Group tours will experience a Broadway-caliber production at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois, just an hour and a half west of downtown Chicago. The Paramount is a well-kept secret for spectacular song, dance and musical entertainment.

The Paramount Theatre has been entertaining theater-goers for over 88 years. Built in 1931, the 1,800-seat historic theater in downtown Aurora originally screened motion pictures. Visitors flocked to the air-conditioned building, the first building to have this luxury outside of Chicago, to escape the summer heat. The theater also hosted concerts, circus performances and sing-alongs.

Performance at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois
The Producers, The Paramount Theatre, Aurora, Ill.
Credit: The Paramount Theatre

Today, The Paramount Theatre self-produces four Broadway shows each season, including big-name classics like Kinky Boots and The Wizard of Oz, and smaller, original productions like August Rush. In between main performances, visitors can buy tickets to enjoy performances by bands, comedians and a variety of entertainers.

“The Paramount Theatre provides big production value for a more affordable and intimate experience,” said Joel Friend, director of sales. “Everything we do at the Paramount is produced here in Aurora — costumes, sets, casting, orchestra, you name it.”

Guests can reminisce about past-times in the venue as they wait for the burgundy stage curtains to part. Eight intricate, hand-painted murals and towering fluted stage columns frame the main seating area and stage. Whether sitting on the balcony or front-row and center-stage, there’s not a bad seat in the house.

“We love working with tour operators to provide flexibility and options for groups of any size,” Friend said. “Our on-site facilities allow groups to eat a lunch or dinner before or after the show, motorcoaches can get picked up and dropped off right in front of the theater, and we also allow planners to book tickets as they receive sign-ups.”

For group ticket pricing, tours and custom visits, planners must call the group sales team at least two weeks in advance of their visit.

For more information on The Paramount Theatre call 630-723-2461 or go to paramountaurora.com.

Article by Erica Zazo