Cranston East graduate (1976) Gary Lynch is coming home to star in the hit musical “Dirty Dancing” at the Providence Performing Arts Center April 21-26.

Lynch has a long and distinguished career that began when Donald Babbitt asked the sophomore football player to audition for a role in “Hello Dolly,” which led to the role of Curly in “Oklahoma.”

“I had no idea what that was going to lead to,” Lynch told me from his hotel room in Ottawa, where the popular Broadway musical has been playing to sold out audiences.

Lynch’s teacher and mentor at the University of New Hampshire was Carol Burns.

“She now lives in Florida but travels everywhere to see my shows,” he said. “She’s seen me in ‘Dirty Dancing’ four times.”

Lynch moved to New York City in 1980, and now resides in New Jersey, where he now serves on the staff and board of the New Jersey School for the Dramatic Arts.

“I got a call from Tommy Brent to audition for a role at Theatre-by-the-Sea,” he said. “Tommy thought I was a New York actor. I got the role and ended up returning to Rhode Island for a number of summers. I loved my summers in Matunuck. It was a great training ground, and Tommy was a great mentor.”

(I remember reviewing Gary in many productions, and they were glowing reviews about the talents of this “up and coming young actor.”)

Gary plays Max Kellerman, owner of a resort in a production he refers to as a “hybrid.”

“There are not many shows like this,” he said. “It is technically not a musical, where the songs move the story along. It is a classic story told on stage, taking everything from the movie and performing it live. It has a huge fan base.”

Lynch is very excited about returning home to Rhode Island, and seeing his parents and old friends whom he has kept in contact with through social media.

“My dad was a teacher and Director of Athletics at Cranston West,” he said. “He’s 91 years old and hasn’t seen me on stage in a while. Although I’ve played Theatre-by-the-Sea, North Shore Playhouse, the Cape Playhouse, and Boston at least five times, this will be my first time on the PPAC stage. I can’t wait.”

Gary’s career included the original national tour of “Mama Mia”, where he was in the production for five years, including a nine-month tour in Toronto. “It is fun being back in Canada.” He has been on Broadway in “Les Mis,” “Mama Mia” and “Dirty Dancing.”

“I’ve been lucky in this business,” he said. “And I’ve had good mentor along the way. I’ve had the same manager for thirty years.

Gary said that he can’t wait to see his friends and family in Rhode Island. You can see him and the 25 other cast members in the record-breaking classic story with its heart-pounding music, passionate romance, and sensational dancing.

You’ll remember many of the songs from the movie, including “Hungry Eyes,” “Do You Love Me?” and "(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”

“Dirty Dancing” is at the Providence Performing Arts Center now through April 26. Call 421-ARTS for tickets.