‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Wicked,’ ‘The Lion King’ and More Coming to PPAC in 2025-26

Buckle up, Rhode Island theater lovers: The Providence Performing Arts Center just announced its 2025-26 lineup and it’s promising to be a thrilling ride all season long. From magical engagements like Harry Potter and Wicked to all-new productions like the Tony Award winning Best Musical, The Outsiders, this is your chance to be transported to Broadway without ever stepping foot outside the 401. See the full schedule below.

Taco and the White Family Foundation Broadway Series

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Dates: September 19 — October 4, 2025

For the non-Potterheads among us, The Cursed Child is a sequel to the beloved seven-book (and subsequent eight-movie) franchise that dominated popular culture in the early to mid-aughts. The story follows Harry Potter’s son, Albus, as he pursues a friendship with the son of his father’s school rival, Draco Malfoy. In true Wizarding World fashion, the two end up on wild journey involving spectacular spells, epic battles and even a race through time. President and CEO of Providence Performing Arts Center J.L. “Lynn” Singleton already anticipates that the show will attract old and new fans alike, so be sure to grab your tickets asap if you’re hoping to get in on the magic.

Water for Elephants

Dates: December 2–7, 2025

Based on the critically acclaimed bestselling novel of the same name, this new musical tells the tale of a downtrodden young man who finds a new home, life and love with a traveling circus. Narrated by his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that you can begin again at any age. A New York Times Crtic’s pick, the publication calls the musical “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”

Suffs

Dates: January 20–25, 2026

You’ve heard the old adage, “Behind every successful man, there is a woman.” Well, Suffs (short for suffragettes) proves, “Behind every powerful woman, are more powerful women.” Created by Shaina Taub, the Tony Award-winning musical showcases the brilliant, passionate and funny twentieth century American women who fought for the right to vote. At a time when equality is still very much part of the conversation, the Chicago Tribune says Suffs, “humanizes, empowers, moves and entertains.”

Wicked

Dates:  March 4–22, 2026

If you can’t get enough of Elphaba and Glinda and don’t think even Part 2 of the Hollywood version in December will be able to satiate, then you’re going to want to see the “popular” stage show that started it all. But just in case you aren’t well-versed in Wicked ahead of time, all you need to know is that long before Dorothy landed in Oz, another young woman born with emerald green skin and extraordinary talents met an ambitious bubbly blonde and formed an unlikely  friendship… that is, until one was deemed” good” and the other “wicked.”

The Outsiders

Dates: April 14–19, 2021

Has anyone ever told you to “Stay gold, Ponyboy”? Here’s where the heartfelt saying originated. Adapted from S.E. Hinton’s ground-breaking novel and Franci Ford Coppola’s iconic film, The Outsiders is set in 1967 Oklahoma and features the struggle between a greaser found family of outsiders and an affluent group called the Socs. Not your typical clash of the classes tale, the Outsiders is a story of friendship, family, belonging and optimism. Also, it should be noted that it was the winner of four 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Kimberly Akimbo

Dates: May 5–10, 2026

The most Tony-Award-winning show of its season, this new musical is about growing up and growing old. The titular character is about to turn sixteen and has recently moved to a new town in the ‘burbs of Jersey. In typical coming-of-age fashion, Kimberly navigates family dysfunction and her first crush, but also not so typically deals with a genetic condition… and the threat of felony charges. But against all odds, the optimistic teenager is determined to be happy. The New Yorker deems it a “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show.”

 

Encore Series

Six

Dates: October 22–26, 2025

Returning to PPAC after a spectacular run in 2023, Six turns the six wives of Henry VIII into pop icons and allows them to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a celebration of twenty-first century girl power. Fun fact: the Six: Live on Opening Night Broadway album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and even surpassed one billion streams worldwide.

Hadestown

Dates: November 7–9, 2025

Another PPAC touring favorite, Hadestown is a place where a song can change your fate. Based on the tragic love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice as well as Hades and Persephone, the musical won eight 2019 Tony Awards (including Best Musical) and the 2020 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.

Clue

Dates: January 16–18, 2026

BankNewport Family Night: Friday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m.

So, whodunit? Colonel Mustard in the study with the candlestick? Miss Scarlet in the library with a knife? This is your chance to find out. Much like the popular Hasbro board game, murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble for a dinner party at Boddy Manor. It will leave you laughing and guessing until the final twist.

Disney’s The Lion King

Dates: May 20–June 7, 2026

BankNewport Family Night: Wednesday, May 27 at 7 p.m.

Watch the Serengetti come to life as you never have before. There’s a reason the Lion King has won six Tony Awards and awed more than 100 million people around the world. Get ready for soaring music (seriously, nothing can top those opening notes of “Circle of Life”), stunning visuals, and a story filled with hope and adventure.

 

Specials

Boston Pops Holiday Concert — Keith Lockhart as Conductor

Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025

The pops will return this holiday season to perform their signature “Sleigh Ride,” traditional Holiday Sing-A-Long, plus brand new arrangements of seasonal favorites. Santa Claus himself is also rumored to pop in for a visit!

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Date: December 19–21, 2025

This longtime-running whimsical holiday spectacular blends Broadway-style production with contemporary circus arts. Expect to see storybook characters brought to life, an original music score, twists on holiday classics and stunning sets.

Bill Blagg’s Family Magic – Sensory-Friendly Performance

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2 p.m.

Featuring more than sixty-minutes of non-stop magical fun, Family Magic is designed to entertain and engage audiences of all ages. Renowned magician Bill Blagg effortlessly combines comedy, audience participation and mind-bending magic. As a sensory-friendly performance, some accommodations include dimmed house lights, lower sound levels (90 decibels), no strobe lighting, the permittance of audience members to bring coping tools such as weighted blankets or fidgets, and break areas located throughout the theatre.

 

Subscription packages for both the regular season and Encore series are now on sale for both new and current subscribers. New subscribers may call the PPAC Box Office at 401-421-ARTS (2787) to learn more or subscribe. Box Office window and phone hours are Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and two hours prior to curtain time on performance days. Current subscriber seats will be held until the renewal deadline on Thursday, May 22, 2025. PPAC will notify current subscribers via email when their renewal packets are in the mail.

Individual ticket sales will be available soon. For more information about the current season and/or the theatre, visit ppacri.org.