Venue Directory

Providence Performing Arts Center
The Theatre, which is now called the Providence Performing Arts Center, was opened as a Loew’s Movie Palace on October 6, 1928. It was designed by George and C.W. Rapp of Chicago, renowned theatre architects.
Excavation.jpegMarcus Loew's philosophy was to sell tickets to theatres; this was the inspiration for building this opulent theatre which cost $2.5 million upon completion. On opening day, more than 14,000 people came to see Joe Stoves play the $90,000 Robert Morton organ, accompanying the film “Excess Baggage”. Most people came just to see the magnificence of the interior, sparkling with gilding on intricate plasterwork, columns of imported marble, and huge crystal chandeliers.
History and Renaissance
After several decades of sustained success, the theatre's attendance declined mid-century as televisions became more popular. In addition to mounting economic hardships, the theatre suffered damage in the hurricanes of 1938 and 1954. The Theatre narrowly escaped demolition in the 1970s. Now, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and plays a vital role in the City’s ongoing renaissance. The stage house was expanded in 1995, a state-of-the-art sound system was installed in 1996, and the Grand Lobby and Arcade were painstakingly restored to their 1928 splendor in 1998. It is now a world-class facility hosting first-class Broadway touring shows, plays, contemporary acts, concerts, and much more. In place of the Morgan is a rare, five-manual Mighty Wurlitzer organ; the 28’ by 51’ movie screen again shines brightly with current and classic films.
In the Summer of 1999, during Phase 1 of the Auditorium Restoration Project, the proscenium which frames the stage, the wall and ceiling areas under the balcony, and the front edge of the loge were meticulously researched and restored to their original ornate beauty. During Phase 2 in the Summer of 2000, the project completed the restoration work on the ceiling and walls throughout the Auditorium.
In 2000, PPAC got a facelift with the addition of the Providence vertical and full color LED marquee. The entire Theatre was re-carpeted in 2000 in the pattern that duplicates the original from 1928. The summer of 2002 saw the installation of a state of the art computerized HVAC system which provides patrons with a more comfortable and enjoyable theatregoing experience. Standing ground water and asbestos were also removed from the basement during this project.
During the summer of 2003, additional sprinklers, smoke, and heat detection equipment were installed within the Theatre, along with new lobby audiovisual equipment including plasma televisions. In summer of 2004, the open fire escapes along Page Street and Richmond Street were replaced with covered, closed stairways for safer egress of patrons; branch wiring to fixtures and receptacles throughout the Theatre and Lobby were replaced; and a custom designed and built chandelier was placed in the main dome of the Theatre.
In the summer of 2005, the auditorium’s seats were replaced and an elevator installed that carries patrons between the Lobby and all other levels of the theatre. In 2006, PPAC successfully completed a $7,000,000 Capital Campaign for Facility Improvements, under the leadership of Campaign Co-Chairs and PPAC Trustees Jack Kramer and Mark T. Ryan. This campaign raised funds for further capital improvement projects to complete the restoration of the Theatre to its original 1928 splendor. Today, the beauty of the Theatre combined with the excellence of the productions makes every event at the Providence Performing Arts Center a work of art.
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At-a-
Glance-
Contact Info
Providence Performing Arts Center
220 Weybosset St.
Providence, RI 02903Phone: 401-421-2787 | Email | Official Website
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Map
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Parking Info
The Central Parking Garage is located on Weybosset Street directly across from the Theatre at 233 Weybosset St. Parking is also available at the corner of Weybosset and Empire Street (1 block up from the theatre). In addition, there is parking behind the Theatre on Pine Street, on Richmond Street and on Chapel Street (behind the Central Parking Garage).
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Accessibility Services
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Technical Specs
The Providence Performing Arts Center is a world-class facility hosting first-class Broadway touring shows, plays, contemporary acts, concerts, and YOUR event. We offer full service theatre rentals for presentations and much more.
PPAC function rooms are also available for rent. If you are interested in booking any type of event at PPAC, you may email us now at events@ppacri.org, or call us at 401-421-2997 ext. 4.
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Current Events
There are no current events at this time.
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Upcoming Events
06/15/12 Crosby, Stills & Nash
Providence Performing Arts Center08/15/12-
09/02/12Jersey Boys
Providence Performing Arts Center10/07/12-
10/14/12Catch Me If You Can
Providence Performing Arts Center11/04/12-
11/10/12Elf
Providence Performing Arts Center11/16/12 Ron White
Providence Performing Arts Center11/23/12-
11/25/12Fiddler On The Roof
Providence Performing Arts Center12/04/12-
12/09/12Memphis
Providence Performing Arts Center01/01/13-
01/06/13Jekyll & Hyde
Providence Performing Arts Center01/15/13-
01/20/13Million Dollar Quartet
Providence Performing Arts Center02/08/13-
02/10/13American Idiot
Providence Performing Arts Center03/01/13-
03/03/13Blue Man Group
Providence Performing Arts Center04/09/13-
04/14/13Sister Act
Providence Performing Arts Center04/26/13-
04/28/13Peter Pan
Providence Performing Arts Center06/05/13-
06/09/13War Horse
Providence Performing Arts Center
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NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.
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Current &
Upcoming Events-
Current Events
There are no current events at this time.
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Upcoming Events
06/15/12 Crosby, Stills & Nash
Providence Performing Arts Center08/15/12-
09/02/12Jersey Boys
Providence Performing Arts Center10/07/12-
10/14/12Catch Me If You Can
Providence Performing Arts Center11/04/12-
11/10/12Elf
Providence Performing Arts Center11/16/12 Ron White
Providence Performing Arts Center11/23/12-
11/25/12Fiddler On The Roof
Providence Performing Arts Center12/04/12-
12/09/12Memphis
Providence Performing Arts Center01/01/13-
01/06/13Jekyll & Hyde
Providence Performing Arts Center01/15/13-
01/20/13Million Dollar Quartet
Providence Performing Arts Center02/08/13-
02/10/13American Idiot
Providence Performing Arts Center03/01/13-
03/03/13Blue Man Group
Providence Performing Arts Center04/09/13-
04/14/13Sister Act
Providence Performing Arts Center04/26/13-
04/28/13Peter Pan
Providence Performing Arts Center06/05/13-
06/09/13War Horse
Providence Performing Arts Center
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Past
Events-
Past Events
05/11/12-
05/12/12Festival Ballet: Swan Lake
Providence Performing Arts Center05/04/12-
05/06/12Burn The Floor
Providence Performing Arts Center04/24/12-
04/29/12Bring It On The Musical
Providence Performing Arts Center04/19/12 The Moody Blues
Providence Performing Arts Center04/14/12 David Sedaris
Providence Performing Arts Center03/31/12 Chris Botti & RIPO
Providence Performing Arts Center03/20/12-
03/25/12The Addams Family
Providence Performing Arts Center03/09/12-
03/11/12Sesame Street Live
Providence Performing Arts Center03/02/12-
03/04/12Come Fly Away
Providence Performing Arts Center02/08/12-
02/19/12Mary Poppins
Providence Performing Arts Center01/19/12 Shen Yun
Providence Performing Arts Center01/03/12-
01/08/12Shrek The Musical
Providence Performing Arts Center12/13/11-
12/18/11Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Providence Performing Arts Center12/09/11-
12/11/11The Nutcracker
Providence Performing Arts Center11/22/11 Hey Providence, It's Your Birthday!
Providence Performing Arts Center11/15/11-
11/20/11How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical
Providence Performing Arts Center11/01/11-
11/06/11Les Miserables
Providence Performing Arts Center10/04/11-
10/09/11Rock of Ages
Providence Performing Arts Center08/28/11-
09/03/11Style Week Providence
Providence Performing Arts Center07/15/11 Brian McKnigh & Anthony David
Providence Performing Arts Center05/25/11 A Conversation with Steve Martin
Providence Performing Arts Center05/20/11-
05/22/11The Aluminum Show
Providence Performing Arts Center05/12/11 Earth, Wind & Fire
Providence Performing Arts Center05/10/11 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Providence Performing Arts Center05/05/11 Disney's Imagination Movers
Providence Performing Arts Center04/26/11-
05/01/11West Side Story
Providence Performing Arts Center04/22/11 Neil Young
Providence Performing Arts Center04/21/11 Kevin Hart
Providence Performing Arts Center04/15/11-
04/17/11Monty Python’s Spamalot
Providence Performing Arts Center04/08/11-
04/10/11Madagascar Live!
Providence Performing Arts Center04/05/11 Yanni
Providence Performing Arts Center03/22/11-
03/29/11Next to Normal
Providence Performing Arts Center03/17/11 Wanda Sykes
Providence Performing Arts Center03/13/11 Riverdance
Providence Performing Arts Center03/12/11 The Party Tour
Providence Performing Arts Center03/04/11-
03/06/11The Blue Man Group
Providence Performing Arts Center02/01/11-
01/20/11Disney Presents The Lion King
Providence Performing Arts Center12/17/10-
12/19/10The Nutcracker
Providence Performing Arts Center12/07/10-
12/12/10Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific
Providence Performing Arts Center11/12/10-
11/28/10Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes
Providence Performing Arts Center10/30/10 Cirque de la Symphonie
Providence Performing Arts Center09/30/10 An Evening with Dr. Maya Angelou
Providence Performing Arts Center09/25/10 Pilobolus
Providence Performing Arts Center09/10/10 A Night with Captian Sig and the Hillstrand Brothers from Deadliest Catch
Providence Performing Arts Center07/28/10 Best of Rhode Island Party
Providence Performing Arts Center06/26/10-
06/27/10Shen Yun
Providence Performing Arts Center06/02/10-
06/06/10Jersey Boys
Providence Performing Arts Center
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