Paramount Theatre subscribers top 30,000
Paramount Theatre in Aurora announced Friday that its subscribers have passed 30,000.
The announcement caps off a banner year during which the theater earned a total of five equity Joseph Jefferson Awards - more than any other suburban theater - in its first year of eligibility.
Five years ago, when the theater debuted its acclaimed Broadway series, Paramount president and chief executive officer Tim Rater mapped out subscriber projections for seven years.
The first year, he projected 12,818 subscribers; the theater had 12,500. This year, Rater projected 30,818 subscribers.
"We just hit 30,000," he said of subscriptions, which account for about half Paramount's revenue. "We're right on track. Our goal is to continue to grow."
At the same time, Rater says he is determined to keep ticket prices affordable. The top ticket price for Paramount's Broadway series is $56. But season subscribers receive two shows free with the purchase of two shows, which means subscribers pay only $28 per ticket, Rater said.
Marriott Theatre officials report the Lincolnshire theater's subscriber base is approaching 40,000. The Daily Herald was unable to reach representatives from Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace.