20 Years Ago

The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie was a silly cartoon feature that became a hit with the kids.

Johnny Depp starred in “Finding Neverland.” George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt starred in “Ocean’s Twelve.”

Jim Cartwright’s contemporary bittersweet drama “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” was a big hit at Gamm Theatre, under the direction of Tony Estrella and starring Alan Hawkridge, Wendy Overly, Casey Seymour, and Kim and Tom Oakes.

The long-gone 2nd Story Theatre presented Moliere’s “Tartuffe,” directed by Ed Shea and starring John Michael Richardson, Will Jamison, Rae Mancini, Bob Colonna, Marilyn Meardon and Paula Faber.

Kenny Rogers was at PPAC.

First Night Providence was now called Bright Night and included mostly local acts, including Rhode Island’s own Duke Robillard.

40 Years Ago

The old Cable Car Cinema brought back Fritz Lang’s 1926 classic, “Metropolis.”

Stephen King’s “Children of the Corn” was at the Garden City Cinema. Eddie Murphy starred in the original “Beverly Hills Cop.”

Warwick Mall had free movies for kids on Saturday mornings while their mothers went shopping.

Cathay Garden in East Greenwich had an all you could eat Chinese buffet for $6.95.

Harbourside Lobstermania had lobster dinners for $12.95. A dozen Dunkin’ Donuts was $1.19.

Alias Stage was the new theatre in town, performing at the third floor loft at School One. Their first production was Sam Shepard’s “Cowboy Mouth.” That tiny little theatre is now grown into the fabulous Gamm Theatre in Warwick.

The late Howard London played Scrooge in Trinity’s “A Christmas Carol.”