Paramount Theatre Nears 10,000 Subscribers for Broadway Musical Series

Who says theater subscriptions are a thing of the past?

Case in point: Aurora's Paramount Theatre, which confirmed today it has already signed up 9,400 subscribers since announcing its first-ever Broadway Subscription Series last March.

Starting this fall, the Paramount is joining the ranks of Chicago's top Equity houses by self-producing and presenting a spectacular, four-show Broadway series including My Fair Lady (September 14-October 2, 2011), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (November 2-November 20, 2011), A Chorus Line (January 18-February 5, 2012) and Hair (March 14-April 2, 2012). Each will be steeped in sumptuous costuming, extravagant sets and elegant choreography, feature top professional actors, directors and designers from Chicago and around the U.S., and boast full, live orchestration with the debut of the new Paramount Theatre Orchestra.

Four-play subscriptions went on sale on March 18th, with a special Buy Two Shows, Get Two Shows Free introductory offer extended to the first 10,000 buyers. With packages starting as low as $70, literally thousands of people have wasted no time signing up to enjoy four incredible musicals at the Paramount for the price of just one show downtown.

When it reaches its initial sales goal, which should occur within the next few weeks, Paramount officials plan to celebrate by surprising the theater's 10,000th subscriber with an incredible prize package, including:

A $500 gift certificate that can be used for additional Broadway series tickets for friends and family, or to any of the dozens of other music, comedy, dance or children's presentations on tap at the Paramount in 2011-2012
Gift certificates for four complimentary pre-show dinners at the Paramount's partner restaurants

Complimentary VIP valet parking for each of the four shows, plus vouchers for a free pre-show beverage or cocktail

Behind-the-scenes access, including the opportunity to enjoy the final dress rehearsal of each of the four Broadway series productions

A gift basket stuffed with Paramount merchandise

"We knew there would be strong interest in our new Broadway series, but we didn't expect to have this kind of response in such a short time," commented Tim Rater, Executive Director, Paramount Theatre. "Still, we want to meet continued demand and keep the momentum building right up to the launch of the series with My Fair Lady this September, so we are extending the Buy Two, Get Two Free offer, albeit with a slight twist."

Starting with the 10,001st subscriber, a small fee earmarked for the Paramount's Historic Preservation Fund will be added to the cost of each subscription, as follows:

Subscribers Historic Preservation Fee
10,001-11,000 $1
11,001-12,000 $2
12,001-13,000 $3
13,001-14,000 $4
14,001-15,000 $5
And so on...

To have the chance to be the Paramount's lucky 10,000th Broadway subscriber, and to take advantage of the Buy Two, Get Two Shows Free offer, subscribe online at ParamountAurora.com (click on the "2011-12 Broadway Series-Subscribe Now" red icon to get started), call the Paramount box office, 630.896.6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Boulevard in downtown Aurora, Tues. - Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Note: Discounted subscription packages are also available to the balance of the Paramount's 2011-2012 season, including music, dance, comedy and children's programs. However, this 10,000th subscriber award promotion is restricted to the four-show Broadway Series subscriptions only.

About The Paramount Theatre

The Paramount Theatre, celebrating its 80th season in 2011-2012, is the center for performing arts, entertainment and arts education in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois. Named "One of Chicago's Top Ten Theatres" by the League of Chicago Theatres, the 1,888-seat Paramount Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Aurora at 23 E. Galena Boulevard, attracts an annual audience of more than 150,000, and is nationally renowned for the quality and caliber of its presentations, superb acoustics and historic beauty.

Earlier this spring, the Paramount Theatre turned heads by announcing it would self-produce its first-ever Broadway at the Paramount series in 2011-12, presenting three-week runs of the popular musicals My Fair Lady, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, A Chorus Line and Hair, each featuring Chicago's top professional directors, actors and designers. The Paramount's new Broadway series, which marks a radical shift in programming for the theater, is being overseen by Jim Corti, the celebrated Chicago director, choreographer and Broadway actor and the Paramount's first-ever Artistic Director in its 80-year history.

According to Corti, "The Paramount is your new home for Broadway classics crafted by innovative design, inventive staging and fresh ideas. Don't miss the chance to be swept away in the lavish set of My Fair Lady, to be mesmerized by Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, to witness the intense drama of A Chorus Line or to rock out to Hair. Trust me, you will not be disappointed."

In addition, the Paramount is packing even more top drawer entertainment into the theater's 80th anniversary schedule, including The Bacon Brothers, the percussive explosion Blast!, the ballroom dance extravaganza Burn the Floor, the fiery magic of Celtic Fire, comedians Frank Caliendo, Bill Engvall, country legend Josh Turner, renowned songstress Mary Chapin Carpenter, Judy Garland's daughter Lorna Luft, rock and roll legends Huey Lewis and the News, Los Lobos, Cyndi Lauper with Dr. John, the popular Chicago band Poi Dog
Pondering, amazing rock tribute concerts the Happy Together Tour, The Pink Floyd Experience and Almost Elton John and The Rocket Band, new "popera" phenoms Il Voce, family-friendly shows like illusionist Mike Super, The Flying Karamazov Brothers, The Von Trapp Children, and Frank Ferante in An Evening with Groucho, two New Year's Eve performances of Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show, the side-splitting comedy Southern Fried Chicks, the nostalgic musical Route 66, and the return of Classic Movie Mondays.

The Paramount Theatre continues to expand its artistic and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Executive Director Tim Rater, Artistic Director Jim Corti, a dedicated Board of Trustees and a devoted staff of live theater professionals. For more information and a complete performance schedule, visit www.paramountaurora.com.

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