J.L. "Lynn" Singleton, President of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), will be honored by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra at their Gala Celebration Dinner on Sunday, June 3 at the Renaissance Providence Hotel, adjacent to The VETS. Singleton will receive the prestigious John Hazen White, Sr. Leadership in the Arts Award. The RI Philharmonic Orchestra's Gala, "Bernstein on Broadway: Glitter and Be Gala," will also feature a 3P concert at The VETS on Sunday, June 3 with the Orchestra, guest conductor Teddy Abrams, and guest artist Morgan James.
"Lynn is a visionary who embodies the meaning of this special award," said David Beauchesne, Executive Director of the RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. "We are pleased to be saluting - among his many outstanding accomplishments - his unwavering commitment to important artistic partnerships with the Philharmonic and his invaluable efforts to revive The VETS."
"I wish to thank the RI Philharmonic Orchestra for this wonderful recognition," Singleton said. "Providence has a rich and vibrant artistic community, which I have had the pleasure of being a part of. I am looking forward to celebrating with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra this June at The VETS, where we had previously collaborated together on The VETS' inaugural Gala in 2012 in a beautiful concert with special guest, renowned soprano Renée Fleming."In 1983, Lynn Singleton arrived at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) as President and successfully reversed the theatre's financial situation from near bankruptcy. Since 1984, PPAC is considered one of the most successful, not-for-profit theatres in North America. Under his direction, attendance at PPAC has increased from 57,000 in 1983 to nearly 500,000 this year. The number of events that PPAC presents has tripled. Over the past decade, a total of 15 National Tours have launched at PPAC, and the Theatre is looking forward to two more previously announced National Tour launches in the 2018/2019 Season: Miss Saigon and Cats.
In 1988, Singleton founded Professional Facilities Management, Inc. (PFM) and serves as President and CEO. PFM is a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of PPAC and has national management/booking contracts with eleven facilities in eight states.
In May of 2012, Singleton received Trinity Repertory Company's Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts. He sits on the Government Relations Committee of the Broadway League and is a voting member for the Tony Awards. In 2004, he was the recipient of the Broadway League's Samuel J. L'Hommedieu for Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management. In 2011 and again in 2016, Singleton was named as one of the 25 "driving forces" in the Rhode Island business community over the past 25 years by Providence Business News.
Prior to the Gala Celebration Dinner, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will celebrate Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday in a special concert fundraiser. The Philharmonic will be joined on stage by guest conductor Teddy Abrams and Broadway star Morgan James for an orchestral program featuring selections from Bernstein's Broadway repertoire, including West Side Story, On the Town, Wonderful Town, Candide, and more. Funds raised from the concert and the "Bernstein on Broadway: Glitter and Be Gala" will be directed towards scholarships and community outreach programs that ensure equitable access to music education throughout the region.
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