Things are changing at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. A remodel and upgrade to the building is in the works, but this leaves Artistic Director, Mary Kate Burke, with a need for a remote location for the next two years while the theatre undergoes its renovation.
However, this isn’t the first time the folks at CFRT have had to pivot. During Covid, the crew found makeshift event spaces to continue producing their art. They performed at a few outdoor spaces like the old Haymount Auto spot, now the Truck Stop.
“Covid gave us the opportunity to learn how to create theatre in non-traditional spaces,” Burke said.
This change will be a little more traditional. Burke and the others at Cape Fear Regional will be moving their production space to The Bordeaux Hotel at 1707 Owen Drive — the space is now known as The Good Homes Bordeaux — transforming the top floor into an “engaging, dynamic” theatre.
The hotel itself is being converted to one-bedroom apartments. Burke said she is excited for the change since there is a housing shortage in the area. Even more exciting, is the sort of kismet around the partnership. Burke notes that the motto of the company that owns The Good Home Bordeaux is “Good Homes for Great People” and Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s slogan has been “Great Stories Told Here.” For her, they seem to fit together.
CFRT will have a five-season show for 2024-2025 including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which has been going on for 33 years this year. The season’s opening show is still to be determined but it will be followed by Puffs in October. This production is about a “very well-known wizard series,” Burke says with a smile.
“It’s a 90 minute tour de force,” she says. “If you liked The Play That Goes Wrong, you’ll love Puffs. It’ll be a silly good time.”
Following that will be The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. This year the show will have four different casts and up to 40 youths involved in the production. After that, the theatre will put on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This production will be directed by Marc De La Concha. De La Concha is the director of education and directed Matilda. Burke says this production will have a lot of opportunities for youth performers.
“Its going to be a family favorite.”
The follow up to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be Steel Magnolias. Burke describes it as a beloved Southern masterpiece. This production will happen in the springtime for CFRT.
“We are really excited to bring this story to life,” she said. “It’s both hilarious and touching.”
With all these productions and managing the change of locations, Burke notes that it’s ironic that Steel Magnolias has a large theme about change since the theatre and staff will undergo so much change during the next two years.
“Change can be something you have to be thoughtful about when you manage.”
The last production in the theatre's 2024-2025 season will be Once on This Island. The show is a different story from The Little Mermaid, with “incredible” music, according to Burke. She and the other members of the staff at the theatre are excited about the upcoming changes and any challenges along the way.
Their new space will have less seating than their home space in Haymount so Burke recommends getting a season pass as those pass holders will have priority in seating. The theatre will still have all the education programs but where they will be held will be forthcoming.
“Even though it’s going to be in a different location, we are still going to be serving the community in the same ways we always have,” she said.

(Photo: The Good Homes Bordeaux, formerly the Holiday Inn Bordeaux, will be the new home of Cape Fear Regional Theatre for the next two seasons.  Photo by Linda McAllister)