Paramount Theatre Announces Full 2015-16 Season
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press contacts: Jay Kelly, LCWA Jim Jarvis, Paramount Theatre [email protected] or 312.565.4623 [email protected] or 630.723.2474 PARAMOUNT THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL 2015-16 SEASON Donny & Marie, Jay Leno, Peter Cetera, Frank Caliendo, Jack Hanna and Josh Turner just a few of the major acts to play the Paramount next season AURORA, IL, June 1, 2015 – Paramount Theatre President and CEO Tim Rater announced today another exciting, jam-packed schedule of major stars, live music acts, top comedy stars and family performances guaranteed to keep the Paramount filled with capacity crowds year-round in 2015-16. Already announced, and straight from Vegas, is the return of Donny & Marie, Aug. 12-16, back after their smash hit run last August at the Paramount. Likewise, Paramount’s 2015-16 Broadway musical series was unveiled last March, including Oklahoma! (Sept. 16-Oct. 18, 2015), A Christmas Story – The Musical (Nov. 25, 2015-Jan. 3, 2016), Hairspray – The Broadway Musical (Jan. 20-Feb. 21, 2016) and West Side Story (Mar. 16-Apr. 24, 2016). That attractive line- up has already spurred more than 25,000 subscribers for Paramount’s Buy Two, Get Two offer, or four Broadway-caliber musicals for a little as $82. Today, Rater unveiled the balance of the Paramount’s 2015-16 schedule, with big names including Jay Leno, Peter Cetera, Frank Caliendo, Terry Fator, Under the Streetlamp, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Jack Hanna, Josh Turner, The Second City, STOMP and Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack, just to name a few, all performing live on the beautiful Paramount stage in the heart of downtown Aurora. Soon after Donny & Marie bring their Vegas show back to Aurora, the Paramount’s 84th season officially launches Friday, August 21 with the annual Season Kick Off-Party that raises money for a great cause - kids. For just $15, guests will sample phenomenal food from around the Aurora area, check out incredible silent auction prizes and enjoy a fully-stocked cash bar, all in the newly- renovated Meyer Ballroom just across the street from the Paramount. -more- Paramount announces 2015-16 general season – pg 2 of 10 Following the party is the return of the Happy Together Tour at 8 p.m., with a line-up that literally brings classic radio back to life with The Grassroots, Mark Lindsay from Paul Revere & The Raiders, Chicago’s very own The Buckinghams, The Cowsills, The Association, and of course, Flo & Eddie singing that classic Turtles hit the tour is named after: Happy Together. Paramount’s 2015-16 season continues (in chronological order) with Chicago frontman and solo vocalist Peter Cetera (Sept. 4), The Duke Ellington Orchestra (September 5), Oklahoma! (Sept. 16-Oct. 18), Chicago’s own Jersey Boys Under The Streetlamp (Oct. 25), Jay Leno with special musical guest Emily West (Oct. 30), Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl (Oct. 31), Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild Live! (Nov. 1), star of A&E’s hit Paranormal State The Happy Medium – Kim Russo (Nov. 6), comedian and impersonator Frank Caliendo (Nov. 7), Peter & Paul of the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary (Nov. 8), country music hunk Josh Turner (Nov. 12), comedian and ventriloquist Terry Fator (Nov. 13), Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis (Nov. 14), A Christmas Story – The Musical (Nov. 25, 2015-Jan. 3, 2016), The Second City’s Holidazed and Confused Revue (Dec. 4-20, in Paramount’s Copley Theatre), Hairspray – The Broadway Musical (Jan. 20-Feb. 21, 2016), STOMP (Feb. 26 & 27), I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues (A Salute to Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Patsy Cline) (Feb 28), Queen cover geniuses God Save the Queen (Mar. 5), West Side Story (Mar. 16-Apr. 24) and Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show (May 21). Also back in 2015-16, Paramount’s popular $1 Classic Movie Monday series, presenting everyone’s favorite flicks in one of Chicago’s top former movie palaces for just $1, and a line-up of children’s matinees designed to entertain while they educate: The Math Maniac Show (Nov. 2), Lily’s Crossing (Feb. 25), Freedom Train (Mar. 22) and Charlotte’s Web (Apr. 27). “The return of Donny & Marie for their second consecutive summer run at Paramount is proof - these artists love performing on our beautiful stage for our enthusiastic audiences,” said Tim Rater, President and CEO of Paramount Theatre. “We host the biggest stars, best comedians, top music acts and fantastic family shows, all at an affordable price. Between the presented shows and our Broadway series, we’ll host nearly 300 performances this season for an estimated audience of more than 300,000 patrons.” Current Paramount subscribers get first dibs on tickets and the best seats during the exclusive subscriber pre-sale starting Friday, June 5 at 10 a.m., through Thursday, June 18. Paramount’s General Season goes on sale to the general public Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m. If you are not already a subscriber, you can become one today by purchasing a minimum of four shows (General Season and/or Broadway). To subscribe or to purchase single tickets, visit ParamountAurora.com, call the box office at 630-896-6666 or stop by in person at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. In addition to the lowest major musical theater subscription prices anywhere in Illinois, Broadway Series subscriber benefits have never been better. Purchase four or more shows, and you automatically reap many benefits as a season subscriber, including the best seats, free ticket exchange privileges, 10% discounts on additional shows at the Paramount, first notice of added shows and special subscriber events and exclusive access to our Broadway Series Premium Guest Experience (including pre-show hors d’oeuvres, open bar and private intermission bar service.) -more- Paramount announces 2015-16 general season – pg 3 of 10 Following are details about Paramount’s 2015-2016 season, in chronological order: Donny & Marie August 12-16 Wednesday, August 12 at 1:30 p.m.; Thursday, August 13 at 1:30 p.m.; Friday, August 14 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, August 16 at 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. No shows Saturday, August 15 Tickets: $69, $89, $99 Less than a year after their sold out run at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre, America’s favorite brother/sister duo Donny & Marie are returning for another exclusive Chicago-area engagement at the Paramount. From recording artists to television stars to Vegas headliners, Donny & Marie are the epitome of entertainment superstars. Just ask any of the thousands of people who saw them light up the Paramount last summer. Now this iconic duo is coming back, and they’re bringing the songs, the choreography and, of course, the charm. 2015-16 Season Kick-Off Party and Fundraiser Friday, August 21, 5-7 p.m. Tickets: $15 Paramount kicks off its 2015-16 season with a party that raises money for a great cause - kids. For just $15, you’ll sample phenomenal food from around the Aurora area, check out incredible silent auction prizes and enjoy a fully-stocked cash bar, all in the newly-renovated Meyer Ballroom just across the street from the Paramount. Happy Together Tour 2015 Friday, August 21, 8 p.m. Tickets: $59.50 Right after the Season Kick-Off Party, The Happy Together Tour brings classic radio back to life with live performances by legendary rockers The Grassroots, Mark Lindsay from Paul Revere & The Raiders, Chicago’s very own The Buckinghams, The Cowsills, The Association and Flo & Eddie from The Turtles. Peter Cetera Friday, September 4, 8 p.m. Tickets: $65 Chicago frontman and solo star Peter Cetera defines an entire era of American rock music. Penning and singing lead vocals on Chicago’s first No. 1 single “If You Leave Me Now,” Cetera propelled the group into the worldwide spotlight. His power ballads like “Baby, What a Big Surprise” and ”Hard to Say I’m Sorry” drove Chicago to become one of the best-selling American rock bands of all time. The Duke Ellington Orchestra Saturday, September 5, 7 p.m. Tickets: $35, $40, $45 Over the course of 50 years, the great Duke Ellington led a world-renowned jazz orchestra, wrote thousands of compositions and changed the American musical landscape forever. Even decades after his death, Duke’s Orchestra still honors his incredible legacy by performing his cool musical masterpieces for audiences around the world. -more- Paramount announces 2015-16 general season – pg 4 of 10 Oklahoma! Music by Richard Rodgers Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs Original Dances by Agnes de Mille Directed by Paramount Artistic Director Jim Corti September 16-October 18, 2015 Press opening Saturday, September 19, 8 p.m. Suggested rating: PG Tickets: $41-$56 (Buy a season subscription and the most you’ll pay is $28 per show) Oklahoma! is the show that set the standard for all musicals by incorporating music, lyrics and dance into a well-crafted, serious story. It’s also the debut collaboration of one of the most prolific writing teams in American theater history – Rodgers and Hammerstein. Set in the turn of the century Oklahoma Territory, tensions are mounting between the local farmers and cowboys over the use of land. In the midst of it all is the rugged cowboy Curly who’s fallen for the strong-headed farm girl, Laurey. Despite their fiery spirits and at times tumultuous relationship, the two are destined to start a new life together in the soon-to-be state called Oklahoma! Nominated for seven Tony Awards and winner of a Pulitzer Prize, Oklahoma! sets the standard for the 2015-16 Paramount Broadway season.