Whether you are discovering Providence for the first time or rediscovering the microcosm of arts and entertainment that lie in your own backyard, you need to be aware of the city's historic performance venues.
The Veterans Memorial Auditorium Arts & Cultural Center is part of the 1920's Masonic complexes that built up in cities across America. The foundations of this theater were laid in 1927, but was not completed due to the Great Depression of the 1930's. Work was finally completed and the theater opened in January 1950.
Refurbishment began in the 1990's while the city was going through a renaissance of its own. The elaborate theater features an ornate proscenium stage that has an unobstructed view from the audience of over 1900 capacity. The acoustics are excellent and the decorative ceiling uniquely symbolizes the 39 communities of Rhode Island. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a memorial to the veteran soldiers of Rhode Island. It is located on the Avenue of the Arts next to the state capital and beside the Renaissance Providence Hotel.
Another historic theater is the Providence Performing Arts Center, or PPAC for short. Originally a movie palace built in 1928, the PPAC is now the heart of the arts and entertainment district of Providence. The 3100 seat theater is the second largest in New England and showcases many types of performances from Broadway touring companies, contemporary plays and concerts.This theater is also on the National Register of Historic Places and in 2000 the proscenium, walls, ceilings and carpets were restored to their original opulence.
The Lederer Theater, home of the Trinity Repertory Company, is housed in the Majestic theater building. The Majestic was built in 1917 as a Vaudeville house amongst nearly a dozen similar theaters in Providence that were filled to capacity. After World War I, musical revues became the popular entertainment and kept the Majestic in business through the mid 1920s.
The owners chose not to renew the lease once motion pictures became popular. It was then that the Majestic became a movie palace and screened movies from the silent film era up until the 1970's. Movie goers slowly left the old downtown theaters for the new multi-screen theaters build in the suburban strip malls. The Majestic was gutted and split into two separate theaters by the Trinity Square Repertory Company while preserving the original Italian style facade and ornamentation. In 1972 The Majestic was added to the National Register of Historic Places and today the theater offers live performances and supports educational institutions for the performing arts.
Sometimes an historic day trip can happen in your own backyard. Make sure you take some time this winter to revisit Providence and enjoy a night of theater followed by dinner in a variety of excellent restaurants that have sprung up around the city.
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