Providence Performing Arts Center
220 Weybosset St
Providence, RI
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Broadway musicals are back at PPAC, and nobody is happier than Kyle Taylor Parker, who plays the role of Happy Man in the popular movie-turned-musical “Pretty Woman.”

Kyle wowed the PPAC audience seven years ago when he played Lola in “Kinky Boots.” I remember the audience standing in applause to his big number.

“I had a blast playing Lola,” he told me, “and I’m also having a blast with Happy Man. He is godfather to Vivian’s Cinderella, becoming many characters to help her and Edward get closer and live happily ever after.

“I have my favorite line in the play: ‘Welcome to Hollywood. What’s your dream? Everyone who comes to Hollywood has a dream!’”

Kyle is happy to get back on stage after the pandemic closed down Broadway.

“Pretty Woman” had closed on Broadway in 2019 and moved to London’s West End before COVID-19 shut it down. It recently reopened in July, and starts its American tour in Providence.

“During the pandemic I was able to do a few small concerts and productions and release my album, ‘Broadway Soul, Vol. 2,’” Parker said. “It has show tunes reworked as soul and R&B standards.”

Kyle has also been seen in “Smokey Joe’s Café”, “Finian’s Rainbow,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and NBC’s acclaimed production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

“Pretty Woman: The Musical” is at PPAC through Oct. 16.

For tickets, call 421-2787 or visit ppacri.org.