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 […]
Providence Performing Arts Center
Posted inArts & Culture
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 inArts & Culture
‘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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles, Things To Do
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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
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 inArts & Culture
Behind the Scenes at PPAC with TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
Larry Smiglewski is working 24/7. “We’re in tech [rehearsal], so basically an all-hours thing.” Smiglewski is the production stage manager for “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical.” The show’s national tour is launching this week from the Providence Performing Arts Center. This is the 21st show to use PPAC as its launch pad for a national […]
Posted inThings To Do
Six Picks Music: The best local music this weekend (June 10-12)
“Peace and love.” It’s a folk-fueled week on “Six Picks” with local and nationally known indie-folk artists playing various spots around town. That, plus a couple of fundraisers to support local music organizations. Read the details on “Six Picks,” the best in local music this weekend! Friday: Wanna change the world? “Listen …” (see below). […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (May 20-22)
A warm and sunny weekend is forecast for the region – no excuses not to get out and safely have some fun. Here are “Six Picks” for the upcoming weekend around Rhode Island. All Weekend: Blue Man Group returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center for what promises to be a high-energy show full of […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Blue Man Group returning to the Providence Performing Arts Center MAY 20 – 22, 2022
Providence, RI — More than 50 million people around the world have experienced the smash hit phenomenon that is BLUE MAN GROUP and now it’s your turn! BLUE MAN GROUP returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) for a limited engagement on their newNorth American tour, May 20 – 22, 2022. It’s everything you know and love about BLUE MAN GROUP—signature […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: We meet cast members of PPAC musical ‘Ain’t Too Proud’
If you haven’t heard, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is one of the season’s biggest hits. Running through Sunday at the Providence Performing Arts Center, the musical has earned enthusiastic reviews both nationally and locally. We met a couple of the stars of the show earlier this week at […]
Posted inNews
Providence Performing Arts Center Announces 2022/2023 Broadway Season
Providence, RI – At a press conference held in the Providence Performing Arts Center’s (PPAC) Grand Lobby this morning, PPAC Board Chairman Joseph W. Walsh, Esq. made opening remarks, welcoming the attendees to PPAC, and President and CEO J.L. “Lynn” Singleton announced the theatre’s upcoming 2022/2023 Broadway Season. The press conference was livestreamed courtesy of WPRI 12 athttps://www.wpri.com/watch/live-streaming-special-coverage/“Thank […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
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
“Six Picks” Events: What to do in RI this weekend – Trolls, Burgers and Bruins
It’s another busy winter weekend out there with lots to do in and around RI. Check out a few happenings around the state in our weekly feature “Six Picks Events.” All Weekend: Don’t miss An Officer and a Gentleman at the Providence Performing Arts Center this weekend. The producers of the 1982 Richard Gere, Deborah […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Choreographer Patti Wilcox of “An Officer and a Gentleman” – at PPAC Feb 18-20
Patti Wilcox was pretty cheery when we chatted recently. “I’ve just arrived in Detroit and it’s great.” When I pointed out that “Detroit” and “great” don’t often appear in the same sentence, she laughed. “It’s a good tour city, and it is the home of Motown, so…” Wilcox is part of the creative team that […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Saturday performances of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at PPAC cancelled due to storm
Providence, RI – Due to severe weather conditions, the Saturday, January 29 performances of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at 2P and 8P at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) have been cancelled. PPAC and the JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR company said, “The safety of our audiences, cast, and crew remains our top priority. We regret any disappointment this scheduling change has created […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Economic impact of PPAC’s “Hamilton” estimated at $5.5 million
Providence, RI – J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, President and CEO of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), announced today the results of an Economic Impact Statement, just completed by Advantage Marketing Information, to gauge the impact that the Theatre’s two-week return engagement of HAMILTON had on the state of Rhode Island. The results, which were tabulated from an online […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Providence Performing Arts Center announces ARTS Scholarships program
Providence, RI – The Community Outreach Committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is pleased to announce that applications for the ARTS Scholarships 2022 program will be available on Friday, January 7, 2022; applications will then be accepted until Friday, March 4, 2022 at 4P.The ARTS Scholarships 2022 program, sponsored by The Textron Charitable Trust and the PPAC Annual Fund Donors […]
Posted inArts & Culture
“Rent 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour” coming to PPAC January 14-16
Providence, RI – Ring in the New Year with the RENT 25TH ANNIVERSARY FAREWELL TOUR when it comes to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) for five performances only, January 14 – 16, 2022. The Providence engagement of RENT is part of the Encore Series. Cox Media is the Series Media Sponsor of the Encore Series. Tickets are available now at […]