Providence Performing Arts Center Information
Designed by world-class architects George and C.W. Rapp, the Providence Performing Arts Center was opened as Loew’s Movie Palace on October 6, 1928, costing $2.5million to build. It’s opening night, featuring a performance by Joe Stoves on the $90,000 Robert Morton organ, accompanying the film “Excess Baggage,” was attended by over 14,000 people. The venue’s popularity steadily rose, only to decline with the rise of television, and to suffer from hurricane damage mid-century, and to almost face demolition in the 70s.
However, in 1995 the venue was restored and the stage house expanded, and over the following years several more changes occurred, including the installation of a high-quality sound system in 1996 followed by the restoration of the Grand Lobby and Arcade. Today, the Providence Performing Arts Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and plays a critical role in the city’s cultural renaissance.
The Providence Performing Arts Center is a genuine piece of Rhode Island’s cultural history. Sitting on Weybosset Street in Downtown Providence, it first opened in 1928 as a movie palace for silent films and vaudeville acts. Over time, it evolved into one of New England’s premier live performance venues and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, PPAC does more than just host Broadway blockbusters and major touring acts. Its educational programs and community outreach initiatives make the arts accessible to local students and audiences alike.
Whether you’re here for a hit musical, a comedy show, or a special one-night event, PPAC delivers an unforgettable theater experience in the Ocean State.
Location
Address: 220 Weybosset St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
The Providence Performing Arts Center sits in the heart of Downtown Providence, right in the city’s Arts and Entertainment District.
PPAC is just a 10-minute walk from Kennedy Plaza, the city’s main transportation hub. This makes it accessible to visitors from across Rhode Island, New England, and beyond.
The history of Providence Performing Arts Center
The Providence Performing Arts Center has been a Weybosset Street landmark since 1928. Originally Loew’s State Movie Palace, it opened as one of New England’s most extravagant theaters. American architecture firm Rapp & Rapp designed the venue with Art Deco flourishes, a gilded proscenium and grand chandeliers.
For decades, it drew crowds for silent films, vaudeville acts, and Hollywood blockbusters. The arrival of television in the 1950s changed everything. Attendance dropped, and the theater struggled. Hurricanes in 1938 and 1954 caused damage and forced the removal of the original Morton pipe organ. By the 1970s, the theater had shifted to rock concerts under the name Palace Concert Theatre, but the building continued to decline.
In 1976, plans to demolish it surfaced. Local leaders, including Governor J. Joseph Garrahy and Mayor Vincent Cianci, stepped in and spearheaded efforts to restore the space. Much to the delight of locals, the theater was saved and reimagined as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1982.
PPAC is now one of the top touring Broadway venues in the country. Major restorations have preserved its original charm while adding modern technology. Its Mighty Wurlitzer organ, LED marquee, and state-of-the-art stagehouse keep it ready for the next era of performances.
A 21st century revamp
PPAC is a stunning example of early 20th-century theater opulence. But even the most stunning buildings need upkeep.
In 2021, PPAC wrapped up a massive restoration of its terra cotta façade – a project six years in the making. Over 2,300 stones were restored, with some handcrafted from scratch by specialists in California. The result? A refreshed exterior, now lit up with architectural lighting – finally giving the façade the attention it deserves.
This $2 million project was funded by grants, private donations, and the $3 restoration fee tacked onto every ticket – proof that every show helps keep this historic venue shining. With careful preservation and modern upgrades, PPAC remains a grand, living piece of Providence’s history.
Past productions at Providence Performing Arts Center
From Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera to Hamilton and The Lion King, PPAC has hosted some of Broadway’s biggest touring productions. Other blockbuster hits include Miss Saigon, Wicked!, and Some Like It Hot.
More than 20 productions have kicked off their national runs here, including Tony Award-winning musical Once, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, and Shucked – another Tony Award winner.
Beyond musicals, PPAC has welcomed comedy legends like Sam Morril and Dame Edna, musical icons like Van Morrison, and unique productions like The Vanishing Elephant puppetry show.
Want to attend a show? Check the performing arts center homepage for featured events and promotions. From Tony-award-winning shows to laugh-until-you-cry comedy acts, there’s always something on at PPAC!
Box office information
The window opens two hours prior to shows.
Regular Box Office window hours
Monday to Friday: 10am to 5pm and Saturday: 10am to 2pm
Summer hours
Monday to Thursday: 10am to 3pm
Box office window phone: 401.421.ARTS (2787)
Box office window phone hours: See above.
For parking information please see the parking page.
For ticket and ticket marketplace information please see the Providence Performing Arts Center tickets page.
To see the seating chart and find out about accessible seating, please see the Seating Chart page.