Providence Performing Arts Center Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Loew's State Theatre
U.S. National Register of Historic Places


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Location	Providence, Rhode Island
Built	1928
Architect	Rapp & Rapp
NRHP reference No.	77000027
Added to NRHP	August 19, 1977

The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) (formerly Loew's State Theatre and Palace Concert Theater) is a multi-use theater located at 220 Weybosset Street in Providence, Rhode Island. The building was built as a movie palace by the Loews Theatres chain and opened in 1928. PPAC contains over 3,000 seats and hosts touring Broadway shows, concerts, plays and films.

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History

The theater was built in 1928 as The Loew's State by Rapp and Rapp. George and C.W. Rapp were architects who made their name by designing movie houses across the United States. The first film to show there was Excess Baggage, starring William Haines. Over 14,000 people jammed the building during its opening; they did not come to watch the film, but to see the theatre's opulent chandeliers, marble columns, and detailed moldings on the walls.

It was the site of a number of notable movie premieres, including the first 3-D feature film, Bwana Devil.

Between 1950 and 1972 the theatre operated under the name Loew's Theatre and showed live concerts, rather than movies.

Between 1972 and 1975 the building was known as the Palace Concert Theater, and was used primarily for rock concerts. In 1973-1974 alone, the Palace Concert Theatre hosted Bee Gees, The Kinks, The Doors, Lou Reed, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, and Aerosmith. The band King Crimson recorded the song "Providence" during a 1974 concert at the venue, and the recording was featured on their seventh album Red, released later that year.

The theater was almost torn down in the late 1970s. According to mayor Buddy Cianci's account, the theatre's owner asked for a permit to demolish the building. Cianci pledged over $1 million of city funds to keep the theatre open.

The theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 as Loew's State Theatre. From 1978 to 1982, the theatre operated under the name Ocean State Theatre.

Beginning in 1999, the theater was extensively remodeled and largely restored to its original 1928 opulence. It was also expanded to be able to accommodate traveling Broadway productions and orchestra performances. In 1996, PPAC became the anchor of Cianci's Arts and Entertainment District, which offered tax breaks to attract artists to downtown.