How Paramount’s shows, including boffo ‘Million Dollar Quartet,’ help boost Aurora’s economy

Early last year, when Paramount Theatre broke ground on its Stolp Island Theater, president and CEO Tim Rater estimated the new 98-seat venue would generate more than $3.3 million annually.

He wasn’t far off. Since its July 2024 opening, Rater says Stolp’s blockbuster “Million Dollar Quartet” revival has generated about $2.5 million in ticket sales alone, not including concessions and merchandise.

A fictionalized account of an impromptu 1956 meeting between rock ‘n’ roll pioneers Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley at Sun Studios in Memphis, “Million Dollar Quartet” regularly plays to 90% to 95% capacity and has been extended to January 2026.

Over the last year, more than 35,000 people saw the show.

“That's our job,” Rater said, “to bring people downtown and expose them to the arts.”

Shows like “Million Dollar Quartet,” which recently marked its 400th performance; “True West,” currently in previews at Copley Theatre in advance of a July 23 opening; and the revival of the Tony Award-winning “Come From Away,” which begins previews Aug. 20 at the Paramount Theatre, attract locals as well as out-of-towners.

“These are people spending money at restaurants, getting ice cream,” Rater said. “All of that induced spending can benefit the economy. There’s no doubt it has an impact.”

In addition to Stolp Island, Paramount operates the more than 1,800-seat main stage, which hosts the Broadway series; the 175-seat Copley Theatre, home to the BOLD series; and RiverEdge Park, a 7,500-seat outdoor concert venue currently under renovation and expected to reopen in November. Combined, the four venues contribute a total of more than $30 million annually to Aurora's economy, according to Rater.

Jim Olson, general manager of Aurora's Two Brothers Roundhouse, knows from experience Paramount’s impact on local business.

Broadway series productions in particular generate thousands of dollars in revenue on matinee days, he said.

“When they have 1,500 to 1,800 tickets sold I know it’s going to be a good night,” he said adding that fellow restaurateurs see a bump, as well.

“Whatever RiverEdge and Paramount are doing benefits the whole area,” he said.

Paramount “is here and it's here to stay” said Cort Carlson, executive director of the Aurora Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

And its reputation is spreading as motor coach tour operators in particular have embraced the city’s theater scene.

“We’ve seen a big growth in the group (travel) market,” said Carlson. “On Wednesdays, Galena Boulevard (where the Paramount and Copley are) is back-to-back tour buses of theater groups, park district groups, senior center groups,” he said. “Other groups are coming in on evenings and weekends.”

Carlson notes that dining has improved and options have expanded since Paramount debuted its Broadway series 15 years ago, but securing a reservation on a Saturday night during theater season poses a challenge.

“People know they have to make a reservation a month in advance,” he said.

Downtown Aurora is different today than it was when the main stage opened in 2011, said Rater. Paramount — whose programming includes films, concerts, stand-up and sketch comedy, as well as theater — deserves credit for that. But as Rater is quick to point out, it’s shared credit.

“We couldn't have done this without support from the city,” he said.