PARAMOUNT THEATRE NOMINATED FOR 14 JEFF AWARDS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE LEADS 2015-16 

JEFF AWARDS  RACE WITH 14 NOMINATIONS, MORE THAN ANY OTHER CHICAGO THEATRE

Here at ChiIL Live Shows we've been hearing rumors of Paramount Theatre's high caliber productions for years. Now the Jeff Awards judges have made it official, granting the Aurora based venue more nominations for the 2015-16 season than any other theatre in the region. Here's a recap of the shows that are up for Jeff Awards this October and a look at great things to come in Paramount's 2016-17 Broadway Series.

Oh what a beautiful day it is at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora!

Chicago's Joseph Jefferson Committee just announced the 2015-16 Equity Jeff Award nominees, and the Paramount is thrilled to share that its Broadway musical series productions earned 14 nominations - more than any other Chicago theater - for outstanding performance, direction and/or design in Chicago theatre last season.

Additionally, all four of its 2015-16 Broadway Series productions - OKLAHOMA!, 

A Christmas Story - The Musical, Hairspray - The Broadway Musical and West Side Story - were nominated.

Here's the list:

West Side Story - seven nominations 

Production - Musical - Large

Director - Musical - Jim Corti

Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical - Mary Antonini (Anita)

Choreography - William Carlos Angulo

Music Direction - Tom Vendafreddo

Scenic Design - Kevin Depinet

Lighting Design - Jesse Klug

The Sharks vs. The Jets in Paramount's West Side Story

OKLAHOMA! - four nominations  

Production - Musical - Large

Actor in a Principal Role - Colte Julian (Curly)

Choreography - Katie Spelman

Music Direction - Tom Vendafreddo

 

Colte Julian as Curly and Allison Sill as Laurey in Paramount's OKLAHOMA!

Hairspray - The Broadway Musical - two nominations

Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical - E. Faye Butler (Motormouth Maybelle)

Costume Design - Large - Theresa Ham

(center trio, from left: Amelia Jo Parrish (pink dress) as Tracy Turnbald, E. Faye Bulter as Motormouth Maybelle and Landree Fleming (green dress) as Penny Pingleton in Paramount's Hairpray - The Broadway Musical

A Christmas Story - The Musical - one nomination

Music Direction - Tom Vendafreddo

Michael Harp as Ralphie in Paramount's A Christmas Story - The Musical

"We couldn't be more thrilled for this much-appreciated recognition from the 

Jeff Committee for Paramount's Broadway team and every theater artist who worked on last season's productions," said Paramount President and CEO Tim Rater. 

"We weren't joking when we launched the Broadway series five years ago with a goal of producing the very best musicals in the entire Chicago area. Judging from the Jeff Committee's response to our work for two consecutive seasons, I'm happy to say we are attaining that goal."

"I'm very grateful to the hard working Jeff Committee, Chicago theater lovers all! As always, I'm also very happy for the creative and technical teams, on stage and behind the scenes, for this recognition," said Artistic Director Jim Corti. 

Last season, Corti won the Jeff Award for Best Director/Musical (Large) for his 2015 staging of Les Misérables, which also won Best Musical - two of five top Jeff Awards from an unprecedented 16 nominations in 2014-15, the Paramount's first year of eligibility.

Mark your calendars: the 2015-16 Jeff Award winners will be announced 

October 17, 2016. 

To see the full list of nominees, visit jeffawards.org.

More about Paramount's 2016-17 Broadway Series

Looking ahead to more award-winning, Broadway caliber productions, Paramount's 2016-17 Broadway season includes Mamma Mia! (Sept. 7-Oct. 30, 2016), Disney's The Little Mermaid (Nov. 23, 2016-Jan. 8, 2017), Sweeney Todd-The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Feb. 8-Mar. 19, 2017) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Apr. 19-May 28, 2017).

Paramount anticipates more than 30,000 subscribers will take advantage of Paramount's now-familiar Buy Two, Get Two offer, or four musicals for no more than $29.50 per show.

The rewards are ample - four amazing, Broadway-quality, award-winning classic American musicals at one of the most majestic theaters in the Midwest, all for the price of one show downtown. 

To purchase subscriptions or single tickets, visit ParamountAurora.com, call 

(630) 896-6666 or visit the Paramount Theatre box office, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in the heart of downtown Aurora.

Paramount's 2016-17 Broadway Series is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, The Dunham Fund, Rush-Copley Medical Center, Gerald Kia and ComEd.

About The Paramount Theatre 

The Paramount Theatre (ParamountAurora.com) is the center for performing arts, entertainment and arts education in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois. Named "One of Chicago's Top 10 Attended Theatres" by the League of Chicago Theatres, the 1,888-seat Paramount, located in downtown Aurora at 23 E. Galena Blvd., is nationally recognized for the quality and caliber of its presentations, superb acoustics and historic beauty.   

The Paramount self-produces its own Broadway Musical Series, presents an eclectic array of comedy, music, dance and family shows, and on most Mondays, screens a classic movie.

The 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. 

For tickets and information, go to ParamountAurora.com or call 

(630) 896-6666.

Inside the historic Paramount Theatre

AMERICAN IDOL WINNER LEE DEWYZE, 80'S ALT-ROCKERS 10,000 MANIACS TO PLAY UNDER THE STARS, JULY 5 AT AURORA'S RIVEREDGE PARK

  

American Idol season nine winner and Mount Prospect's own Lee DeWyze and 80's alt-rockers 10,000 Maniacs are paired for a special double bill, Saturday, July 5 at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway in downtown Aurora, one of Chicagoland's nicest, newest outdoor concert venues.

The park opens at 6 p.m. DeWyze performs at 7 p.m. 10,000 Maniacs take the stage at
9 p.m.
Tickets are only $12. To purchase, go to RiverEdgeAurora.com, call the RiverEdge box office, (630) 896-6666, or visit RiverEdge's satellite box office, the Paramount Theatre,
23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

The RiverEdge box office is also open at the park for day-of sales from Noon until show time.   

Lee DeWyze 

There's no doubt that winning American Idol season nine in 2010 rocketed Lee DeWyze's career. Not only did DeWyze demonstrate his versatility singing "Ain't No Sunshine," "It's a Beautiful Day" and "That's Life," four years later, people are still talking about his amazing rendition of "Hallelujah."

But that's nothing compared to what happened after the Mount Prospect native got to write and record his own music, peaking with his latest CD, Frames. Frames is filled with critically-acclaimed, emotionally-charged songs including the recent Top 40 charter "Fight," which was featured on The CW's Hart of Dixie. Likewise, DeWyze wrote an original song  "Blackbird" exclusively for AMC's hit series The Walking Dead, which aired in an episode last March.

For more information, visit leedewyzeofficial.com.

Lee DeWyze "Fight" Live In-Studio

10,000 Maniacs

 

10,000 Maniacs helped define the alternative college rock sound of the 80s. With hits like "Candy Everybody Wants" and "These Are the Days," 10,000 Maniacs sold millions of records and entertained millions more touring the world. 

Over 30 years from when they first took the stage, 10,000 Maniacs is still packing live shows that leave audiences buzzing. Violinist/vocalist Mary Ramsey, wife of 10,000 Maniac's original co-founder John Lombardo, is the new front woman for the band. Their latest folk-alt-rock album "Music from the Motion Picture" was released in February 2013. 

For more information, visit maniacs.com.

10,000 Maniacs "These Are Days"

  

About RiverEdge Park

 Chicago and Chicago's western suburbs have a beautiful, new outdoor concert venue to enjoy after last summer's grand opening of the new RiverEdge Park in downtown Aurora - Illinois' second largest city.   

In addition to Lee DeWyze and 10,000 Maniacs, national acts playing RiverEdge this summer include 18^th Annual Blues on the Fox headliners Jimmie Vaughan, Los Lonely Boys and Taj Mahal (June 27 & 28), Under the Sun Tour with Sugar Ray, Blues Traveler and Uncle Kracker (July 6), Lady Antebellum (August 7), Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland (August 29) and one more major concert TBA (August 10; announcement and ticket-on sale date is June 22).

Community festivals also will attract all ages to downtown Aurora including the ColorVibe 5K Race (June 15), Aurora's Fourth of July Celebration, the Aurora Puerto Rican Heritage Festival (July 26 & 27) and the Fox Valley Irish Festival (August 2).   

RiverEdge Park is inspired by outdoor entertainment facilities in Chicago's Millennium Park and Northerly Island, and Milwaukee's Summerfest. Anchored by the striking John C. Dunham performance pavilion, RiverEdge features 30 acres of beautiful riverfront grounds, state-of-the-art acoustics and lighting, and a full array of concessions. RiverEdge has a capacity of 8,500.

Anyone who has been knows RiverEdge is clean, staffed with friendly people, and is easy to get to. RiverEdge Park is accessible via Metra's Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) line. Paid public parking is available in the Metra lot, additional private lots surrounding the park and in downtown Aurora just a few blocks from RiverEdge.

All events at RiverEdge are general admission. There will be limited bench seating on and event-by-event basis at RiverEdge in 2014. Guests are encouraged to bring folding bag chairs (shoulder height) or blankets. Some shows like Lady Antebellum and Jennifer Nettles will have standing room only in front of the stage with a designated area for chairs or blankets behind the sound tower. Visit RiverEdgeAurora.com for specifics about each performance.

Food and drink are available for purchase inside RiverEdge Park. No outside food or drink (except sealed water bottles) are allowed in the park. RiverEdge concessions offer a diversified menu from official food vendor Two Brothers Roundhouse, along with a bar featuring domestic and craft beers, wine, sodas, bottled water and more. A busy row of festival food vendors also set up tents to sell everything from hot dogs to funnel cakes. 

Events take place at RiverEdge rain or shine, unless conditions endanger the safety of artists and the public. Concertgoers are advised to call the RiverEdge Park Weather Line, (630) 723-2480, to check status if inclement weather is pending.

 The 2014 RiverEdge Season is sponsored by The Dunham Fund, City of Aurora and Paramount Arts Center Endowment (PACE).

 RiverEdge Park is managed and programmed by the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA), which also oversees operations for Aurora's historic Paramount Theatre. Under the guidance of President and CEO Tim Rater, ACCA has a proven track record of attracting audiences to downtown Aurora, with first-year attendance at RiverEdge estimated at 100,000, and annual attendance at the Paramount Theatre having grown from 55,000 in 2010, to more than 250,000 for the recent 2013-2014 season.

For more information, visit RiverEdgeAurora.com or call the RiverEdge box office, (630) 896-6666.   

New Concert Venue RiverEdge Park Music Garden To Open This Summer In Downtown Aurora

Chicago and Chicago's western suburbs can add a beautiful, new outdoor concert venue to its short list of hot summer destinations with the grand opening of the RiverEdge Park Music Garden in downtown Aurora --  Illinois' second largest city -- later this spring.  

Inspired by outdoor entertainment facilities in Chicago's Millennium Park and Northerly Island, and Milwaukee's Summerfest, the RiverEdge Music Garden is conveniently located at 360 North Broadway, just steps from Aurora's downtown business district, directly across from the Metra station, and on the east bank of the beautiful Fox River.     

The RiverEdge Park Music Garden, the first phase of Aurora's impressive RiverEdge Park redevelopment project, will serve as an exciting, dynamic new entertainment destination for Chicago and its western suburbs. The new live outdoor entertainment venue is anchored by the contemporary John C. Dunham performance pavilion, which boasts state-of-the-art acoustics, flexible seating allowing up to 2,500 seats in front of the stage, general admission for 6,000-8,000, plus a rooftop deck that hosts 300 VIPs -- total capacity is approximately 8,500-10,500. Rooftop guests enjoy an amazing view of the stage, private restrooms, food and beverages along with a fantastic experience for their all-inclusive ticket price.  

  

According to Aurora Mayor Thomas Weisner, "The opening of RiverEdge Park Music Garden ushers in a new and exciting era of culture, music and celebration for Aurora that will be enjoyed by families across the entire Chicago region. This world-class facility is destined to become a source of community pride, and will serve as an economic catalyst for the future growth of downtown Aurora for years."   

From June 3 through 9, RiverEdge will hold its All Access Week events which include the "Meet-N-Greet" public tours June 3-6; The Mayor's "Front Row Preview Party"and Ribbon Cutting on June 7; and the Backstage Pass public tours on June 8 and 9.  More on All Access Week to come.

RiverEdge will officially open on June 14 and 15 as the new site for Aurora's popular 17^th Annual Blues on the Fox festival sponsored by Rush-Copley Medical Center.  The entire 2013 RiverEdge Season is sponsored by The Dunham Fund. RiverEdge will also host Aurora's Downtown Alive! festival series,along with other festivals and an expanded and diverse line-up of concerts, family-friendly events and athletic competitions.     

The initial schedule, with more acts TBA, is: 

June 14 and 15  
Blues on the Fox, featuring Dr. John, JJ Grey & Mofro, The Stone Foxes, Tommy Castro and The Painkillers, Robert Randolph and The Family Band and more TBA 

June 16   Amped Up Adventure Race 

June 28
97Nine and American English 

June 29
Loretta Lynn and Randy Travis

July 4
Bruce in the USA and Fox Valley Orchestra with post-concert Fireworks 

July 6
Color Vibe 5K Race 

July 13
Trace Adkins, Aaron Lewis, Drake White and Blackberry Smoke 

August 9
Sing-a-long-a Grease Movie in the Park 

August 10

Sail Rock featuring  Christopher Cross, Orleans, Gary Wright, Firefall, John Ford Coley, Robbie Dupree and Player

August 16

Peter Frampton's Guitar Circus with Peter Frampton, Sonny Landreth andB.B. King

August 17

The Pink Floyd Experience  

August 30

Get the Led Out - The American Led Zeppelin    

"As you can see, there's something for every live music fan throughout Chicagoland and we are not done programming yet.  In fact, we have a couple of major concert announcements coming within the next few weeks," said Tim Rater, President and CEO of the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA). "Our goal is to offer a strong combination of national headliners, local performing arts productions, and stage a wide variety of exciting special events all aimed at boosting Aurora's profile as a growing and vibrant destination for live entertainment."    

Two Brothers Roundhouse, the popular restaurant and brewpub located directly across the street from RiverEdge Park is the official food vendor. In addition, Two Brothers will host three outdoor concerts at RiverEdge on July 20, August 24 and September 21. Concessions at RiverEdge will offer a diversified menu along with a bar featuring Two Brothers' craft beers, Anheuser-Bush products, wine, sodas, bottled water and more. 

The RiverEdge website, RiverEdgeAurora.com, launches today, Monday, April 15. Tickets to country music superstars Loretta Lynn and Randy Travis go on sale Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m. Tickets to all performances go on sale Monday, April 22 at 10 a.m. Tickets can also be purchased via phone by calling 630.896.6666, or in person at RiverEdge's satellite box office, the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Boulevard in downtown Aurora.  Once open, RiverEdge will also operate a full-service box office on-site on concert and event days.  

RiverEdge is just the first phase of the City of Aurora's larger, 30-acre RiverEdge Park redevelopment project, which is the centerpiece of a 10-year master plan for the city. When completed, the new regional festival park will feature wetland and urban wildlife areas, expanded public park space with direct access to the Fox River, a pedestrian bridge connecting both sides of the river, bike paths, fountains, a children's playground and other public amenities. In keeping with its natural setting, RiverEdge Park will serve as a model of cutting edge and innovative sustainable environmental practices including products, programs and technology. For more information about RiverEdge Park, visit   http://www.aurora-il.org/riveredge_park/index.php.

The RiverEdge Park design team is led by Christopher Burke Engineering Ltd. (Project Manager and Engineering), and included Muller & Muller Ltd. (Architects), Wills, Burke, Kelsey Ltd. (Wetland Design), Schuler Shook (Theater and Lighting Design), and Talaske Sound Thinking (Sound Engineering).

The RiverEdge Park project was constructed by the City of Aurora through a combination of grants and donations from the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Fox Valley Park District and The Dunham Fund.

The construction of RiverEdge Park Music Garden was overseen by the Construction Management team of R.C. Wegman Construction Company and Wills, Burke, Kelsey Ltd.

which created over 300 construction jobs with over 58% of the work going to local contractors, nearly 10% going to minority owned businesses and 5.5% going to women owned businesses. 

   

RiverEdge is managed and programmed by the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA), which also oversees operations for Aurora's historic Paramount Theatre.  ACCA has a proven track record of attracting audiences to downtown Aurora, with annual attendance at the Paramount Theatre having grown from 55,000 in 2010, to more than 200,000 for the current 2012-2013 season.