Let’s Put on a Show! Armand Marchand & George Charbonneau’s Life-Long Love Affair with Theater
The Best of Times: Celebrating 30 Years of Leading the New Bedford Festival Theatre. George and Armand, center stage, flanked by returning performers from over 20 productions.
Long before they met at then Bridgewater State College, partners Armand Marchand, ’66, G’70, and George Charbonneau, ’66, G’70, were destined for the bright lights. Armand made his theatrical debut in Arsenic and Old Lace at Westport High School in 1958 and George recalls theater as an integral part of his life since as far back as grammar school.
He shares, “Theater is the perfect escape. The creative process, especially on stage, is ephemeral. Every performance is unique to that moment, the audience, your sense of space and then it is gone, ready to be recreated in the next performance.”
Both founded the New Bedford Festival Theatre in 1990. It and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra are the resident companies at the 1200-seat Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford, Massachusetts. George, left, and Armand, shown in the photo here, in front of the theater, affectionately called the Z. Armand boasts, “There is no other city of commensurate size within 50 miles to boast a stage of such renown.”
GEORGE AND ARMAND
Armand and George graduated Bridgewater State with degrees in English and History, respectively. They joined New Bedford High School’s English Department, teaching everything from English Literature to Intro to Film, Play Production and American Musical Theater. But it was the school’s Drama Club where both honed their behind the scenes theater skills.
During their tenure, the pair co-directed over 60 productions for the award-winning New Bedford High School Drama Club, including their favorite shows, Mame, The Wiz, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, My Fair Lady and Hello, Dolly!
Working full time didn’t stop the pair from pursuing their own acting goals. Armand has performed as an actor, singer, dancer and understudy in over 60 college, dinner-theater and community shows. He counts portrayals of Moon from Anything Goes, Philip II of France from Lion in the Winter and the wise-cracking, increasingly-indiscreet Sydney Cochran from Neil Simon’s California Suite as his favorite roles.
George, too, has his favorite performances, including Sancho Panza in Man of la Mancha, the Emcee in Cabaret and John Adams in 1776.
Currently, the Festival Theatre is producing Disney’s Beauty & the Beast with, Wendy Hall, Executive Producer, and professional actors from Boston, New York and beyond. The show begins rehearsals July 4 and offers eight performances from July 22 – July 31.
(Click here to join fellow Bridgewater State alumni at the annual Brunch & A Show, Sunday, July 31, 2022.)
George explains, “We began the Brunch & A Show about 15 years ago, welcoming fellow alumni to the final afternoon performance. It is such a special event, connecting with new and old friends, and one we both look forward to each year.”
New Bedford Festival Theatre is a 5-time recipient of the prestigious New England Theatre Conference Moss Hart Award. Armand shares, “We are proud to be a ‘stepping stone’ theater with many of our performers heading to Broadway. In fact, we currently boast two performers in the very popular Disney’s Aladdin.”
Most recently, the pair have created a Summer Academy for students from area high schools seeking a career in theater. The Summer Academy welcomes 20-25 scholars who work and share learning and best practices with the cast in a true hands-on environment.
George observes, “These are Equity actors bestowing the most personal and real experience. It is amazing to watch how both parties interact and learn from each other.”
Armand sums it up best, “I still get stage struck! From my early childhood, Gene Kelly dazzled me with his elaborate and energetic dance routines. Being the theater and film critic for the Campus Comment, I was assigned to interview Bob Dylan when he appeared at Bridgewater State.
Theater, whether performing or putting a show together, is demanding, but also the most rewarding work I’ve ever done. I am truly blessed to do what I love and love what I do.”
There are still lots of shows to put on. New this year, George and Armand are beginning a three production season and you can rest assured, the Alumni Association will create events to let you access all the fun and excitement.
The Three Musketeers! George Charbonneau, ’66, G’70; Ellen Cuttle Oliver, ’82, G’89, Chief Developent Officer, Office of Alumni & Development and Executive Director of the BSU Foundation; and Armand Marchand, ’66, G’70, at Homecoming 2019.