Luca Patuelli is known as Lazylegz. He’s had a muscular condition called arthrogryposis since birth. “It can affect any part of the body,” said Patuelli in our recent interview. “This [hit] my legs,” so he gets around with the help of braces and crutches. So, when I tell you that Patuelli manages and performs in […]
PPAC
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Van Morrison’s concert at PPAC postponed until September 22 and 24
Van Morrison fans, you’ll have to wait a little longer to see Van the Man. The singer’s two-night stand, originally scheduled for May 11-12 at the Providence Performing Arts Center today has been postponed. The following statement was issued by PPAC this afternoon: Providence, RI – With regret, the Van Morrison performances on Thursday, May 11 […]
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‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (April 28-30)
Welcome to “Six Picks Events,” our weekly column highlighting some of the best events happening around the state. This week, we’re featuring world-class theater, pure dance, and a couple of beer and wine festivals. Have a great weekend! All Weekend: The Children at the Gamm Theatre in Warwick tells the story of retired scientists Hazel […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theater Review: Beetlejuice as good as it gets at PPAC
Who’s the most loveable demon around? You’ve got to say his name three times. It must be spoken, unbroken. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice! “Beetlejuice,” the last Broadway show of PPAC’s 2022/2023 season, is as good as the best shows PPAC presented this year – and that includes “Tina” and “Six.” “Beetlejuice” is arguably better, as it’s […]
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PPAC announces student winners of ARTS scholarships
Providence, RI – The members of the Community Outreach Committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) are pleased to announce the recipients of the ARTS Scholarships 2023 program, made possible by the generosity of Textron Charitable Trust and PPAC’s Annual Fund Donors with support from the Ocean State Charities Trust. The 2023 class of recipients is PPAC’s largest […]
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Theater Review: SIX, amazing and stunning at PPAC
Whatever you do, don’t go into “Six,” the Broadway musical at the Providence Performing Arts Center through next Sunday, April 23, expecting a boring historical look at the six wives of Henry VIII. “Six” is an amazing and stunning work, unlike any Broadway show that preceded it. Presented in concert form, complete with fantastic music […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment, Things To Do
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (April 14-16)
Things continue to spring back to life around Rhode Island this weekend with some great theater, a foodie film event, ballet, and a cannabis festival all on the agenda. Check out “Six Picks Events” below to learn more. All Weekend: The Foodie Film Festival returns to the Jane Pickens Film and Events Center in Newport […]
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Theater Review: HADESTOWN at PPAC ranks among the best
How do you adapt an ancient Greek tragedy into an uplifting modern musical? In the case of HADESTOWN, look to indie-folk musician and playwright Anais Mitchell who blends contemporary issues into a timeless story, with great music, brilliant choreography, and a compelling plot. The award-winning musical HADESTOWN is in town at the Providence Performing Arts […]
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What’s Up Interview: Chibueze Ihuoma, starring in HADESTOWN at PPAC March 21-26
The eight-time Tony Award-winning musical HADESTOWN opens at the Providence Performing Arts Center next Tuesday, March 21. The musical, the brainchild of acclaimed musician Anais Mitchell, was the most honored show of the 2019 Broadway season winning four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Johnny Mathis returning to PPAC for ‘The Voice of Romance Tour’
Johnny Mathis, the legendary crooner known as the “Voice of Romance,” is set to return to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) as part of his “The Voice of Romance Tour.” Mathis will perform his greatest hits and personal favorites on September 23, 2023, at 8 PM. Tickets for Mathis’ concert will go on sale […]
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‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (Feb. 3-5)
According to forecasters, it’s gonna be a chilly weekend, but don’t fret, “the sun will come out tomorrow,” especially at the Providence Performing Arts Center where the classic musical Annie is playing all weekend. That and more, in this week’s “Six Picks Events.” All Weekend: It’s a hard knock life indeed. The uplifting story of […]
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What’s Up Interview: Meet Chris Swan, playing Daddy Warbucks in PPAC’s ‘Annie’
You could call Chris Swan a road warrior. Since 2014, he’s been traveling the road in one Broadway production or another. “The first was ‘A Christmas Story,’ where I played The Old Man,” said Swan recently. “That was the big one that got me into touring.” Next week, Swan comes to the Providence Performing Arts […]
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Theater Review: ‘Jagged Little Pill’ resonates at PPAC
“Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you.” Another in a series of popular jukebox musicals is playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) through Sunday, January 22. Jagged Little Pill is a compelling story inspired by the groundbreaking 1995 Alanis Morissette album of the same name. The Tony and Grammy-award-winning production […]
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What’s Up Interview: Legendary rapper Kurtis Blow, appearing at PPAC Dec. 7 in ‘Hip Hop Nutcracker’
Going to see Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” during the holiday season is a time-honored tradition for many families. Over the past few years, a troupe of singers, dancers, and musicians have put a twist on the tradition in the award-winning production “Hip Hop Nutcracker.” Originally staged ten years ago, the show has grown in popularity and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Marie Osmond, performing with RI Philharmonic at the Providence Performing Arts Center Dec. 22
With almost six decades in the entertainment industry behind her, you might expect Marie Osmond to be slowing down a bit. Definitely not the case. In an interview earlier this week, I found the multi-talented entertainer a juggernaut, going strong at age 63, moving forward, and loving life. I caught up with Osmond as she […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theater Review: Les Misérables begins a thrilling run at PPAC
Question: Why is Les Misérables considered by many to be the greatest musical of all time? Answer: It’s a compelling character-driven story, with powerful acting, timeless music, and impressive set design. Those elements, which drove the musical to prominence in the 1980s, were on display at the show’s opening night performance at the Providence Performing […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Les Misérables returning to PPAC November 15-20
It’s a show that continues to inspire audiences over 35 years since debuting in London. The Tony Award-winning musical Les Misérables returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center for several performances next week. Tickets for the Providence Performing Arts Center engagement November 15 – 20, 2022 are on sale now here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5ImbMCxtE More about the […]
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Ray LaMontagne’s concert at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, November 1 has been POSTPONED
Providence, RI – Due to an illness in the touring party, Ray LaMontagne is postponing his concert at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 as part of the fall MONOVISION tour. All tickets purchased for these original dates will be honored at the new rescheduled date, which will be announced very soon. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
The Avett Brothers coming to the Providence Performing Arts Center May 23, 2023
Providence, RI – THE AVETT BROTHERS will perform at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Providence, RI on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 7:30P. It has been five years since they played in Rhode Island. A pre-sale for The Avett Guild members starts on Tuesday, November 1 at noon. Venue pre-sale starts on Wednesday, November 2 […]
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What’s Up Interview: Lily Meola, singer-songwriter opening for Ray LaMontagne at PPAC Nov. 1
A rising star in the music world will be at the Providence Performing Arts Center next week. That’s when singer-songwriter Lily Meola, fresh off receiving a golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent, opens for Ray LaMontagne as part of his MONOVISION Tour. Although she didn’t win the million-dollar prize on the popular talent show, Meola […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s up in RI this weekend (Oct. 20-23)
Each weekend we bring you some of the best events around the state in “Six Picks Events.” This week features ballet, comedy, a classical guitar extravaganza, and a beer festival. Details below. Friday: Head to the Providence Performing Arts Center Friday night at 7:30 for whats certain to be a good time with Randy Rainbow […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
‘The Hip Hop Nutcracker’ returns to PPAC on Dec. 7
The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s 130-year-old ballet reimagined as a holiday dance spectacle, will travel to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:30 pm this holiday season while celebrating the show’s 10th season. Tickets go on sale on Friday, October 14, 2022, at the PPAC Box Office (220 Weybosset Street in downtown […]
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Theater Review: PPAC’s ‘An Officer and a Gentleman,’ delivers predictable fun
Perhaps you’ve heard the term “jukebox musical.” Typically, it’s a show that takes a group of well-known songs from a particular artist or genre and stitches them together with a new story. For instance, there’s MAMMA MIA!, taking a group of songs by Abba and building them into a story about a young girl about […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Musical “An Officer and a Gentleman” coming to PPAC Feb.18-20
Providence, RI – AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, a new musical based on the Oscar-winning film and original screenplay by Douglas Day Stewart, will play the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) Friday, February 18 through Sunday, February 20, 2022. The musical production is set at the U.S. Naval Station in Newport, RI. AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN celebrates […]
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Cheap Trick coming to Providence Performing Arts Center
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Cheap Trick will perform live on the PPAC stage on Saturday, November 13 at 8 PM. The show will be their first performance in the theatre since 1989. Cheap Trick is known as one of rock’s hardest working live acts, playing live in venues worldwide more than 150 […]