New Bern Civic Theatre Announces The Encore Series 2025

New Bern Civic Theatre (NBCT) is proud to announce the 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. Many recurring favorites from previous seasons 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 on October 10th. A highly anticipated event this year is the return of Luca Stricagnoli appearing September 19th. With online music videos views exceeding 200 million it’s no wonder his NBCT concert in 2023 sold out 4 days after tickets went on sale. Witnessing Stricagnoli’s fingerstyle guitar 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 heavily influenced by international music and has performed worldwide with musicians who include Grammy-winning Rickie Lee Jones. Also, in the month of April NBCT will host a day-long Arts in April Theatre Festival comprised of theatre arts workshops, activities and new works scene readings intended to engage the public and encourage community participation.

As summer arrives NBCT will welcome 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 four successful albums including 'Be Real with Me' (just released February 14, 2025). Loyal fans and new ones are sure to enjoy this concert. 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 Athens will be a destination for happenings that evoke traditions of Christmases past while enhancing Christmas present. The classic 'The Nutcracker Ballet' 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 on stage 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.

There is something for everyone on the Encore Series calendar at NBCT, 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.