PPAC won’t reopen until 2021

Updated at 3:05 p.m. on May 27, 2020.

PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER announced Wednesday that it will reopen in January 2021. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER will reopen in January 2021. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

PROVIDENCE – Providence Performing Arts Center’s reopening will not be until January 2021, the organization announced on Wednesday.

The theater said that it is taking a “very cautious and measured approach” to opening its doors again to the public.

PPAC, along with all large venues across Rhode Island – Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Trinity Repertory Company and The Ryan Center, to name a few – have been closed to the public, and performances have either been canceled or postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The R.I. Convention Center has been set up as a field hospital, while The Vets is currently the site of Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s daily press conferences.

Two upcoming shows that were scheduled for this year – the Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band concert and the production of “Dear Evan Hansen” – have been postponed until June 2021 and October 2021, respectively. PPAC said tickets purchased for these shows will be honored at the new dates. The June 21 “Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience” show has been canceled.

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PPAC CEO and President J.L. “Lynn” Singleton said in an email to PPAC subscribers that the theater will do “all we can to make the coming Broadway season one you can look forward to and safely enjoy.”

PPAC spokesperson P.J. Prokop told Providence Business News Wednesday that the organization is “remaining flexible” before the scheduled reopening in case “circumstances should evolve” in a way that it will allow PPAC to take the stage. PPAC is currently evaluating “best practices” to ensure safety for audience members inside the theater, Prokop said, and the organization will announce additional information on its plans when available.

PPAC also announced show dates for its upcoming season. The shows scheduled to be held are:

  • The Prom, Jan. 23-29
  • RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour, Feb. 12-14
  • Oklahoma!, March 2-7
  • Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, March 30-April 4
  • Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, April 6-11
  • An Officer and a Gentleman, April 16-18
  • My Fair Lady, April 20-25
  • Jersey Boys, Spring 2021 TBA
  • Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show, Spring 2021 TBA
  • Mean Girls, June 15-20

Those with questions about tickets may either call PPAC’s box office at (401) 421-2787 or reach them by email.

James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.

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