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National Tour of I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE! Visits PPAC This February
by BWW News Desk - January 23, 2015
I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE is the brand-new hit stage show adapted from the most beloved program in television history! America's favorite foursome -- Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel - will be live on stage and in color for the first time at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) February 24 - March 1, 2015. I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE is part of the Taco/White Family Foundation Broadway Series.
FirstWorks Brings MUMMENSCHANZ to Providence Tonight
by BWW News Desk - January 22, 2015
MUMMENSCHANZ, the legendary Swiss mask troupe that revolutionized wordless theatrical entertainment, will be in Providence this month to thrill audiences of all ages with its famously uproarious performances and to kick off the FirstWorks 2015 'Artistic Icons' series. MUMMENSCHANZ will delight Rhode Island audiences with classic favorites and brilliant new works tonight, January 22, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. at Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The Vets).
2nd Story Explores Relationships and Writers in Wonderful COLLECTED STORIES
by Robert Barossi - January 19, 2015
'Write what you know' is a phrase writers hear often and have heard for probably a very long time. It's also a hotly debated piece of advice, with some saying it's essential that writers do just that and others saying that writers should ignore it and write about anything and everything. It boils down to the writer's source material, the fountain of their inspiration. Should they draw only from their own lives and experiences? Or should they draw from the lives and experiences of everyone else around them? And is there anyone or anything that is off limits? These are just a few of the central questions in 2nd Story Theatre's emotional and though-provoking production of Collected Stories.
BWW Reviews: Starry Night Theater's VINCENT Paints Captivating Portrait of the Artist
by Veronica Bruscini - January 17, 2015
VINCENT is a memorable and moving production that will, without a doubt, kindle theatergoers' interest in van Gogh and inspire a fresh, new appreciation of his artistic works.
BWW Reviews: Spectacular Magic and Hilarious Comedy Brought to PPAC by THE ILLUSIONISTS
by Robert Barossi - January 17, 2015
Heading to Providence Performing Arts Center the other night, I couldn't help but turn to my friend who accompanied me and say, "When was the last time you saw a magic show??" It seems that these days magic shows are less common than they were in our youth. Back in the day, you would often hear about and could witness live the likes of David Copperfield, Doug Henning, The Pendragons and others. Today, it seems, magic shows are relegated to kids' birthdays, college campuses and the Las Vegas Strip (wherefore art thou, Sigfried and Roy?). On the other hand, The Illusionists, a touring show featuring seven different magicians and playing this weekend at PPAC, proves that magic shows are alive and well. And still extremely entertaining, although perhaps in slightly different ways. While magic shows of old seemed to be much more about the grand illusions and massive spectacle, The Illusionists keeps things at a much smaller scale. This may be due, largely or in small part, to the fact that it's a touring show. There's only so many props and set pieces you can fit in the back of a truck.
GAMM GALA 2015: THE GAMM TURNS 30 Fundraiser Set for March 30
by BWW News Desk - January 16, 2015
The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre board of directors will host the theater's annual fundraiser on Monday, March 30 at 6 p.m. at the Center by the Blackstone, 175 Main St., Pawtucket.
THE ILLUSIONISTS: WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLE Makes Providence Debut at PPAC This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - January 16, 2015
The Illusionists: Witness The Impossible will makes its Providence debut at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) January 16 - 18, 2015. The Illusionists is the third installment in the 2014/2015 Encore Series (formerly known as the Contemporary Classics Series). The previously announced Cirque Dreams Holidaze (December 5 -7, 2014) and Blue Man Group (March 6 - 8, 2015) are sponsored by Amica Insurance.
OSTC to Stage THE MEETING, 1/28-2/15
by BWW News Desk - January 15, 2015
Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its third season in its new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is proud to present the New England premiere of Jeff Stetson's fascinating and dramatically compelling play, The Meeting from January 28 - February 15.
2014 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Winners Announced - Kevin B. McGlynn, Kerry Conte & More!
by BWW Special Coverage - January 15, 2015
Votes are cast; polls are closed; and results have been tabulated! This was our biggest year yet! After a record number of voters in more than 60 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce the 2014 Rhode Island winners! Thanks to all who voted, and huge congratulations to all the winners!
Leonard Nimoy's VINCENT Comes to Providence Tonight
by BWW News Desk - January 15, 2015
Leonard Nimoy's 'Vincent' will be presented by Starry Night Theater Company tonight, January 15-25, 2015 at AS220's 95 Empire Theater, downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
BWW Reviews: THIS Examines the Reality of Grief
by Juli Parker - January 14, 2015
The first step in any critique of a play is the play itself. And Melissa James Gibson's THIS, produced by Epic Theatre Company, is an excellent example of a well-written play. THIS runs January 9th - 25th Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm | Sunday 2pm Tickets $15 General Admission $12 Seniors & Students Theatre 82 & Cafe | 82 Rolfe Square
Chris Botti, Jon Batiste & More Among Lineup for 2015 Newport Jazz Festival
by BWW News Desk - January 13, 2015
Following last year's exciting 60th anniversary celebration, Producer George Wein today announced that the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management returns July 31 - August 2
PPAC Reveals 'RHODE ISLAND ILLUSIONIST' Contest Winner
by BWW News Desk - January 09, 2015
Matt Roberts of West Warwick, RI was declared the winner of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC)'s "Seeking a Great Rhode Island Illusionist" competition on Thursday, January 8, 2015.
The Community Players' SLY FOX Begins Today
by BWW News Desk - January 09, 2015
The Community Players, Rhode Island's oldest community theatre, proudly present Larry Gelbart's hilarious comedy Sly Fox onstage today, January 9-11 and 16-18. Taking inspiration from Ben Johnson's Volpone, the play is a riotous romp about greed, lust and the art of the con from the author of M*A*S*H, Tootsie and Oh God!
FirstWorks to Bring MUMMENSCHANZ to Providence, 1/22
by BWW News Desk - January 08, 2015
MUMMENSCHANZ, the legendary Swiss mask troupe that revolutionized wordless theatrical entertainment, will be in Providence this month to thrill audiences of all ages with its famously uproarious performances and to kick off the FirstWorks 2015 "Artistic Icons" series. MUMMENSCHANZ will delight Rhode Island audiences with classic favorites and brilliant new works on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. at Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The Vets).
The Gamm's Unique MORALITY PLAY Offers Big Ideas but Lacks Depth
by Robert Barossi - January 07, 2015
An audience member sitting by me at the Gamm's performance of Morality Play mentioned that one of the reasons she loves the company is their penchant for putting on plays that are daring, challenging and different. They do not just do the same old thing, she said, and she's absolutely correct. It is one of the characteristics of the Gamm that make it stand out among the theatrical crowd, that they take on plays that are more unique or risky than other companies might dare to produce. Morality Play is, arguably, a bit of a risk. While successful at being something unique, it is not as successful at being an entertaining, compelling or enjoyable piece of theater. Based on a novel of the same name, by Barry Unsworth, Morality Play is adapted for the stage by the Gamm's Tony Estrella. The story revolves around a roving troupe of actors, traveling the harsh English countryside in the winter of 1361. This gang of thespians are among the earliest practitioners of theater, actors who performed morality plays, one of the three major types of drama in the Middle Ages (the other two being miracle plays and mystery plays). In morality plays, a figure representing the common man, often called something like Everyman, is tempted by the personification of qualities such as Vice, Avarice or Lust, but is then saved by the appearance of, for example, Truth, Faith or Conscience. In the case of this play, our actors have just suffered the death of one of their company. Almost immediately, they meet a runaway priest who they allow to join them as a player, to take on the roles of the dead actor. Shortly thereafter, the troupe, very short on funds, arrives at a town where they will perform one of their morality plays. After that play fizzles, they decide to perform a new kind of play, one based on an actual real-life event, a true crime that has just occurred, the murder of a young boy. While doing so, they begin to solve the crime and put their own lives in jeopardy. If that sounds like an interesting idea, actors solving a crime using their powers of performance, it truly is. Unfortunately, this play is more of a collection of interesting ideas and concepts than an engaging piece of theater. Much of the play's early going feels like the Theater History 101 class that every theater major takes in college. It's as if the professor said, “Come up with a morality play and put it on for the class, just how the actors of the time would have.” And I'm willing to give Estrella and director Tyler Dobrowsky the benefit of the doubt that they have accurately recreated the feeling of the times and created an accurate and true recreation of the drama of the Middle Ages. Still, most of it is fascinating but boring and uninspired, not likely to excite many audience members, other than those who took that class in college. After getting through all of the “this is what theater was like in the 1300's” stuff (and it takes a long time), we finally reach the play's central story, the true-crime murder mystery. Unfortunately, this part of the play just demonstrates how many times we've seen all of this before. It quickly becomes an episode of C.S.I.: Broadway, with actors, instead of scientists, running around investigating and solving the crime. And in the third act, there are enough twists and turns to fill a season's worth of Law & Order episodes, with everything from corrupt heads of state to pedophiles and mysterious diseases. Yes, I realize that part of the point is that things that happened way back then are still relevant today, but in this case, they just make for a dull, predictable mystery, rather than an exciting and compelling story. One reason why it's not compelling is that we never really get to know any of these characters, not well enough to really connect with or care about them. The runaway priest, Nicholas Barber, is given a bit of backstory here and there, but not enough (he also may suffer from the fact that he is no longer the central character and narrator of the story, as he is in the novel). The “master player,” Martin Bell, also has some hints thrown his way about a possible checkered past, but not enough is provided to really make us feel for him. The other players are almost nameless and mostly interchangeable. Most of the rest of the characters, the King's Justice, for example, are just stereotypes, given no depth whatsoever, as they are only there to further the plot. Not helping is the actors milling about before the show, interacting with the audience as themselves, not in character, as far as I can tell. It adds to the feeling that we are watching Providence actors giving us a demonstration of early drama, not watching real, developed and believable people who lived at that time. Having said that, the Gamm has assembled an all-star team of some of the area's best acting talent. The dashing and charismatic Jesse Hinson makes his Gamm debut as the priest, Nicholas Barber. Hinson is masterful in the role and provides a number of the play's highlights, from his scene with the accused woman's father to another scene with the acting troupe's “whore,” who is about to get out before it's too late. Hinson makes every moment count and is impossible to not watch when he's in a scene. On the other end of the “who is the protagonist?” tug-of-war is Martin Bell, played by Tony Estrella. Bell is the leader of the troupe of actors, their motivator and moral compass, or at least he tries to be. Estrella, as usual, plays all of the nuances with skill and dexterity. At times, he is the seeker of truth and justice, and at other seems like a bit of a snake-oil salesman. It's a balancing act that he's able to pull off better than most. Our travelling troupe of performers are played by an excellent ensemble, all giving fine performances, even if they aren't ever given the chance or reason to dig very deep emotionally. Steve Kidd is a standout as Stephen, as is Elliot Peters as Springer. Jed Hancock Brainerd is also wonderful, though given a bit less to do. All three shine especially bright during the scenes when the troupe puts on their plays, from the biblical story of Adam to the true-crime tale of murder. All of the movement and physical action in those scenes is especially interesting and partly due, I assume, to Normand Beauregard, who plays one of the actors, Tobias, but is also one of the area's best fight choreographers. In what seems at times like a cast of thousands, a number of other actors appear and vanish. The wonderful Jeanine Kane, as the Innkeeper and wearing a hat she stole from Pharrell Williams, is mostly wasted. Jim O'Brien also gets little to do but does give a brilliant turn in one scene as the weaver, the father of the accused woman. And that woman herself, who is deaf and mute, is played by Clara Weishahn, providing one of the show's best performances. Her scene with Estrella, where they communicate without words, is beautiful and mesmerizing. It's unfortunate that the rest of play could not be as spellbinding or entertaining as that one scene. Instead, it relies of far too much speechifying and talking a lot about big ideas. Much of it is also heavy handed, as if they really want to make sure the audience gets the message, loud and clear. There are certainly some interesting themes and messages for the audience to ponder as they leave the theater, but the rest of the production may leave them cold and wanting more.
BWW Interviews: OUT LOUD Theatre Promises Innovative, Immersive Theatrical Experiences in Season Three
by Veronica Bruscini - January 05, 2015
Kira Hawkridge, OUT LOUD's artistic director, joined BroadwayWorld Rhode Island to discuss the season's productions and preview how these selections fit into OUT LOUD's vision for innovative and immersive theatrical experiences.
PPAC's Community Outreach Committee Sets ARTS Scholarships 2015 Program
by BWW News Desk - January 02, 2015
Jo-Ann Ragosta, Chairperson of the ARTS Scholarships 2015 program, along with the members of the Community Outreach Committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center, are pleased to announce that applications for the ARTS Scholarships 2015 program will be available starting Friday, January 2, 2015; applications will then be accepted through Friday, February 27, 2015.
The Community Players; SLY FOX Begins 1/9
by BWW News Desk - January 02, 2015
The Community Players, Rhode Island's oldest community theatre, proudly present Larry Gelbart's hilarious comedy Sly Fox onstage January 9-11 and 16-18. Taking inspiration from Ben Johnson's Volpone, the play is a riotous romp about greed, lust and the art of the con from the author of M*A*S*H, Tootsie and Oh God!
Leonard Nimoy's 'Vincent' Coming to Providence, RI January 15-25, 2015
by BWW News Desk - December 29, 2014
?Leonard Nimoy's 'Vincent' will be presented by Starry Night Theater Company January 15-25, 2015 at AS220's 95 Empire Theater, downtown Providence, Rhode Island. The passionate and turbulent life of Vincent van Gogh is dramatized in this intimate one-man play, which author Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek's Mr. Spock) adapted from hundreds of letters between Vincent and his closest ally, his brother, Theo. The play includes over 100 stunning projections of Vincent's artwork on a large screen.
Starry Night Theater Company to Present Leonard Nimoy's VINCENT
by BWW News Desk - December 29, 2014
Leonard Nimoy's 'Vincent' will be presented by Starry Night Theater Company January 15-25, 2015 at AS220's 95 Empire Theater, downtown Providence, Rhode Island. The passionate and turbulent life of Vincent van Gogh is dramatized in this intimate one-man play, which author Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek's Mr. Spock) adapted from hundreds of letters between Vincent and his closest ally, his brother, Theo. The play includes over 100 stunning projections of Vincent's artwork on a large screen.
Leonard Nimoy's VINCENT Coming to Providence's Starry Night Theater, 1/15
by BWW News Desk - December 29, 2014
Leonard Nimoy's 'Vincent' will be presented by Starry Night Theater Company January 15-25, 2015 at AS220's 95 Empire Theater, downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
Last Chance to Vote for the BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Awards
by BWW Special Coverage - December 26, 2014
It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!
Best of 2014 BWW Rhode Island – Critics' Picks: As Selected by Your Local Reviewers
by Veronica Bruscini - December 26, 2014
2014 was a powerhouse year for theater in the Ocean State. BroadwayWorld Rhode Island is pleased to feature some of the exceptional performers and artists who made this year a most memorable one on local stages.
PPAC Now Accepting Video Submissions for THE ILLUSIONISTS Contest
by BWW News Desk - December 23, 2014
The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is seeking video submissions from magic enthusiasts performing their best parlour magic tricks. This competition is inspired by THE ILLUSIONISTS - WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLE, which visits PPAC January 16 - 18, 2015. THE ILLUSIONISTS is sponsored by Navigant Credit Union and is part of the 2014/2015 Encore Series.

Videos


The Roommate
Trinity Repertory Company (1/28 - 3/19)
Kimberly Akimbo in Rhode Island Kimberly Akimbo
Providence Performing Arts Center (5/5 - 5/10)
Nomfusi, South African soul-diva: Co-presented by FirstWorks and the Uptown Theater in Rhode Island Nomfusi, South African soul-diva: Co-presented by FirstWorks and the Uptown Theater
Uptown Theater (2/7 - 2/7)
A Christmas Carol
Trinity Repertory Company (11/6 - 12/31)
Made on Hope in Rhode Island Made on Hope
Ballet RI Black Box Theater (2/7 - 2/20)
Next to Normal
Trinity Repertory Company (5/28 - 6/28)
Into the Woods in Rhode Island Into the Woods
Arts Alive! (3/13 - 3/15)
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