10,000th Paramount Theatre subscriber wins big

Theater aficionados' interests were piqued when Aurora's Paramount Theatre announced its first Broadway Subscription Series last March. In fact, the very first person to purchase a Broadway subscription was Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner.

Months later, the Paramount has announced it has reached its initial sales goal with its 10,000th subscriber — Mark Heiss of Sugar Grove.

To commemorate the milestone, Paramount presented Heiss with a prize package that included a $500 gift certificate that can be used toward purchasing 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.

Other prizes included gift certificates for four complimentary preshow dinners at the Paramount's partner restaurants; complimentary VIP valet parking for each of the four shows, plus vouchers for a free preshow beverage or cocktail; behind-the-scenes access, including the opportunity to enjoy the final dress rehearsal of each of the four Broadway series productions; and a gift basket stuffed with Paramount merchandise.

“My family and I have a longtime association with the Paramount and a lot of memories there,” Heiss said. “We were excited to support the new Broadway series by buying our tickets, and now I am especially thrilled to be the 10,000th subscriber.”

“All of us at Paramount extend our congratulations to Mark and a thank you to all of the subscribers to our new Broadway series,” said Tim Rater, executive director of the Paramount Theatre.

“The response we have received since announcing our subscriptions has been incredible, and we look forward to continuing to build that momentum right up through the launch of the series in September with ‘My Fair Lady.'”

Starting this fall, the Paramount is joining the ranks of Chicago's top equity houses by self-producing and presenting a four-show Broadway series, beginning with “My Fair Lady” (Sept. 14 to Oct. 2), followed by “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (Nov. 2-20), “A Chorus Line” (Jan. 18 to Feb. 5) and “Hair” (March 14 to April 1).

Each show will be steeped in costuming, extravagant sets and elegant choreography; feature top professional actors, directors and designers from Chicago and around the U.S.; and a full, live orchestration with the debut of the new Paramount Theatre Orchestra.

Moving forward, a small fee earmarked for the Paramount's Historic Preservation Fund will be added to the cost of each subscription

To subscribe to the Paramount's Broadway Series, visit ParamountAurora.com (click on the “2011-12 Broadway Series-Subscribe Now” red icon to get started); call the box office at (630) 896-6666; or stop by the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., in downtown Aurora from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.