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CALENDAR

MAY

1 Final JERSEY BOYS performances at 1P & 6:30P

2 Subscriber renewal deadline; call (401) 421-ARTS (2787) to renew. New subscriptions are accepted at any time!

6 Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy: “We’ve Been Thinking Tour” at 7P & 9:30P

8 Generation Axe: A Night of Guitars at 7P

9 ARTS Scholarships Awards Ceremony at 4:30P

12 Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! at 7:30P

14 At the VETS: Richard Nader’s Doo Wop and Rock & Roll All Stars at 8P

21 Joe Bonamassa at 8P

22 Carol Burnett: An Evening of Laughter and Reflection Where the Audience Asks the Questions at 4P Limited Seating Available

31 – June 5 Bullets Over Broadway

12 Watch the 2016 Tony Awards® at 8P on 14 – 19 If/Then

20 Summer Box Office Hours Begin (M - Th, 10A – 3P and two hours prior to curtain times)

29 Celtic Woman: Destiny World Tour at 7P

12 At The VETS: Lindsey Stirling at 7:30P

Q-SHEET

BOX OFFICE / ONLINE

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. Summer Box Office Hours (6/20/16 - 9/5/16)

are M-Th, 10A-3P 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

summer hours M-F, 9A-5P

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: Heightened security measures have been implemented at PPAC including a Providence Police detail at all events. Please be advised that all purses/bags may be inspected at the discretion of PPAC Security and/or the Officer on site.

call the Box Office for more details.

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 for purchase in any denomination at the PPAC Box Office and online. Gift Card sleeves include special pre- and post-show offerings from Gracie’s Restaurant, located at 194 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903.

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.

Broadway Broadway how greatComeandsee can be!

The deadline for subscription renewals is Monday, May 2. Call the Box Office at (401) 421-ARTS (2787) TODAY! Become a NEW subscriber to the 2016/2017 Season at any time. Call Sharon Corcoran at (401) 574-3136 or the Box Office.

THE TACO / WHITE FAMILY FOUNDATION BROADWAY SERIES

Wicked Sept. 21 – Oct. 8, 2016

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King And I Nov. 1 – 6, 2016 National Tour Launches at PPAC!

A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder Dec. 6 – 11, 2016

Matilda The Musical Jan. 3 – 8, 2017

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time Feb. 7 – 12, 2017

Disney’s The Lion King Feb. 28 – Mar. 19, 2017

Chicago May 2 – 7, 2017

ENCORE SERIES

Once Dec. 2 – 4, 2016 / 42nd Street Mar. 24 – 26, 2017

Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour June 2 – 4, 2017

*FREE ticket for selected locations and performances; other restrictions may apply.

FEATURING THE BROADWAY SERIES SPONSORED BY:

MAY BONUS OFFER! Now through Tuesday, May 31 only, order a NEW Taco/White Family Foundation Broadway Series subscription and receive a FREE Bullets Over Broadway* ticket...call for details! Visit www.ppacri.org to see our NEW Season Brochure!

SEASON MEDIA SPONSOR: ENCORE SERIES MEDIA SPONSOR:

BOARD of DIRECTORS

William A. White, William K. Wray Director Representatives: Theresa

Joseph W. Walsh, Esq., Chairman; Mark T. Ryan, Esq., First Vice Chairman; Thomas A. Tanury, Second Richard L. Bready, Gabriella DiGiacinto Caprio, Darren Corrente, Esq., Jason M. DaPonte, Guillame de Ramel, Richard The Hon. James R. Langevin, Cynthia Laughlin, Barbara S. Lavine, Robert Lupone, Paul A. MacDonald, Robin L. Main, Jo-Ann Ragosta, The Hon. Gina Raimondo, The Hon. Jack Reed, Thomas J. Rossi, David Salit, Stephen Shechtman,

M. Agonia, Stephen Neuman, Seth Klaiman, Raymond

Kelli O'Hara & Hoon Lee in THE KING AND I.

Photo: Paul Kolnik.

2016 PPAC ANNUAL GALA

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH KRISTIN CHENOWETH FEATURING THE RHODE ISLAND PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA KEVIN STITES, CONDUCTOR

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Channing Gray from The Providence Journal proclaimed in a rave review that Kristin Chenoweth was "the perfect act for the Providence Performing Arts Center's annual Gala." It was certainly an elegant, classy, and fun evening. Please enjoy selected photographs from the 2016 Gala, taken by Corey Martineau. For a full gallery, please visit http://ow.ly/4mTXEN

Gala guests Dr. Hakan Durudogan and wife WPRI 12 News Director Karen Rezendes enjoy pre-Gala festivities

Kristin Chenoweth performing on the PPAC stage with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra

Chenoweth with PPAC President J.L. "Lynn" Singleton

L to R: Marketing Director P.J. Prokop, Development Coordinator Claudia Zompa, Chenoweth, and General Manager Alan Chille

Front: Mary Kate Rizzuto (Biggest fan EVER of Ms. Chenoweth!!!), L to R: Kim McDermott, Chenoweth, Beth O'Connell, and Mary Kate's mother Tracey Rizzuto

Chenoweth with Office Manager Rosemary Sienko-Koehler

Events Manager Betsy Menders, Director of Finance & Programming Norbert H. Mongeon, Jr., and Box Office Manager Stephanie Santos

PPAC Board of Directors Chairman Joseph W. Walsh, Esq. and President & CEO of the RI Foundation Neil Steinberg

Vice President of Marketing at Navigant Credit Union Tim Draper (right) and his wife, Deborah (left)

Mayor

PPAC thanks our Title Sponsors: Marcum LLP, The Providence Journal, and the Taco/White Family Foundation; Our Premiere Sponsors: Coastway Community Bank, IGT, The Rhode Island Lottery, WLNE ABC 6, WJAR NBC 10, and CBS WPRI 12 / FOX Providence.

We also thank our Silver, Bronze, and Restaurant Sponsors for their support of the Gala. For a complete listing of our Sponsors, please visit www.ppacri.org/support/ppac-gala

Vice Chairman; Ellen Barnes, Secretary; J. Joseph Kruse, Treasurer

E. DiChiaro, The Hon. Jorge Elorza, Thomas P. Fay, Gary E. Furtado, Ari Gabinet, Jay Howell, Lowell W. Kinch, Main, Esq., Lori Merolla, Terrence P. Moran, George H. Nee, The Hon. Joseph R. Paolino, Jr., Gary M. Penfield, Lawrence E. Purtill, Shechtman, Esq., Robert F. Stoico, Donald R. Sweitzer, Gregory Troy, Susan Weiner, Stanley Weiss, John Hazen White, Jr., Raymond D. Simone, Benjamin C. White

Providence

Jorge O. Elorza

JEFF FOXWORTHY & LARRY THE CABLE GUY: WE’VE BEEN THINKING TOUR

Friday, May 6 at 7P and 9:30P

Great seats available for the 9:30P show! Call the Box Office at (401) 421-ARTS (2787) for ticket prices.

Superstar comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy will reunite on the RFD-TV Presents: "We've Been Thinking Tour" to bring a night of comedy to PPAC. The comedians will perform individual sets featuring all new material before they come together on stage for a hilarious encore that you won’t want to miss!

GENERATION

Sunday,

Tickets: $69.50

The term featuring term a whole of Guitars,” Bettencourt, The Generation five guitar collaborations one cohesive Marinovich perform songs songs (and

Sunday, May 22 at 4P

Call the Box Office at (401) 421-ARTS (2787), as tickets are extremely limited. Tickets are $125 - $49.

Ms. Burnett's visit to PPAC will be an evening of fun, nostalgia, and true reflections as she discusses memorable moments from her career and her classic TV show.

COMING IN SEPTEMBER! "WEIRD AL" THE MANDATORY WORLD TOUR for one night only is known for his parodies of hit names in music

GENERATION AXE: A NIGHT OF GUITARS

Sunday, May 8 at 7P

$69.50 - $39.50

“supergroup” is frequently used these days; however, a new tour some of the greatest guitarists of all time is about to truly give the whole new meaning. WHJY Welcomes “Generation Axe – A Night Guitars,” featuring Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt, and Tosin Abasi.

Generation Axe fan experience will go way beyond simply gathering guitar greats on one stage to jam. The concert will include a variety of collaborations by the five players, including everyone performing together as cohesive band with a rhythm section featuring Pete Griffin on bass and Nick Marinovich on keyboards. Vai, Wylde, Malmsteen, Bettencourt, and Abasi will songs from their various catalogs and join forces on some well-known (and a few unexpected gems will probably be unearthed as well!).

SEPTEMBER! AL" YANKOVIC: MANDATORY TOUR

Wednesday, September 14 at 7:30P

Tickets: $62 - $32

"Weird Al" brings his high-energy comedy rock show to PPAC only this September! He his hilariously irreverent songs by the biggest music industry.

JUST ANNOUNCED - AT THE VETS LINDSEY STIRLING

Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30P

Tickets: $59.50$39.50

Lindsey Stirling is a violinist and dancer, who has become known for incorporating both of these art forms into her performances. Ms. Stirling was named one of the "30 Under 30 in Music" by Forbes Magazine in 2015 and was a quarter-finalist on America's Got Talent in 2010.

to change without notice. Please visit www.ppacri.org for current prices.

THE BEST SHOW IN TOWN!

May 31 – June 5

Tickets: $78 - $51

A playwright who needs someone to back his next show. A mobster who needs some way to please his showgirl girlfriend. This could be the start of a beautiful friendship - or a brand new musical comedy!

Written by Woody Allen and based on the screenplay by Allen and Douglas McGrath (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) for the 1994 film, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY is bringing musical comedy back with a bang!

BULLETS OVER BROADWAY tells the story of an aspiring young playwright newly arrived on Broadway in 1920s New York who is forced to cast a mobster's talentless girlfriend in his latest drama in order to get it produced. What follows is the show that has been lauded by NPR as “The best show in town!” Full of big laughs, colorful characters, and the songs that made the ‘20s roar, Providence will be swept away by this brilliant and humorous production that Time Magazine calls, “Musical Theatre Gold!”

Bradley Allan Zarr (Warner Purcell) and Jemma Jane (Olive Neal) in the North American tour of the hit musical comedy BULLETS OVER BROADWAY. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

Original Broadway Cast members Jackie Burns and Anthony Rapp star in the National Tour of IF/THEN.

June 14 – 19 / Tickets: $83 - $46

Jackie Burns plays Elizabeth, a woman whose smallest decisions or most random occurrences will impact her world in ways she never dreamt possible. Burns recently played the role of Elizabeth in IF/THEN on Broadway, and has also played the iconic role of Elphaba in Wicked, both on Broadway and in the First National Tour.

Anthony Rapp plays Lucas, an old college friend of Elizabeth, who reconnects with her when she moves back to New York City. Rapp is best known for originating the role of Mark Cohen in Jonathan Larson's Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Rent.

A thoroughly fascinating, intellectually, and musically rich new musical.

- Chicago Tribune

Composer Tom Kitt, book writer/lyricist Brian Yorkey, and director Michael Greif, the creative team behind the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal, reunite in the contemporary, entirely original musical, IF/THEN

IF/THEN charts the turning points in the life of thirty-eight year-old urban planner Elizabeth. After a recent divorce, Elizabeth moves back to New York to restart her life in the city of infinite possibilities, however, her life splits into two parallel paths when her carefully designed plans collide with the whims of fate.

IF/THEN is a relatable, emotionally-stirring musical that explores those pivotal, yet seemingly small, moments that impact the trajectory and direction of our lives. The Washington Post says IF/THEN is “a smart, deeply touching, and big-hearted new musical. Tom Kitt and Brian Yokey’s score is invested with melodict urgency, bringing you to tears or breathlessness.” The Chicago Tribune calls it, “a thoroughly fascinating, intellectually, and musically rich new musical.”

Tamyra Gray, Jackie Burns & Anthony Rapp.

Photo by Joan Marcus.

PPAC NEWS

ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS

2016 WINNERS

Jo-Ann Ragosta, Chairperson of the ARTS Scholarships 2016 program, along with the members of the Community Outreach Committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center, are pleased to announce the winners of the ARTS Scholarships 2016 program, sponsored by the Textron Charitable Trust and PPAC Annual Fund Donors. This year’s program will award scholarships in a ceremony on May 9 to 36 talented Rhode Island students, ages 11 – 14, each of whom will receive a scholarship of up to $500 to attend local summer arts education programs that will expand their experiences in a chosen area of study. The 2016 ARTS Scholarships Awards Ceremony will be emceed by PPAC Board of Directors Chairman Joseph W. Walsh, Esq.

T’aliyah Arthur

Gov. Christopher DelSesto

Middle School, Providence

Xavier Barros

Joseph Jenks Junior High

Pawtucket

Aemilia Blais

St. Philip School, Greenville

Keegan

Bonds-Harmon

Nathan Bishop Middle School, Providence

Phoebe Brown

Nathan Bishop Middle School, Providence

Cristina Burns

Frank E. Thompson Middle School, Newport

Ellie Carr

Wilbur and McMahon Schools, Little Compton

Autumn Colizza

Western Hills Middle School, Cranston

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WALK-ON ROLE WINNERS FOR RAGTIME!

Three young actors were cast as "Young Coalhouse" when Ragtime visited PPAC in early April. The three walk-on role winners were Tray Abercrombie, Gabriel Johnson, and Aiden Graham

Tray is five years old and lives in Providence. He loves wrestling and video games, and is excited to begin school this September.

Gabriel is five years old and is in kindergarten at The Wheeler School. Gabriel plays classical piano, soccer, swims, and loves to play the drums. Gabriel participates in concerts and recitals at the Philharmonic Music School in East Providence.

Aiden is six years old and also in kindergarten at The Wheeler School. Aiden loves reading and solving math problems, in addition to participating in the Chess Club and the Chinese Club.

Congratulations to our young stars-in-the-making!