Downtown Aurora’s beloved arts center presents an exhilarating fall lineup of Broadway performances sure to entice anyone. Since its inception, Paramount’s Broadway Series has blossomed into one of the largest subscription theaters in the U.S., with a current base of 36,000 subscribers.
“Our job is to bring people together when it’s most needed and have them experience the arts,” says Tim Rater, President and CEO of the Aurora Civic Center Authority, which oversees Paramount. “We’re part of a community that does a lot of artistic endeavors and we don’t see any end in sight for that. This is just the beginning.”
The 12th season of this award-winning series has already kicked off with a bang, as it presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” running now through Oct. 15. The cult-classic musical stars a flesh-eating plant and a cast of memorable characters whose songs are just as unforgettable.
Up next, the Roald Dahl classic “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” comes to the stage Nov. 8 through Jan. 14. Following the tale of Charlie Bucket, his Grandpa Joe, and a cast of spoiled-rotten children, the show takes visitors on a tour of the world’s most magical chocolate factory.
The series resumes in the new year with “Billy Elliot: The Musical” from Feb. 7 to March 24. Written by Lee Hall, with music by Elton John, the Tony Award-winning story explores the choice between personal dreams and societal expectations through the mind of 11-year-old Billy Elliot, who discovers his passion for dance during boxing lessons.
Finally, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” which runs April 24 to June 16, closes out the season with a tribute to Carole King’s iconic compositions such as “You’ve Got a Friend” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” The show traces King’s journey from a young Brooklyn songwriter to her stature as a famous singer, songwriter and musician.
For tickets and the latest information, head to paramountaurora.com.
Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Contact the box office at (630) 896-6666.