THE MUSIC MAN Opens 1/16 at Aurora's Paramount Theatre

It's a busy week for traveling salesman Harold Hill. He has to convince the residents of River City he's an expert musician, convince the Mayor of River City to put him in charge of starting a children's marching band, convince the parents to buy uniforms and musical instruments from him, then get out of town with everyone's money before "there's trouble...right here in River City!"

However, even Harold's best laid plans encounter a few hurdles, including the warmth of the town librarian, the needs of a painfully shy boy and a community that desperately wants to believe in him. Before he knows it, Harold is changing everyone's lives and is leading the big parade, right down the aisles of the historic Paramount Theatre in suburban Chicago's own River City, downtown Aurora, Illinois.

So pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little, then buy your cheap, cheap, cheap tickets - only $34.90 to $46.90 - to The Music Man, the next beloved American musical in the Paramount's Broadway Series, Jan. 16-Feb. 3, 2013. Director Rachel Rockwell ("Best Director," Chicago Magazine) comes right off her smash hit Annie to helm her second consecutive Paramount musical, this time with music director Michael Mahler leading the Paramount Theatre Orchestra, and a stellar cast lead by A-list Chicago actors Stef Tovar as Harold Hill - the role made famous by Robert Preston, and Emily Rohm as Marian Paroo. Tovar appears directly from his New York off Broadway triumph in A Twist of Water, and Rohm is fresh off her starring role as Grace Farrell in Paramount's recent blockbuster Annie.

Performances begin Jan. 16, 2013 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora, Illinois. Press opening is Friday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. Performances run through Feb. 3: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Go to ParamountAurora.com for tickets and information, call (630) 896-6666, or visit the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 2 hours prior to evening performances. Note: The Music Man is rated G.