Jon Mulaney. Chelsea Handler. Jay Pharoah. Marc Maron. These are some powerhouse names in comedy, and they’ll all be landing in Rhode Island in March 2026 for year two of the Lil Rhody Laugh Riot. “We tried this last year because we’d seen such a comedy boom coming out of Covid,” said Dan Schwartz, general […]
Frank O'Donnell
Frank O’Donnell has worn many different hats. As an actor, he’s performed in three professional theatrical productions and countless community theater productions. He’s written, produced and directed four holiday-themed shows and once helmed the Notfanuttin’ Players, specializing in audience-participation dinner shows. He’s been performing as a stand-up comedian since 1982 and has been inducted into the RI Comedy Hall of Fame. He’s written comedy for other performers, like Bob Hope, Jay Leno and Joe Piscopo. He’s opened for performers as diverse as the Judds, Michael Bolton, Chicago, David Brenner, Gilbert Gottfried and more. He’s been writing reviews and features about theater in Rhode Island for better than two decades. His work to help save the monarch butterfly has been chronicled on NBC Nightly News and he is president of the Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund. A native of Providence and long-time resident of North Providence, Frank now calls Jamestown home. He and his wife Karen – who he met when both were students at Classical High School – have four children, and recently became grandparents.
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‘Six: The Musical’ reigns supreme at PPAC
“Six: The Musical” starts out strong and never lets up. The show – more a high-energy pop concert than a typical Broadway musical – focuses on the six wives of England’s notorious 16th century ruler, Henry VIII. It’s the latest Broadway offering at the Providence Performing Arts Center. “Six” opens with the curtains parting and […]
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Magic and mayhem take center stage in ‘Harry Potter & The Cursed Child’
Let’s get this out of the way. In Harry Potter terminology, I guess I’m a Muggle. Officially (according to Wikipedia anyway) is “a person who lacks any sort of magical ability.” In my mind, a Muggle is someone who’s not fully steeped in the lore of Potterworld. Now that we’ve got that out of the […]
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Dewey Bunnell keeps America’s music alive on the road
Fifty-five years after the band America was formed, Dewey Bunnell finds it “very satisfying that our songs still have a life. All of it is exciting.” I had a nice chat with Bunnell recently in advance of America’s appearance at the Providence Performing Arts Center on October 18. He was relaxing in his home in […]
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Theatre by the Sea closes season with Elvis musical ‘Heartbreak Hotel’
Theatre by the Sea closes out its 2025 season with “Heartbreak Hotel,” the jukebox musical featuring over 40 songs from the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley. The show chronicles Elvis’ life from his dirt-poor childhood in Memphis through his 1968 TV special on NBC, often called his comeback show. The younger Elvis (Laird […]
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‘Hairspray’ at Theatre by the Sea: A rare musical exception
It’s not often you’ll see a musical and have nothing but good things to say about it. The current production of “Hairspray” at Theatre by the Sea is that rare exception. In the first ten minutes, you’re treated to high-octane production numbers with “Good Morning, Baltimore” and “Nicest Kids in Town,” and you can’t help […]
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Theatre Review: ‘Waitress’ serves up a sweet slice of life at Theatre by the Sea
Jenna (Dakota Mackey-McGee) is a hard-working waitress with a knack for creating delicious pies. Unexpectedly pregnant, she’s navigating a loveless marriage with her abusive husband, Earl. To make things more difficult, she falls into a torrid affair with her obstetrician, Dr. Pomatter (Christopher deProphetis). In a nutshell, that’s the plot of “Waitress,” now on stage […]
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‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ is a fun bit of escapism
When I spoke with Zan Berube recently, she told me that “Back to the Future: The Musical” was a “tech heavy” show. Berube plays Lorraine, Marty McFly’s mother, in the musical now on stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The musical is based on the 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea […]
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‘Chicago’ heats up PPAC with Ellie Roddy as Roxie Hart
Ellie Roddy is only 25 years old, and she’s already checking off parts on her Dream Roles list. “The fact that I’ve gotten to play Roxie Hart is a big check mark.” Roddy is traveling with the national tour of CHICAGO, opening at the Providence Performing Arts Center this weekend. A native of Orlando, Roddy […]
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Gamm Theatre will celebrate 40 years with a star-Studded ‘Grand Night’ gala
The Gamm Theatre will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a Gala on May 8. “The theme will be like a movie opening,” said Tony Estrella, the Gamm’s Artistic Director. “We’re having it at the Graduate (in downtown Providence). A great place for it.” The gala is called A Grand Night, and the Gamm “will roll […]
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Music as Medicine: Sangita Sisters bringing Kirtan to Cranston
They call themselves the Sangita Sisters. Six women who met “divinely” to perform Kirtan. What’s Kirtan, you ask? “It’s a form of devotional music,” says Sarah Loomis, one of the six Sisters. “It’s the music of yoga.” On Saturday, March 22, the Sisters will be performing in a fundraising event at Raffa Life Yoga Studio […]
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‘Blind Date Interrupted’ brings comedy to Newport’s dating scene
“Blind Date Interrupted.” Sounds like a Hallmark rom-com, doesn’t it? It’s actually the name of a brand-new experiment in “outrageous comedy” debuting at Top of Pelham in Newport on Thursday, February 13. “It’s a concept we developed,” says DJ O’Hara of the Newport Comedy Series. The production team wanted to focus on theme shows. They’ve […]
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Lil Rhody Laugh Riot to feature mix of national headliners and local talent
The email’s subject line caught my attention: “New Comedy Festival Set to Launch in Providence in March.” The Lil Rhody Laugh Riot covers four days in late March, spread out over two major venues, the Vets and PPAC, and a couple of smaller ones, like the Hide Speakeasy downstairs at The George and Alchemy. The […]
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Theatre Review: ‘Mamma Mia!’ continues to delight audiences with standout performances and energetic dance numbers
“Mamma Mia!” is back at the Providence Performing Arts Center. This is the fifth time here for the show, and enthusiasm for it has not waned. In case you’re unaware, “Mamma Mia!” is a jukebox musical built around the music of Abba. The story that weaves the songs together focuses on Sophie, a young about-to-be […]
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‘Shucked’ brings ‘corny’ comedy to Providence Performing Arts Center
The question folks have been asking: What is “Shucked” about? Glad you asked. The answer is corn. If you’re going to see “Shucked” at the Providence Performing Arts Center – and you should – be prepared to laugh. In cases, laugh hard. The emphasis is on comedy in this musical comedy, which launches its first […]
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Miss Rhode Island Teen 2023 takes on a new role in ‘The Sound of Music’
Mia Daley is spending her summer days going to the beach. Well, close to the beach. Daley will be spending a good chunk of her summer at Theatre by the Sea, appearing as Louisa in “The Sound of Music.” So far, says the East Greenwich actor, “it truly has been such a wonderful experience.” Daley, […]
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Providence Fringe Festival returns for 11th year with 50 shows
Brien Lang has been with the Providence Fringe Festival “pretty much since the beginning.” Actually, Lang has been part of the festival since its second year, and it’s now in its 11th year. Lang is the Director of New Works at the Wilbury Theatre Group. Since his first year with the festival, it has “grown […]
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‘Arcadia’ ready to shine at Jamestown Community Theatre
Four years after it was supposed to be produced, Jamestown Community Theater presents “Arcadia” by Tom Stoppard. The play “was initially planned to be part of JCT’s 30th anniversary season,” said Ricky Martin, JCT’s artistic director, “in summer 2020, when the world shut down.” Stoppard’s play is hard to explain. It’s a modern-day exploration of […]
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Review: ‘Tootsie’ at Theatre By The Sea is a terrific way to kick off your summer
You’re a decent New York actor but your constant head-butting with directors makes you unemployable. What do you do? Slap on a wig, a dress, some pearls and a pair of pumps, and audition as a woman, of course. Welcome to “Tootsie,” the newest offering at Theatre by the Sea. The musical is based on […]
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Review: Ben Platt pulls out all the stops at PPAC
Until yesterday, I thought Ben Platt was a Broadway performer. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I knew him as the performer who originated the lead role in “Dear Evan Hansen” which earned him a Tony Award. I knew he’d recently played the lead in “Parade” on Broadway, and that he’d just wrapped up […]
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Theatre Review: ‘Doubt: A Parable’ is a powerful tale
John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt: A Parable” opens with a sermon about doubt. Father Flynn (Benjamin Grills) asks, “What do you do if you’re not sure?” The homily sets the tone for the show, and quickly lets us know the timeframe, referencing President Kennedy’s assassination a year earlier. So, 1964. Flynn’s sermon wraps up with, “Doubt […]
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Theatre Review: ‘Company’ at PPAC is worth seeing
“Company” opens with Bobbie coming into her tiny apartment dragging a mylar balloon showing the number 35 and carrying a brown-paper-bagged bottle of bourbon. She pours a drink and listens to her voice mail, one of which is from a friend who lets it slip that Bobbie’s friends have a surprise party planned for her. […]
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Theatre Review: ‘Twelfth Night’ at The Gamm Theatre is fun and funny
Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” begins with a shipwreck. Twins Viola and Sebastian are tossed into the sea. Viola is saved. Sebastian is feared lost. Brought to Illyria by her rescuers, Viola takes on the appearance of a boy, working as Cesario, a page to Illyria’s Duke Orsino. Now hold onto your hat, it gets a little […]
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Theatre Review: ‘Frozen’ at PPAC is a fun and satisfying show
I’ll admit it. I’ve never watched Disney’s animated “Frozen” from start to finish. I’ve seen parts but never the whole thing. And, of course, I’ve heard the soundtrack over and over again. So, I looked forward to seeing the live version of “Frozen” at the Providence Performing Arts Center. And I was not disappointed. The […]
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Theatre Review: ‘Moulin Rouge: The Musical’ at PPAC
“Moulin Rouge: The Musical” starts before the first big song medley begins. Scantily clad women and men interact in slow motion on a fully lit stage behind a hanging neon-lettered “Moulin Rouge.” The set is done up in red – heavy on the “rouge” – with ever-smaller heart-shaped arches. The performers exit slowly, and the […]