PPAC Announces 2008-2009 Season

On April 1^st, J.L. "Lynn" Singleton, President of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), announced PPAC's 31st Broadway season, featuring the 2008/2009 Citizens Bank Broadway Series and the 2008/2009 Contemporary Classics Series. The Citizens Bank Broadway Series includes the North American touring debuts of both Legally Blonde The Musical and Grease; followed by engagements of Fiddler on the Roof starring Chaim Topol, A Chorus Line, Spring Awakening, and The Color Purple.

The Contemporary Classics Series includes Happy Days, The Wizard of Oz, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This season will also mark the 80th Anniversary of the Loews Theatre Building, which first opened in 1928 as the Loews State Theatre Movie Palace but has been home to PPAC for more than three decades.

"It's fitting, in the 80th Anniversary of the Loews Theatre Building, that PPAC is the jumping off point for two major North American touring Broadway productions: Legally Blonde The Musical and Grease. Providence was selected from a number of cities interested in opening both of these prestigious tours. It adds another layer of excitement to what is already an exciting season," remarked Mr. Singleton in a press release. "We are greatly looking forward to this season's exciting mix of new and classic Broadway theatricals, and we would like to extend our thanks to our flagship sponsor, Citizens Bank, for their support.", Singleton continued.

Legally Blonde will kick off the Citizens Bank Broadway Series from September 23 - 28, 2008. This show will open its national tour at PPAC.

Grease will play PPAC December 2 - 7, 2008. This new production direct from Broadway will also open its national tour at the theater.

Fiddler on the Roof, will take the PPAC stage February 10 - 15, 2009. Chaim Topal, who played Tevye in the film version, will reprise the role.

A Chorus Line, the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, comes to PPAC March 31 - April 5, 2009.

Spring Awakening makes its Ocean State debut April 21 - 26, 2009.

The Color Purple concludes the Citizens Bank Broadway Series May 27 - 31, 2009.

Happy Days - A New Musical kicks off the Contemporary Classics Series January 23 - 25, 2009. "Based on the hit Paramount Pictures' television series, Happy Days reintroduces one of America's best loved families, the Cunninghams, and the days of 1959 Milwaukee complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops, and jukebox sock-hoppin'. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one hang-out, Arnold's, is in danger of demolition, so the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and TV-worthy wrestling match." explains press notes

THE Wizard of Oz appears February 27 - March 1, 2009.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang takes the PPAC stage March 19 - 22.

For more information, contact PPAC's Box Office at (401) 421-ARTS (2787)or visit ppacri.org.