Providence Performing Arts Center Facts for Kids

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

The theater as it looked in 2012.
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Location	Providence, Rhode Island
Built	1928
Architect	Rapp & Rapp
NRHP reference No.	77000027
Added to NRHP	August 19, 1977

Providence Performing Arts Center
Other information
Seating capacity	3,100

The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is a famous theater in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It has a rich history and has had other names, including Loew's State Theatre and Palace Concert Theater. It was built in 1928 as a grand movie palace, a special type of large, fancy theater for showing movies.

Today, the PPAC is a non-profit theater with 3,100 seats. It hosts all kinds of entertainment, like big Broadway shows that travel the country, concerts, plays, and movies. Because of its historical importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

History of the Theater
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History of the Theater

The theater in 1974, when it was called the Palace Theatre.

The theater first opened in 1928 as The Loew's State. It was designed by the famous architects George and C. W. Rapp of the firm Rapp & Rapp, who were known for creating amazing movie palaces all over the United States.

The very first movie shown was Excess Baggage. On opening day, more than 14,000 people crowded into the theater. Most of them weren't there just for the movie, but to see the incredible building itself. They wanted to admire its fancy chandeliers, beautiful marble columns, and all the detailed decorations on the walls.

The theater was also the place for some big movie premieres. This included the first-ever 3-D movie, Bwana Devil.

From Movies to Music

From 1950 to 1972, the theater changed its name to Loew's Theatre. During this time, it stopped showing movies and instead hosted live concerts.

Then, from 1972 to 1975, it was called the Palace Concert Theater. It became a popular spot for rock concerts. In just two years, famous bands like the Bee Gees, The Kinks, The Doors, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, and Aerosmith all performed on its stage. The band King Crimson even recorded a song called "Providence" during a concert here in 1974.

A Close Call and a New Life

The theater was fixed up in 1975, but by 1977, it was in danger of being torn down. The owner wanted a permit to demolish the historic building.

However, the mayor of Providence at the time, Buddy Cianci, stepped in to save it. He promised to use over $1 million of the city's money to keep the theater open. The state of Rhode Island, along with local businesses, also helped in the effort.

Thanks to this support, the theater was saved and reopened in October 1978. It was given a new name: the Ocean State Theatre. It kept this name until 1982, when it became the Providence Performing Arts Center.

Restored to its Former Glory

Starting in 1999, the PPAC went through a major renovation. It was carefully restored to look as it did when it first opened in 1928. The building was also expanded so it could host large, traveling Broadway shows and orchestra performances.

In 1996, the PPAC became the main attraction of the city's Arts and Entertainment District. This special zone, created by Mayor Cianci, offered tax breaks to encourage artists to live and work in the downtown area.