely be the thing that results in a visit to the historic Athens Theatre – The Heart of the Art Downtown.
Special thanks to Encore Series Sponsor Partner: The Aerie Bed and Breakfast for another year of helping make this exciting onstage series possible. All events are listed under the “Calendar” tab on the NBCT website: newberncivictheatre.org along with ticket pricing and additional information.