Last month, Aurora’s Paramount Theatre announced it would return to live performances with the first Chicago-area regional production of Kinky Boots. Previews begin August 18. Opening Night is Friday, August 27, at 8 p.m. The Tony Award-winning flashy, sassy, sexy story of big heels invading a small town will run through October 17, 2021.
Today, Paramount confirmed three more blockbuster musicals to follow in Kinky Boots’ big footsteps, taking the company through spring 2022 and marking the 10th Anniversary season for Paramount’s popular Broadway Series:
Cinderella, the classic musical from the genius minds of Rodgers and Hammerstein, is an enchanting story that will make entire families wish fairy godmothers and glass slippers weren’t just for fairy tales. Paramount is planning a mesmerizing new production that gives parents and children a familiar yet reimagined take on the story families have returned to over and over across generations. Brenda Didier, a multiple Jeff Award-winning director and choreographer, including a win for her choreography for Paramount’s 2019 staging of The Producers, will direct. Previews start November 10. Opening Night is Friday, November 19, at 8 p.m. Performances run through January 9, 2022.
Groundhog Day, based on the classic Bill Murray film comedy, will be the second Midwest regional premiere produced by Paramount Theatre in the span of one year. Imagine being stuck in a time loop, waking up and realizing you’re living the same day over and over and over and over again. Set your alarm to make sure you see this uproariously funny, surprisingly touching and simply inspirational musical comedy, nominated for seven Tony Awards. Paramount Theatre Artistic Director Jim Corti will direct. Previews start January 26, 2022. Opening Night is Friday, February 4, at 8 p.m. Performances run through March 13.
Are you ready to rock? Rock of Ages will take audiences back into the iconic music era of the ‘80s, where rock 'n' roll dreamers turn their fantasies into reality. Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Rock of Ages is a Hollywood love story told through the mind-blowing hits of top '80s rock bands like Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Poison and more. Paramount Theatre Artistic Producer and New Works Director Amber Mak will direct. Previews start April 13. Press opening is Friday, April 22, at 8 p.m. Performances run through May 29, 2022.
Kinky Boots, originally slated as Paramount’s 2019-2020 Broadway Series finale, was delayed for more than a year due to the pandemic. New tickets have already been issued to subscribers, and single tickets will go on sale Monday, June 10, at 10 a.m.
Likewise, Paramount is working to re-seat subscribers who had already renewed for the 10th Broadway Series in the newly scheduled runs of Cinderella, Groundhog Day and Rock of Ages. Following the subscriber renewal and re-seating process, new 3-play subscriptions to Paramount’s 10th Broadway Series will go on sale in mid-July, ranging from $54 to $118.50 (without fees).
Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. For more information on renewals, subscriptions or single tickets, visit ParamountAurora.com, or call the box office, (630) 896-6666, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Note: Due to the myriad of calendar shifts this past year, Paramount will not be able to present Ragtime as part of its 10th Anniversary Broadway Series. Instead, Ragtime is under consideration for a future season. As a result, subscribers who renewed for the original four-play season will receive a credit good for additional Broadway Series tickets, general season shows at Paramount, live concerts at RiverEdge Park, or toward their 2022-23 Broadway Series subscription.
More details about Paramount’s 10th Broadway Series
Cinderella
- November 10, 2021-January 9, 2022
- Press opening Friday, November 19 at 8 p.m.
- Directed by Brenda Didier
- Music by Richard Rodgers
- Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
- New Book by Douglas Carter Beane
- Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II
- Orchestrations by Danny Troob
- Music adaptation and arrangements by David Chase
- Suggested for ages 5 and up
Cinderella, from the genius minds of Rodgers and Hammerstein, the masters behind The Sound of Music and Oklahoma!, is an enchanting musical that will make audiences wish fairy godmothers and glass slippers weren’t just for fairy tales.
Experience one of the most beloved and cherished stories of all time like you’ve never seen it before, live on Paramount’s stage with all the spectacle and splendor audiences have come to expect. Paramount is planning a mesmerizing production that gives parents and children a familiar yet reimagined take on the story families have returned to over and over across generations. Experience jaw-dropping magic like never before. From pumpkins that turn into enchanted carriages to tattered rags that suddenly become a beautiful gown, Cinderella will captivate young and old alike.
Fit for a royal ball, Paramount’s Grand Gallery will be decked out for the holiday season with a giant two-story, fully decorated Christmas tree and all the trimmings. With its feel-good message for the entire family, Cinderella is the perfect fit for the holiday season that will leave all ages feeling like the impossible is possible.
Groundhog Day
- Midwest regional premiere
- January 26-March 13, 2022
- Press opening Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m.
- Directed by Jim Corti
- Book by Danny Rubin
- Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin
- Based on the Columbia Pictures motion picture and the story by Danny Rubin
- Orchestrations and arrangements by Christopher Nightingale
- Suggested for ages 14 and up, includes adult language and mature content
Imagine being stuck in a time loop, waking up and realizing you’re living the same day over and over and over and over again.
Meet cynical weatherman Phil Connors, who is living a never-ending nightmare stuck in a small hick town whose biggest claim to fame is meteorologist groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. What sounds like an outlandish fantasy becomes an insightful look at discovering what you’re capable of when you finally lower your defenses, find the selfless person within and make the most of each day.
Based on the classic Bill Murray comedy, Groundhog Day is full of “fertile and feverish theatrical imagination” (The New York Times). Nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, Paramount Theatre is beyond proud to present the Midwest regional premiere of this uproariously funny, surprisingly touching and simply inspirational musical comedy.
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Will you want to see this marvelously manic musical again and again? And again and again and again? We think so!
Rock of Ages
- April 13-May 29, 2022
- Press opening Friday, April 22, 8 p.m.
- Directed by Amber Mak
- Book by Chris D’Arienzo
- Arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp
- Suggested for ages 14 and up, includes adult language and sexual content
Are you ready to rock? Like, really rock?!
Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Rock of Ages will take Paramount audiences back into the iconic music era of the ‘80s, where rock-n-roll dreamers line up to turn their fantasies into reality – and you can be in the front row to watch it all come to life.
Rock of Ages is the story of a small-town girl with Hollywood dreams who meets a big-city boy chasing his rock-star fantasies on L.A.’s infamous Sunset Strip. With the historic Bourbon Room as the backdrop, their love story unfolds right where the biggest names in rock got their start – all told through the mind-blowing hits of top ‘80s rock bands like Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Poison and more.
Paramount’s new production will be a show for the ages that will have audiences singing “Here I Go Again” all the way home. Don’t miss this trip back to when rock was king, and every song was a kingmaker. Relive some of the biggest, baddest rock songs of all time including “Just Like Paradise,” “Sister Christian,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and a whole lot more.
About Paramount Theatre
Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora, is the center for performing arts and education in the second largest city in Illinois. Designed by renowned theater architects C.W. and George L. Rapp, Paramount opened on September 3, 1931. Today, Paramount remains downtown Aurora’s anchor attraction, a beautiful, 1,843-seat theater graced with a 1930s Art Deco influence and original Venetian décor, nationally known for its high-quality productions, superb acoustics and historic grandeur.
Since Paramount Theatre first launched its own Broadway Series in 2011, it grew to be the second largest subscription house in the U.S. More than 41,000 subscribers signed up from all over Chicagoland and the Midwest in 2019-20 to enjoy Paramount’s affordable, critically acclaimed, Broadway-quality productions. In addition to its Broadway Series, Paramount presents an array of internationally known comedians, music stars, dance events and family shows.
Paramount Theatre continues to expand its artistic and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Tim Rater, President and CEO, Aurora Civic Center Authority; Jim Corti, Artistic Director, Paramount Theatre; a dedicated Board of Trustees and a devoted staff of live theater and music professionals.
Paramount is one of five live venues programmed and managed by the Aurora Civic Center Authority. ACCA also oversees the newly-renovated, 165-seat Copley Theatre, right across the street from Paramount; RiverEdge Park, the city’s outdoor concert venue; the Stolp Island Theatre, slated to open in summer 2022 as a 99-seat immersive theater space, and the new Paramount School of the Arts.
For the latest news from Paramount Theatre and updates on upcoming performances, visit ParamountAurora.com or follow Paramount on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, all at @ParamountAurora.