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    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.


    • At-a-
      Glance

      • Contact Info

        Providence Performing Arts Center

        220 Weybosset St.
        Providence, RI 02903

        Phone: 401-421-2787   |   Email   |   Official Website

      • Map

        Full map and directions

      • 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).

      • Accessibility Services
      • 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.


         

         

        • Current Events

          There are no current events at this time.

        • Upcoming Events
          06/15/12  Crosby, Stills & Nash
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          08/15/12-
          09/02/12 
          Jersey Boys
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          10/07/12-
          10/14/12 
          Catch Me If You Can
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          11/04/12-
          11/10/12 
          Elf
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          11/16/12  Ron White
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          11/23/12-
          11/25/12 
          Fiddler On The Roof
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          12/04/12-
          12/09/12 
          Memphis
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          01/01/13-
          01/06/13 
          Jekyll & Hyde
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          01/15/13-
          01/20/13 
          Million Dollar Quartet
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          02/08/13-
          02/10/13 
          American Idiot
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          03/01/13-
          03/03/13 
          Blue Man Group
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          04/09/13-
          04/14/13 
          Sister Act
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          04/26/13-
          04/28/13 
          Peter Pan
          Providence Performing Arts Center
          06/05/13-
          06/09/13 
          War Horse
          Providence Performing Arts Center

      • 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.

    • Current &
      Upcoming Events

      • Current Events

        There are no current events at this time.

      • Upcoming Events
        06/15/12  Crosby, Stills & Nash
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        08/15/12-
        09/02/12 
        Jersey Boys
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        10/07/12-
        10/14/12 
        Catch Me If You Can
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        11/04/12-
        11/10/12 
        Elf
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        11/16/12  Ron White
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        11/23/12-
        11/25/12 
        Fiddler On The Roof
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        12/04/12-
        12/09/12 
        Memphis
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        01/01/13-
        01/06/13 
        Jekyll & Hyde
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        01/15/13-
        01/20/13 
        Million Dollar Quartet
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        02/08/13-
        02/10/13 
        American Idiot
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        03/01/13-
        03/03/13 
        Blue Man Group
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        04/09/13-
        04/14/13 
        Sister Act
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        04/26/13-
        04/28/13 
        Peter Pan
        Providence Performing Arts Center
        06/05/13-
        06/09/13 
        War Horse
        Providence Performing Arts Center
    • Past
      Events


    • Calendar Partners

            

          

       

    • Site Credits

      © 2012 - City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism - All Rights Reserved.
      444 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903

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