The PPAC is a staple in Providence theater and never disappoints. The establishment has been here…read morefor a long time, but they keep it maintained. I went to see The Lion King and it was fabulous! The theater is small enough to capture the details without binoculars or an additional screen. The music was captivating. The colors were vivid. The storyline was familiar, and the characters were great. I would absolutely go back to PPAC to watch this play, and looking forward to other plays coming later this year and next year.

I haven't spent very much time in Providence - but hope to go back because there are some pretty…read moresweet places in town. I was excited to see that the Lion King was playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center! The theater is very easy to get to and there is a ton of parking nearby. Admissions was swift and not crowded - they definitely are organized and know how to keep the traffic moving. They sell various snacks and some are even locally made like the popcorn I bought. The venue itself is beautiful, especially the theater. The seats are as you would expect - velvety and small. The sound and lights were great. I really enjoyed the show. I will say that at times, I felt distracted - it seemed like the audience was louder than I expected - especially with the snack bags. Oh well, what can you do At intermission the women's bathroom was a little bit of a you know what. But this seems to be a common problem with older theaters. Regardless, I had a great time and would def come back to see another show!

Thursday nights are for theater & this production was truly unforgettable! Primary Trust tells a…read morepowerful story about how even the smallest acts of kindness can profoundly change a lonely person's life & it does so with such heart. This was one of the best performances I've seen in a long time - deeply moving, beautifully acted & emotionally resonant from start to finish. Taavon Gamble was absolutely spectacular - his performance was nuanced, captivating & left a lasting impression. The entire cast & production team brought incredible energy & authenticity to the stage, making the story feel both intimate & universal. If you see one show this year, make it Primary Trust at Trinity Repertory Company. It is the kind of theater experience that stays with you long after the curtain falls. Highly recommend.

I went to Trinity Rep over the weekend with 3 of my friends to watch Primary Trust. This was an…read moreexcellent show. Story line, actors really made us feel like we were there in each scene. The space is nice, laid back vibe. From entering to being helped to our seats to exiting the theatre everyone was so nice. We definitely enjoyed the show. The parking is a bit pricey and the drinks are also pricey for a small glass with more ice than drink. The selection is also limited. They have a few snacks and a small area outside the theatre room where you can sit while you wait for the show to start.. I love coming to this theatre for shows. I just wish they would work on the pricing to drink ratio

I needed a few days to get my thoughts together. This was my final stop on my Rhode Island tour,…read moreand it was the one piece of the puzzle in which I did use AI to help me make plans for. What do I mean by that? I use the Kit feature on Spotify to make plans, critique music, hold the algorithm accountable whenever Discover Weekly or Release Radar come on, and even to roast my own taste of music. So when I brought back "The Weekender" to do an episode on my trip to Rhode Island, it suggested I come to this festival I didn't even know existed until that point. Bet! The festival is free, but you can buy a ticket to join their private inner circle, also known as the WaterFire Circle. On that topic, you can join for one night or even get a season pass. Season passes for that, by the way, start at like $1200. I opted to buy a ticket for that one night I was in Rhode Island, which was still $175 plus tax, and because I was in the Circle, my review will be based primarily on my experience in the Circle rather than the rest of the festival. Once you're in line and get in, they give you a wristband that allows to come and go as you please while the tent is open. It comes with complimentary food and libations, a front-row seat of sorts to a fire show, and you even get to sign up to be on one of the boats that go down the river and get you close to the fires. Guess what I did. So we need to start at the complimentary food because that was the first thing I did after signing up for a boat ride. I really like that they give a lot of options for food, allowing you to be able to taste everything they had to offer. There are potato wedges, bourbon-glazed grilled chicken on a stick, hor d'ouvres, asparagus, miniature slices of thin-crust pizza. You name it! And they have these cheesecake bites for dessert that range from key lime pie to one with berry toppings on it, and fruit on a stick you can drizzle chocolate all over. If you've even been to a food tasting event, it's assorted much like that, and there was more than enough for everyone to enjoy something. The chicken was not only really good, but also really popular. I had one stick, and before the fire show began, they were all finished up! The key lime bites were much more slept on, but equally as good. Asparagus was cooked perfectly too, and the cheese and crackers were a delight. Some of the cooked food did come out a little cold, particularly the pizza slices, but even that was not a big deal. They have a good array of drinks and libations too. I was able to eat by these fire lamps, and thank GOD for those because it was certainly starting to get chilly after the sun went down! Now, I did visit two attractions that weren't in the Circle, and I will talk about those right now. Firstly, there's various places where you can get info and merchandise. Considering the kind of event this was, I know I needed to get something in terms of souvenirs. I ended up getting a refrigerator magnet and this wooden medallion looking thingy to bring home. Right after that, I visited this one guy who does origami. He professionally creates a figure in the art, and oh boy is his craft just SO efficient! You can leave a tip or write a note and put it in a jar as a thanks for the token. So let's get to the fire show. So there's this blond woman who comes in and does several different acts with different objects, all of them carrying fire. The way she dances with these flames in her hands is elegant. Don't attempt that kind of thing at home folks! This kind of thing should only be done by professionals. Also, don't bring your kid to these unless they can understand the difference between right and wrong. This one family brought their 4-year-old son to this event, and I was sitting right next to this family when the fire show was taking place. Out of the blue, unprompted, this kid during one of the dances goes announcing that the fire dancer is "a hot girl". His words, not mine. I can only bet his parents had a talk with him about that when they got home that night. I tried to write about the boat ride, but what I had in store would have been too much to fit into this review. If you want to know more about that, I'd be more than happy to message anyone who reaches out for it. What I will say is that it was a worthwhile trip, even if it left me tired and too exhausted to do anything the next two days after.

I think this was one of the most enjoyable evening events I have attended in a long time. My wife…read moreand I loved it so much that after spending a few hours here we grabbed some dinner and headed back to our hotel but then ended up coming back out for at least another hour or so. This is a totally free event where they light bonfires in the waterway and have live music, art installations and light shows. There were a lot of people but there was plenty of space so we didn't feel crowded. It starts around sunset and goes for hours. There are boats that travel along the waterway and tent to the fires, adding wood and making sure everything is safe and stays burning. They also offer gondola rides but you should book those in advance. It was very peaceful and romantic. It's completely outdoors so we brought our dog and many of the restaurants have outdoor seating where you can eat and enjoy the sights. There is also a street fair area adjacent to the waterway that offers food, art, jewelry,etc. We saw a glass blowing demonstration and music acts. That section was quite busy and we did feel a little crowded there. I had never really experienced anything like this before and I enjoyed it. I wish we had something like this where I am and if you're in the area and you see this event, you should definitely stop and check it out.

Great costumes, brutal storyline…read more We would threaten our children with a big nazo performance if they didn't behave. To them, it was the serious punishment.

Passed by this place while on my way to the Biltmore and was like "what the hell is this place!?"…read moreSo when I was done at the Biltmore (a baby shower, not a trick, get your mind out of the gutter), I went back to take a closer look. The window display is really cool and incredibly interesting as you can see by the pictures. Of course I yelped them when I got home and then did some research....they're going to be performing in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver! Excited to see them perform!

This is such a lovely theater! Here's a shotgun review:…read more - Efficient security - Nice ushers - Pricey drinks* - Extremely American vibes** - Good sound engineering - Proper event flow management *To be expected. Two Sun Cruisers & one water bottle was over $30. Maybe inflation - specifically venue inflation - has brainwashed me, because I think that's not even that bad anymore. **Nothing like renaissance inspired architecture & mural style paired with extremely American iconography. An ethereal goddess-like figure in flowing robes with a mf bald eagle perched on her arm.

This is a great theater, especially for comedy shows. I like that it is a little smaller than PPAC,…read moreit is more manageable and no bad seats in the house. It is a beautiful theater. There is a good amount of parking in the area, but definitely need to plan ahead to walk up the hill if you don't use their parking lot. Their parking lot is expensive in my opinion, so I always try to find street parking or use the mall garage. They get really great shows here too. My only complaint is that the shows NEVER start on time.

Perishable Theatre is an incredible demonstration of what happens when sheer will, passion for the…read morearts, dirty hard work, and a rare genetic disease intersect (for reals! See below). The shows are great (and getting better!), they have a slew of weekly events (improv! dance dance party party!), they offer affordable classes (playwriting! acting! belly dance!), AND they are a centrally-located studio rehearsal option for other performing artists. Jingle Belles and a Few Balls, their yearly fundraiser, is a well-cherished holiday tradition in Providence: a burlesque-heavy variety spectacular with a kooky theme - what else can get you in the holiday spirit but some breasts donning glittery Santa Claus pasties? Their tagline is 'Rhode Island's Research & Development Theatre' because they are one of the only theatres in Rhode Island that present original works from nation-wide sources. That's awesome, AND I think this label often gets them unfairly dismissed as a playground for the avant-garde theatre set. Although they do a fair share of experimental stuff, I have seen some incredible, super-audience friendly performances at Perishable. I've been attending shows at the theatre for the past five years, and the quality of performances increases steadily with each season. 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch', performed this past April, was seriously some of the best theatre that I have seen in Providence. The theatre is a black box with handicap access, tickets are affordable to the masses, the bathrooms are clean and spacious (there's two one-at-a-timers), and you can bring in drinks from the AS220 bar next door (bonus!). Free parking can be a pain if it's a busy night downtown, but parking behind the library is usually a good, free bet on any night of the week. The staff of the theatre is small, but VERY dedicated and includes Amy Lynn Budd - director of the theatre arts school and momma of the burlesque scene in PVD. As part of Perishable's season, Amy Lynn is presently working on the third iteration of her biographical play called 'The Thing That Ate My Brain....Almost', a wacky Ed Wood-esque horror flick/comedy detailing her experiences living with a rare and nearly-fatal genetic illness called VHL. Amy Lynn's play is a great example of the kind of the bizarrely gripping tales of humanity you'll see onstage at Perishable. From such a small budget and rather limited space comes some really well-done theatre. I would caution more conservative patrons to do some reading about a show before you attend - there is no denying that some of their work can be, well....weirder than your average community theatre. If you're looking for safe, stick to PPAC. If you're down for a little theatrics - get to Perishable!

Great place to catch a Live Pro(v) wrestling. Nice little setup in downtown Providence, with other…read moreamenities as well.

An award-winning, not-for-profit professional theatre company, The Wilbury Theatre Group engages…read morethe community in thought-provoking conversation through new works, reimagined classics and adventurous playmaking. The theater's leadership group is idealistic, ambitious, and stubborn in their mission to create theatre that entertains, enlightens, and inspires. I volunteer as an usher and I have enjoyed many of the thought provoking productions that make you think...many out of the box. The director of the group, Josh Short has the vision to bring to Providence, many plays and productions that provide a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, with performances that tackle a wide range of contemporary themes and incubate new ideas through clear storytelling and artistic innovation. They have many levels of tickets, with some of them being offered as "pay what you can", to allow all people to enjoy good theater. Their new setup at the Waterfire Arts Center on Valley street, provides a solid venue with great facilities and parking for all patrons, including a bar and a nice roomy lobby.

Our friend who lives in Providence discovered the Wilbury Theatre Group completely by accident, as…read moreshe was looking for activities for us to do during our visit. We managed to catch the opening night showing of Once while we were in town and really enjoyed ourselves. I believe it's first-come-first-served seating, so I do recommend coming early if you want a specific seat. We were a little bit late and arrived about 15 minutes before the show and somehow managed to get the last 3 seats together. The show was great - it felt like very intimate, which was a completely different experience to my first time seeing Once, which was on Broadway in a huge theater.

We did the Providence ghost tour while visiting from out of town, and it was absolutely amazing!…read moreMark was hands down one of the best tour guides we've ever had. We were captivated from beginning to end. He was incredibly knowledgeable, answered every question, and genuinely seemed to care about making sure everyone had a great experience. We also felt completely safe and comfortable walking around Providence at night. The stories were the perfect combination of spooky tales, fascinating history, and unexpected love stories. Mark brought everything to life in a way that made us feel connected to the city and its past. As first-time visitors, we felt like we got an incredible walking tour of Providence while also hearing some amazing ghost stories. It was truly two tours in one! We killed two ravens with one stone! (Shout out Edgar Allen Poe) Cannot recommend this tour, or Mark, enough. Easily one of the highlights of our trip!

Recently, I took part of the Providence Ghost Tour. It was great…read more Courtney, our tour guide and owner was full of information, stories and tidbits regarding the history of Providence and some of its famous ghosts who actively still make themselves visible in the area. The tour starts and ends at Prospect Terrace Park, right by the Roger Williams statue. It is about 90 minutes long and it does take you around several sites around College Hill where you will hear stories about lovers, soldiers, poets and many other who have died and have stayed behind as ghosts. Check it out next time you have a few free hours during the evening. Tours run daily.

The adult ballet classes are my absolute favorite part of my week…read more Katie (who is now on mat leave) is such a lovely teacher - patient and encouraging, whether her students are just learning ballet or coming back to it after 20 years (like me) The other teachers are amazing also - Nicole and Brenna are delightful. Highly recommend jumping into the adult classes.

World Class Ballet Company in Providence RI. I was fortunate last night to accompany my brother to…read morea performance of Up Close on Hope at Festival Ballet Providence. This was an intimate performance in one of the larger rehearsal halls that held ~140 patrons. Each of the numbers were original pieces choreographed by a company member, unique and wonderful in their own right. The performances were moving, emotional and uplifting. A pleasure supporting this up local talent!

Fr-Fr-Fr-Friday Night Live - Love It!…read more I have been bringing my kids to see the Friday Night Live (Improv Show) for almost two years since we picked up the Groupon. My kids are 16-13-10-8 and a great time is had by all. The crew are hilarious. Starts at 7pm and is only $5 per person - you can't beat it for a great way to end your week and start your weekend.

I love the Everett…read more The space is an old carriage house. It's right on the corner of North Main but tucked away enough that one feels like entering into your own performing arts Narnia when you walk across the stone footpath and through the big, beautiful wooden door or out the back into the garden. The company is multi-cultural, multi-generational, and clearly loves performing. It's hard to explain - even as an audience member, you feel the community here. The founder is always in the audience. Many of the core company are from the neighborhood. It's just awesome to walk in the door and feel the love. I've attended 2 types of performance so far - Friday Night Live with the family ($5! Improv! Perfect family-friendly way to kick off the weekend!) and an original show, The Freedom Project, which was a bold, original, multi-media show tackling issues of race and incarceration in America. Especially for the families out there looking for weekend entertainment for the whole family, Everett is a must-visit.