Celebrate the Loews Theatre Building's 80^th Anniversary and

BRIGHTEN YOUR LIFE WITH BROADWAY THIS SEASON AT PPAC!

"It's fitting, in the 80^th Anniversary of the Loews Theatre Building, that PPAC is the jumping off point for two major North American Touring Broadway productions: LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL and GREASE. Providence was selected from a number of cities interested in opening both of these prestigious tours. It adds another layer of excitement to what is already an exciting season," remarked Mr. Singleton. "Before they open for audiences, both productions - actors, musicians, crew members, and show representatives - will all be at PPAC and in Providence for a number of weeks, getting the shows set up and ready to go on tour to perform all over North America.  It should be very interesting from a theatrical standpoint; and with so many people in town on an extended stay, eating out at restaurants, staying in hotels, and shopping in Providence and surrounding communities, it will certainly be a boon for the local economy. PPAC will be pleased to work with both the Providence Tourism Council (PTC) and the Providence/Warwick Convention and Visitor's Bureau (PWCVB) to make the extended local stays for both the LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL and GREASE cast and crew members exceptional; we thank PTC and PWCVB for their support." Mr. Singleton continued, "We are greatly looking forward to this season's exciting mix of new and classic Broadway theatricals, and we would like to extend our thanks to our flagship sponsor, Citizens Bank, for their support."

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL ANNOUNCES THE FIRST NATIONAL TOUR DATES

"AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (Time Magazine)   WILL KICK OFF ITS PINK PUMPS   AT RHODE ISLAND'S PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (PPAC)   DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY TONY AWARD WINNER JERRY MITCHELL MUSIC AND LYRICS BY LAURENCE O'KEEFE & NELL BENJAMIN BOOK BY HEATHER HACH

Providence, Rhode Island......It was announced today that Broadway's "mega- hit" (Wall Street Journal) LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL, will kick off its first national tour in Rhode Island at The Providence Performing Arts Center, PPAC on September 23, 2008.   As on Broadway, Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell is the director and choreographer.  Music and lyrics are by both Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and the book is by Heather Hach.  Casting will be announced shortly.              America goes Blonde starting at Rhode Island's PPAC (September 23-September 28, 2008).  Other venues for the first national tour of the "the funniest, most fabulous new musical" (WWOR-TV) include: Baltimore, MD (September 30-October 12, 2008); Rochester, NY (October 21-26, 2008); Schenectady (November 25-30, 2008); Philadelphia, PA (December 2-7, 2008); Hartford, CT (December 9-14, 2008); Washington, DC (December 16, 2008-January 11, 2009); East Lansing, MI (January 13-18, 2009); St. Louis, MO (January 20-February 1, 2009); Houston, TX (February 10-22, 2009); Orlando, FL (March 10-15, 2009); West Palm Beach, FL (March 17-22, 2009); Greenville, SC (March 24-29, 2009); Durham, NC (April 14-19, 2009); Charlotte, NC (April 21-26, 2009); St. Paul, MO (April 28-May 10, 2009); Dayton, OH (June 16-21, 2009); Kansas City, MO (June 30-July 5, 2009); Atlanta, GA (July 14-19, 2009); Dallas, TX (July 21-August 9, 2009); Costa Mesa, CA (September 8-20, 2009).  More cities to be announced soon.              Sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer.  So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.               On October 13, 2007, MTV gave the nation a rare look at a Broadway show by premiering LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL in its entirety on the network.  The unprecedented airing reached over 12.5 million viewers nationwide and ranked #1 in its time period among P12-34 across all of television.  The special included a behind-the-scenes look at the musical and a Pink Carpet extravaganza hosted by the cast of "The Hills" live from the Palace Theatre in NYC.                Following the success of "Legally Blonde The Musical", MTV will once again join forces with the LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL team this time to search for a talented singer/actress/dancer to take over for the Tony Nominated Broadway star currently playing Elle Woods, Laura Bell Bundy.   The show is called "Legally Blonde: Search for Elle Woods."             In its first year on Broadway, LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL earned seven 2007 Tony Award nominations, ten 2007 Drama Desk Award Nominations, a 2007 Outer Critics Circle Award and the chorus of the musical was honored by Actors' Equity Association's Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs (ACCA) with the first ever ACCA Award.  The musical also ranked in the top ten list of the most requested Ticketmaster "Arts & Theatre Events" for 2007.                The Original Broadway Cast Recording for "Legally Blonde The Musical," was released on Ghostlight Records, an imprint of Sh-K-Boom Records, and captured the #1 slot on the Billboard Cast Album chart and charted at #86 on the Billboard Top 200.  The album has continued its success, charting every week as one of the top-selling Broadway cast recordings and soared to the Top 10 albums (of any genre) on iTunes once the show premiered on MTV.             LEGALLY BLONDE is produced by Hal Luftig, Fox Theatricals and Dori Berinstein, in association with MGM Onstage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber.   The production features scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller, orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke and sound design by ACME Sound Partners.

"We are very excited to open this tour in Providence," said Mike Isaacson, Fox Theatricals, Producer - LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL. "Because the company will be in town for over a month working on the production, there will be a very real, very positive economic impact made on the region: 85 company members will be staying in the city for four weeks and will spend nearly $300,000 on food and hotels; we also estimate that 200 additional people - family, friends, and colleagues - will be in town to support the cast, crew, and producers during the opening week of the show, spending an additional $80,000 on food and lodging. The production will also employ approximately 15 local crew members during the four-week ‘load in' and ‘teching' period.  We estimate the total economic impact for Providence to be more than $1,000,000 - and that is before the curtain ever goes up for audiences at PPAC during the performance week."

Family shows and special engagements will be announced at a later date; visit ppacri.org for the most current information.  Please note that all dates, programs, and artists are subject to change without notice.  Tickets for all shows are available now for season ticket holders only; for more information about becoming a subscriber and to receive a complimentary brochure, call the Box Office at (401) 421-ARTS; contact Sharon Corcoran at (401) 574-3136; or visit ppacri.org. Schools, organizations, clubs, churches, families, and friends who wish to obtain more information on group sales of 20 or more, please contact Paul Hiatt at (401) 574-3162 or groups@ppacri.org.  Details regarding reception rooms and restaurant packages are available for groups upon request.

PPAC Subscribers receive a host of benefits, including guaranteed seat location, exchange privileges, advance ordering, and more! New this season: for the first time ever, PPAC Season Ticket Holders may choose to "opt out" of one show in the Citizens Bank Broadway Series in exchange for additional seats to any other show in that series - contact the box office for details. Additionally, a special Kids' Night on Broadway performance of Ian Fleming's CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG has been added for Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 7:30P - PPAC Season Ticket Holders have the first chance to order tickets. Contemporary Classics Series subscribers may switch in to that performance in advance, and Citizens Bank Broadway Series subscribers may advance order for that performance. For more information, call the Box Office at (401) 421-ARTS.

Subscribers are invited to consider joining The President's Club; some of the special features offered exclusively by The President's Club include use of a private lounge area with restroom access, coat check, light fare, and new this year, complimentary parking for subscription performances. Subscribers may purchase a membership for two by making a $650 tax-deductible donation to the PPAC Annual Fund.  The President's Club will be open during all subscription performances and other selected performances.  For more information please contact Executive Assistant for Development, Patricia Neves, at pneves@ppacri.org or (401) 421-2997.

2008/2009 CITIZENS BANK BROADWAY SERIES

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL will kick off the Citizens Bank Broadway Series from September 23 - 28, 2008.  This show will also open its National Tour in Providence. It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine).  The hilarious MGM film is Broadway's new smash hit musical, and now LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is coming to you.  LEGALLY BLONDE follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn't take "no" for an answer.  When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.  After turning Broadway and MTV hot pink, this "Feel-Good Song and Dance Juggernaut" (New York Magazine) is "The Best New Musical Around!" (WOR)

The one that you want is back!  GREASE, Time Magazine's 2007 pick for "#1 musical of the year," will play PPAC December 2 - 7, 2008. This new production direct from Broadway will also open its National Tour in Providence before rockin' across the country. Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds.  "Bad boy" Danny and "the girl next door" Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs: "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin'," and "We Go Together," as well as additional songs from the hit movie: "Grease Is the Word," "Hopelessly Devoted to You," and "You're the One That I Want." So throw your mittens around your kittens and Hand Jive the night away with the show that'll make you want to stand up and shout, "A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop A-wop-bam-boom!"  GREASE!

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, the Tony Award-winning musical that has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal, will take the Providence Performing Arts Center stage February 10 - 15, 2009. In what is a huge theatrical feat, audiences will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the original Tevye, Chaim Topol, perform the role that made him legendary with his award-winning portrayal in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has been lauded by critics again and again, and won the hearts of people all around the world. Filled with a rousing, heartwarming score, which includes "Tradition," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," and "Sunrise, Sunset," FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is a timeless classic. No other musical has so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and laughter into such an electrifying and unforgettable experience. Relive a glorious tradition of the musical theatre with Topol in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.

A CHORUS LINE, the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, comes to PPAC March 31 - April 5, 2009. In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed - to have the chance to dance.  This is A CHORUS LINE, the musical for everyone who's ever had a dream and put it all on the line.  Winner of nine Tony Awards, including "Best Musical," and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever.  Now A CHORUS LINE returns.  Come meet the new generation of Broadway's best. The New Yorker's John Lahr writes, "A CHORUS LINE is back, and it's thrilling!"

The provocative and intriguing SPRING AWAKENING makes its Ocean State debut April 21 - 26, 2009. Broadway's most talked about new musical is now the biggest Tony Award Winner in years - "Broadway may never be the same again!" writes The New York Times. SPRING AWAKENING is the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock & roll that has awakened Broadway like no other musical in years. Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, SPRING AWAKENING celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy, and a passion you will never forget. Parental discretion advised: this show contains mature themes, including sexual situations and profanity.

THE COLOR PURPLE concludes the Citizens Bank Broadway Series May 27 - 31, 2009. Oprah Winfrey Presents THE COLOR PURPLE is a soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg.  It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who triumphs over tremendous odds to find joy in life, and her true inner beauty.  Nominated for 11 Tony Awards, THE COLOR PURPLE is a landmark theatrical event.  With a joyous Grammy-nominated score featuring jazz, gospel and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is capturing the hearts of young and old, and uniting audiences in a celebration of love. Michael Kuchwara of The Associated Press calls THE COLOR PURPLE "a roof-raising story of triumph!"

2008/2009 CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS SERIES

HAPPY DAYS - A NEW MUSICAL kicks off the Contemporary Classics Series January 23 - 25, 2009. Goodbye gray skies, hello blue! Happy days are here again with Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and the unforgettable "king of cool" Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli. Based on the hit Paramount Pictures' television series, HAPPY DAYS - A NEW MUSICAL reintroduces one of America's best loved families, the Cunninghams, and the days of 1959 Milwaukee complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops, and jukebox sock-hoppin'. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one hang-out, Arnold's, is in danger of demolition, so the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and TV-worthy wrestling match. This perfectly family-friendly musical will have you rockin' and rollin' all show long!

THE WIZARD OF OZ, one of the greatest family musicals of all time, twists its way into Providence February 27 - March 1, 2009. The entire family will be captivated as they travel down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond with Dorothy, Toto, and their friends - the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow - in this lavish production, featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography, and classic songs. A spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, THE WIZARD OF OZ will blow you away from the moment the tornado touches down and transports you to a dazzling art deco Oz, complete with munchkins and flying monkeys. Don't miss the chance to travel "Over the Rainbow" and experience this national treasure on stage.

You'll believe a car can fly when CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG takes the PPAC stage March 19 - 22, 2009!  CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is everything you could want in a musical - and more.  Sensational sets, stunning special effects, an irresistible story, and an unforgettable Sherman Brothers score, including memorable classics like "Truly Scrumptious," "Hushabye Mountain," and, of course, the Oscar-nominated title song, all add up to a Broadway blockbuster the whole family will love. The enthralling adventure of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the magical car that sails the seas and flies through the air, has been a family favorite since the original motion picture captivated the world's imagination in 1968. Chitty's eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts, and his children, Jemima and Jeremy, join the truly "scrumptious" and kooky Grandpa Potts in outwitting the dastardly Baron and Baroness of Vulgaria in their attempt to steal the flying car for themselves. On March 19 at 7:30P, come celebrate Kids' Night on Broadway with CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, when children, ages 18 and under, can attend this performance of the show for free when accompanied by an adult who purchases a full-priced ticket.