The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center will mark Memorial Day weekend with a lineup of comedy, live music and classic films, headlined by a special Memorial Day screening of “Saving Private Ryan” in partnership with Rhode Island’s World War II Foundation.
The Steven Spielberg film, winner of five Academy Awards including Best Director, will screen at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 25, with no trailers. Following the film, Tim Gray, president, founder and filmmaker of the World War II Foundation, will lead a brief talk and audience discussion exploring the film’s historical and emotional impact.
A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the World War II Foundation and its International Museum of World War II in Wakefield, which was recently recognized by National Geographic as one of the top World War II museums in the world.
The weekend’s festivities begin Friday, May 22, with a concert from rock and roll musician Willie Nile, making his first theatrical appearance at the theater alongside Rhode Island favorites The Raindogs. Nile, fresh off recent performances with Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, recently released the album “The Great Yellow Light,” which earned four stars from MOJO. The concert also celebrates the 40th anniversary of The Raindogs’ “Lost Souls” LP. Led by Mark Cutler, Emerson Torrey and Darren Hill, the band famously opened for Bob Dylan during the album’s original tour cycle. Presented in partnership with Broadway Street Fair, the concert serves as a benefit to launch the 2026 BSF season.
VIP doors open at 6 p.m. and general admission doors at 6:30 p.m., with the show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for general admission and $65 for VIP reserved seating, with general admission prices increasing closer to show day.
On Saturday, May 23, the Rogue Island Comedy Festival takes over the theater with three showcases of nationally touring comedians. The 4:30 p.m. show features Tina Friml, who has appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Comedy Central’s “Featuring,” “Don’t Tell Comedy” and “The Drew Barrymore Show,” along with Alexis Bradby and Lucas Estrella. A 6:30 p.m. showcase is headlined by Jimmy Cash, known online as the “Janitor with Stamina,” and features Shaquana Cochran, Daniel Geneen, Allyson Vastano, Kendra Cunningham and Raj Suresh. The festival closes with an 8:30 p.m. show led by Cash alongside Hannah Jones, with additional performances by Jamal Russell, Sean Reilly and Miranda Meadows. Doug Key hosts all three showcases.
Sunday, May 24, brings two anniversary film screenings. A 25th anniversary celebration of “Shrek” begins at 1 p.m., with complimentary green cookies as the theater transforms into Far Far Away for the family-friendly event. At 7 p.m., the 1980s classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” starring Matthew Broderick, returns to the big screen.
For tickets and full event information, visit janepickens.com.
