February 2017 Showtimes by Providence Performing Arts Center

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 28 –MARCH 19

CALENDAR

3 Lewis Black – The Rant, White & Blue Tour at 8P

3 At The VETS: FirstWorks Presents Paul Taylor Dance Company at 8P

3 Tickets for Diana Krall’s concert on Sunday, June 18 go on sale!

4 Shen Yun at 7:30P

7 – 12 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

8 After THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, Pop On Over© to PPAC at the Malted Barley. Turn to "PPAC News" to learn more!

10 – 12 At The VETS: Festival Ballet Providence Presents Romeo & Juliet 14 Happy Valentine’s Day! You’ll be falling in love with our New Season – stay tuned for our 2017/ 2018 Season Announcement!

24 At The VETS: FirstWorks Presents Rennie Harris PUREMOVEMENT at 8P

25 At The VETS: The Naked Magicians at 8P 26 At The VETS: Aaron Tveit at 7P 28 – March 19 Disney’s The Lion King

ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 AT 3P!

Applications for ARTS Scholarships 2017, sponsored by The Textron Charitable Trust and PPAC Annual Fund donors, are now available online at www.ppacri.org and at PPAC's Administrative Office, located at 220 Weybosset Street on the 2nd Floor. Thirty scholarships valued up to $500 each will be awarded to talented Rhode Island artists between the ages of 11 and 14 (must meet age range by June 1). Please send completed applications to Cynthia Goldsmith at PPAC, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI 02903 no later than 3P on Wednesday, March 1. Visit www.ppacri.org for more information and to apply.

Q-SHEET

BOX OFFICE / ONLINE

"The Curious Delivery by the Dog in the Day-Time:" Rylee the Dog helped his dad, Richard Koehler, deliver the latest show artwork for THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME to the PPAC office.

phone (401) 421-ARTS (2787) email patron_feedback@ppacri.org fax (401) 351-7827 Regular Box Office Hours are M-F, 10A-5P; Sat., 10A-2P and two hours prior to all curtain times. Please call to check on-site hours for The VETS Box Office. Visit ppacri.org or thevetsri.com for additional information and to order tickets.

ADMINISTRATION

phone (401) 421-2997

email info@ppacri.org fax (401) 421-5767

hours M-F, 9A-6P

DIRECT RESPONSE

phone (401) 574-3136

email direct@ppacri.org fax (401) 421-5767

hours M-F, 9A-5P

DIRECTIONS TO PPAC

From points north: take 95S to the Atwells Ave exit 21. Go straight through 4 traffic lights and turn left at the 5th traffic light onto Broad St, which becomes Weybosset St. From points south (take 95N to Point St exit 20) and from points east (take 195W to Point St exit 1A): proceed straight at the traffic light at end of exit onto E Franklin St. At Broad St, turn right at the light (Broad St becomes Weybosset St). PPAC will be on the right side of Weybosset. From Worcester/Western Massachusetts: Take 90E to exit 10A (Worcester/Providence, Route 146/20), which will lead to Route 146S (Providence). Take Route 146S and merge onto 95S in Providence. Then, follow directions for “from points north.”

RECOMMENDED

ATTIRE

smart casual clothing

BE SAFE; BE SMART! PPAC is your only official ticketing source for tickets to a PPAC/The VETS performance. For more information, please visit www.ppacri.org or www.thevetsri.com

PATRON SAFETY NOTICE: Guests entering PPAC are subject to search at the discretion of management, which may include pat down or scan by metal detector wands. NO laptops, briefcases, or suitcases are allowed in the venue. PPAC does not provide storage or holding for confiscated or prohibited items. Outside food and drink are also NOT allowed in the building. Please note that a Providence Police detail is on site at all PPAC events. PPAC management reserves the right to change this policy or implement any security measures required for any performance without advance notice.

GROUP SALES

phone (401) 574-3162

email phiatt@ppacri.org fax (401) 421-5767

hours M-F, 9A-5P

LATE ARRIVALS POLICY

Please be sure to leave yourself adequate time for travel and parking so you may be in your seats before curtain time. Touring shows mandate that we hold latecomers in the lobby until an appropriate moment in the performance before seating them (sometimes as long as 20 minutes) in order to minimize disruption to other audience members.

GIFT CARDS are available in any denomination when purchasing by phone at (401) 421-ARTS (2787) or at the Box Office window. Only specific denominations are offered online at www.ppacri.org (i.e. $25, $50, $75, etc.).

Gift card sleeve includes special complimentary offerings from Gracie's Restaurant and Ellie's Bakery, both located in downtown Providence.

Accessibility Services are available through the House Manager’s desk in the Grand Lobby and through the Box Office. Services include assistive listening devices and wheelchair accessible seating. Sign Interpretation, open caption, and/or visual description services are available upon request for Saturday 2P performances of the Broadway and Encore Series as well as other presentations. For details, please call the Box Office at (401) 421-ARTS (2787).

The Providence Performing Arts Center is a smoke-free facility. Patrons who wish to smoke may do so outside under the marquee at scheduled intermissions. The use of E-Cigarettes is also not permitted inside the theatre.

Editor: P.J. Prokop Content Manager: Caitlyn DiPompo // Design: Lindsay Letourneau, Falcone Communications & Design // Printer: The Allied Group

Photo: Leah Fellman

PPAC ANNUAL GALA: SPEND THE NIGHT WITH BILLY CRYSTAL

Thursday, March 23 at 7:30P

Purchase Gala Tickets: dsantos@ppacri.org ▪ Non-Gala Tickets: www.ppacri.org

FOUR MONTHS OUT

MARCH

Disney’s The Lion King February 28 – March 19

ARTS Scholarships Applications Deadline Wednesday, March 1 at 3P

APRIL

Celtic Woman: Voices of Angels Thursday, April 6 at 7P

Rent – 20th Anniversary Tour April 7 – 9

MAY

Chicago May 2 – 7

Matilda the Musical May 17 – 21

PPAC Gala: Spend the Night with Billy Crystal Thursday, March 23 at 7:30P

42nd Street March 24 – 26

See above for ticket info!

Sesame Street Live “Make a New Friend” April 21 – 23

AC2: An Intimate Evening with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen Saturday, April 29 at 8P

JUNE

Riverdance – the 20th Anniversary World Tour June 2 – 4

Diana Krall Sunday, June 18 at 7P

BOARD of DIRECTORS

Joseph W. Walsh, Esq. – Chairman; Mark T. Ryan, Esq. – First Vice Chairman; Thomas A. Tanury Richard L. Bready, Gabriella DiGiacino Caprio, Darren Corrente, Esq., Jason M. DaPonte, Guillaume de Janet Hasson, Jay Howell, The Honorable James R. Langevin (Ex-Officio), Cynthia Laughlin, Barbara S. The Honorable Joseph R. Paolino, Jr., Marc Paulhus, Gary M. Penfield, Lawrence E. Purtill, Jo-Ann Ragosta, Stephen Shechtman, Esq., Robert Stoico, Donald R. Sweitzer, Susan Weiner, John Hazen White, Jr., William

SHOWS AT PPAC IN FEBRUARY

LEWIS BLACK: THE RANT, WHITE & BLUE TOUR

Friday, February 3 at 8P

Tickets: $59.50 - $29.50

LEWIS BLACK is one of the most prolific and popular performers working today. He executes a brilliant trifecta as stand-up comedian, actor, and author. Receiving critical acclaim, he performs over 200 nights a year to sold-out audiences throughout Europe, New Zealand, Canada, and The United States. He is one of few performers to sell out multiple, renowned theatres, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City Center, and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. In August 2007, he was the first stand-up comedian to ever perform in concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Lewis’ live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for his audience. Lewis yells so they don’t have to. A passionate performer who is more of an angry optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon, Lewis is the rare comic who can cause an audience to laugh themselves silly while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world.

SHEN YUN

Saturday, February 4 at 7:30P

Tickets: $120 - $70

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with an unforgettable event. Inspired by the rich spirit of ancient culture, Shen Yun Performing Arts brings to life classical Chinese dance and music in a gloriously colorful and exhilarating show. For one show only, its masterful choreography and graceful routines will light up the stage, with gorgeously costumed dancers moving in stunning synchronized patterns. State-of-the-art backdrops conjure up celestial palaces and blossoming landscapes, while a live orchestra combines the best of Chinese and Western composition. The breathtaking beauty of SHEN YUN is not to be missed.

All ticket prices include a $3 per ticket restoration charge and are subject to change without notice. Please visit www.ppacri.org for current prices.

Tanury – Second Vice Chairman; Ellen Barnes – Secretary; Lowell W. Kinch – Treasurer de Ramel, Richard E. DiChiaro, The Honorable Jorge O. Elorza (Ex-Officio), Thomas P. Fay, Gary E. Furtado, Ari Gabinet, S. Lavine, E. Robert Lupone, Paul A. MacDonald, Robin L. Main, Esq., Lori Merolla, Terrence P. Moran, George H. Nee, Ragosta, The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo (Ex-Officio), The Honorable Jack Reed (Ex-Officio), Thomas J. Rossi, David Salit, William A. White, William K. Wray Director Representatives: Theresa M. Agonia, Seth Klaiman, Raymond D. Simone

February 7 – 12

Tickets: $88 - $36

Based on the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME tells the story of fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone, who has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally brilliant in math and science but illequipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads him to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever. The audience experiences Christopher’s journey – first, to solve the mystery of “the curious incident of the dog in the night-time” and second, to solve the mystery of himself – from his point of view. We go inside the mind of Christopher in a visceral way through the production’s cast, but also through the production’s Olivier and Tony Award-winning scenic and lighting design, and video projections.

One of the most immersive works to wallop Broadway. prepared to have emotional and buttons pushed, a few you may known existed. by Marianne Elliott, production that way you see and - Ben Brantley, The New

Photo credits for this page (top to bottom): Adam Langdon as Christopher Boone and the touring production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Photo Joan Marcus; Adam Langdon as Christopher Boone and Maria Elena Ramirez as Siobhan in the touring production of The Curious Incident of the Dog

Night-Time.

/CuriousBroadway

@CuriousBroadway

#CuriousIncident

#CuriousPPAC

In an interview with NPR, director Marianne Elliot said, “We designed the set to be like his brain…he loves maths [sic] and he loves science and he loves graph paper. So the set is really four walls of graph paper, in its most basic form. And actually, beyond that, it’s also a bit of a magic box; it’s a magic brain. It has wonderful things in that brain that are surprising.”

most fully works ever Broadway. Be have all your and sensory pushed, including may have not existed. As directed Elliott, it’s a that retunes the and hear.

New York Times

Scenic and costume designer Bunny Christie explained to Broadway.com that she wanted to create “a space where Christopher felt at home so that it would have lots of technology and we would celebrate that. It would have lots of straight lines and clean space where... at times, it would be fizzing with energy in the same way that his brain is fizzing with energy, and that would be a fun place to be. At other times, as his energy and anxiety tips out of control, the neurons of his brain are going crazy and fizzing. The energy of that is evident of the set as well.”

by Joan Marcus; Gene Gillette as Ed and Adam Langdon as Christopher Boone in the touring production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Photo by

Photo by Joan Marcus; Adam Langdon as Christopher Boone and the touring production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Photo: Joan Marcus.

February 28 – March 19

Tickets are extremely limited for Disney’s

Tickets start at $30; please call the

Casting has been announced for the Providence engagement of Disney’s THE LION KING; the cast features Mark Campbell as “Scar,” Gerald Ramsey as “Mufasa,” Buyi Zama as “Rafiki,” Nick Cordileone as “Timon,” Drew Hirshfield as “Zazu,” Ben Lipitz as “Pumbaa,” Dashaun Young as “Simba,” Nia Holloway as “Nala,” Keith Bennett as “Banzai,” Tiffany Denise Hobbs as “Shenzi,” and Robbie Swift as “Ed.”

The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between Devin Graves and Jordan Williams and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between Grier Burke and Meilani Cisneros.

As it approaches its 20th Anniversary, THE LION KING continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 24 global productions have An entrancing beauty. No show ever achieved and dignified of form and line. has proven, to impossible to - Chris Jones, Chicago

Photo credits for this page (top to bottom): Gareth Saxe as “Scar” and Gerald Ramsey as “Mufasa” face off in

Tour. ©Disney. in THE LION KING North American Tour. ©Disney. Photo by Matthew Murphy; Nia Holloway as “Nala” in THE LION KING North American Tour. ©Disney. Photo

/TheLionKingUSA

@thelionking

#TheLionKing

KING. Be sure to get your tickets before it leaps away! 421-ARTS (2787), or visit www.ppacri.org for current prices.

entrancing thing of show has achieved such fluid integration line. It to date, replicate.

Chicago Tribune

been seen by more than 85 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London’s West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Mexico City; Shanghai, Scheveningen and on tour across North America, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played over 100 cities in 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show, or other entertainment title in box office history.

Photo by Matthew Murphy; Dashaun Young as “Simba” in THE LION KING North American Tour. ©Disney. Photo by Joan Marcus; Gerald Ramsey as “Mufasa” Credit: Joan Marcus.

All ticket prices include a $3 per ticket facility fee and are subject to change Enhance your experience at The VETS with VIP Encore Lounge access

THE NAKED MAGICIANS

Saturday, February 25 at 8P

Tickets: $46; $66 VIP Meet & Greet Tickets Available

Please Note: This show is 18+ ONLY; includes coarse language, sexual references, and nudity.

Following sold out shows and rave reviews around the world, the world’s naughtiest and funniest magic show THE NAKED MAGICIANS returns to Providence.

Direct from Australia, the show features magic, mirth, and more than a touch of mayhem as these two hot and hilarious magicians say “abracadabra!” and take magic to a whole new level. Left without sleeves or pockets, their saucy magic is baffling and entertaining, bringing a new meaning to the term “now you see it.”

PPAC NEWS

Theatre lovers of all ages are invited to join Pop On Over© to PPAC, a social group who meets before or after performances for drinks and to talk more about our Broadway shows!

on over to

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Pop On Over© member Robin Nyzio from Pawtucket, RI said, “I like getting a behind-the-scenes look at the Broadway shows here at the Providence Performing Arts Center. I’ve gotten to meet cast members, watch rehearsals, and get a little taste of what goes into the Broadway shows… that come to PPAC.” USHER Virginia honored Ginnie as ushers proficient also America on volunteering helping Congratulations,

Join us for a post-show Pop On Over© discussion about THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME at the Malted Barley on Wednesday, February 8. The Malted Barley is located at 334 Westminster Street in downtown Providence.

RSVP: Caitlyn DiPompo at cdipompo@ppacri.org or (401) 574-3112 by Monday, February 6; you will also receive a complimentary copy of the novel, on which the show is based.

Photo courtesy of Robert G. Flanders, Jr.

change without notice. Please visit www.thevetsri.com for current prices. access – call the Box Office at (401) 421-ARTS (2787) or purchase online.

AARON TVEIT

Sunday, February 26 at 7P

Tickets: $39; VIP Packages available.

Recently starring on television in the CBS comic-thriller, BrainDead, as well as the sensational special, Grease: Live, AARON TVEIT is best known for his work in USA's Graceland and on Broadway in Catch Me if You Can, Wicked, Hairspray, and Next to Normal Aaron originated the roles of Gabe in Next to Normal and Frank Abagnale, Jr. in Catch Me If You Can, and has received numerous honors including the Helen Hayes Award.

PFM BOARD MEMBER RECOGNIZED AS “LAWYER OF THE YEAR”

Professional Facilities Management (PFM) Board Member, Robert G. Flanders, Jr., was recently recognized by RI Lawyers Weekly as “Lawyer of the Year 2016” for winning a case in which the Rhode Island Supreme Court spelled out the limits of “expert discovery” that will affect a wide range of civil litigants. Congratulations, Judge Flanders!

USHER OF THE MONTH

Virginia “Ginnie” Fortier has been honored as the Usher of the Month Ginnie is celebrating her 25th Season as an Usher. While she normally ushers in the balcony, she is equally proficient at working downstairs and also volunteers at all of our Bank of America Arts Showcase performances on Thursday mornings. Ginnie loves volunteering at PPAC: she greets each guest with a warm smile and a helping hand. She is a lovely lady and most deserving of this recognition! Congratulations, Ginnie!