Paramount Theater resumes live performance August 18, 2021
First live performance will be the performance “Kiny Boots”
Nearly 14 months after dimming its lights, Aurora’s Paramount Theatre announced today it plans to welcome audiences back for live performances in August with Chicago’s first regional production of Kinky Boots.
“It’s my great pleasure to say: We look forward to seeing you at the Paramount starting August 18! We appreciate our patrons for staying with us. We couldn’t do any of it without you,” wrote Tim Rater, President and CEO of Paramount Theatre, in a letter announcing the return of live performances.
Rater added, “While Illinois is still under the Bridge Phase of the state’s recovery plan, indoor gatherings still have a lot of restrictions surrounding them. With current guidelines, it isn’t possible to rehearse, let alone gather to watch a performance. However, over the next month or so, we expect those restrictions to change. With those changes, we anticipate being able to safely bring our actors and company members back together.”
New tickets will be reissued to all Paramount subscribers and Kinky Boots single ticket holders by the end of May. As always, if newly scheduled performances don’t work with a patron’s schedule, they can exchange their tickets to any other Kinky Boots performance.
Kinky Boots – the flashy, sassy, sexy story of big heels invading a small town – shook Broadway and was universally adored by critics and audiences, winning every major Best Musical Award including the Tony, the Grammy and London’s Olivier Award. Now it’s Paramount Theatre’s turn to try Lola’s red, thigh-high stilettos on for size.
Meet Charlie, a reluctant shoemaker. Lola is a fierce drag queen. Charlie and Lola could not be more different. But when they find common ground in shoes, they see a whole new world of possibilities that will turn their small town upside down, and just might save Charlie’s failing shoe factory. Inspired by true events, this huge-hearted hit tells the story of two people with nothing in common – or so they think. From its glorious costume, to its dizzyingly tall heels and songs that will leave audiences humming for days, no show captures what it means to do what you love and love what you do more than Kinky Boots.
Kinky Boots features high-kicking music and lyrics by Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper, a book rooted in fun, love and acceptance by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein, and fierce direction by Paramount’s own Trent Stork. It’s an ideal, upbeat show to welcome audiences back for live performances at Paramount.
Paramount is preparing to safely bring its actors and company members back together in July to start rehearsals. The theater anticipates updated social distancing guidelines from the state for theatrical gatherings when it begins welcoming audiences back in August and will adhere to all current rules.
Performances of Kinky Boots are August 18 to October 17, 2021. Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora. Single tickets are on sale now. For tickets and information, visit ParamountAurora.com, or call the box office, (630) 896-6666, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Following its run of Kinky Boots, Paramount will be able to launch its long-awaited 10th Anniversary Broadway Season. Stay tuned for dates and details.
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. Community members also enjoy Paramount’s Classic Movie Monday series for just $1.
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 99-seat immersive theater space, as well as the new Paramount School of the Arts.
For the latest news from Paramount Theatre and updates on upcoming performances, please visit ParamountAurora.com, or follow Paramount on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, all @ParamountAurora.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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