Brad Oscar is thrilled to be back in Rhode Island, where he will be playing two roles in the Mel Brooks musical “Young Frankenstein.”

Brad, along with the rest of the cast and crew, has been in Providence for a couple of weeks, rehearsing for the opening of the National Tour of the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award-winning show. He has family in Cranston, Providence and Greenville, and they will all be coming to the Providence Performing Arts Center to see him play the two very different roles of Inspector Kemp and the Blind Hermit.

The two stars of the Broadway production, Shuler Hensley as The Monster and Roger Bart as Dr. Frankenstein, have signed on for the tour, a rarity in musical theatre productions.

“It has been fun working on the show, especially in this stunning, gorgeous palace of a theatre,” Oscar said. “As a kid I came to Rhode Island every summer and have fond memories of Rocky Point and the Seekonk Pool Club. It was a big part of my life. But it has sure changed. I didn’t recognize the downtown. I love the contrast of old and new.

“I haven’t been back here since the ’80s, when I came to see a friend in a show at PPAC. And then I think there was a wedding.

Oscar earned his BFA at Boston University and immediately moved to New York City, where he waited on tables while he auditioned for a Broadway opportunity, landing a part in Lloyd-Webber’s “Aspects of Love.”

“After that, I just kept working,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate. I cherish every day. Right now, we have no spare time until the show opens. Then I’ll get a chance to walk around the city and take in the history.”

After Rhode Island, the show heads for Hartford, then Cleveland, Columbus, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

“We’ll be in Chicago for six weeks and Washington for four,” Brad said. “We’ll be working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, plus New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with no break. We really don’t live normal lives.”

The show opened at PPAC Tuesday night, with press night Wednesday. Additional performances are Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m. Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Call 421-ARTS for reservations.