Paramount Theatre

Fabulous, beautiful old theater in downtown Aurora! The Broadway Series productions are always just great – as good as anything you’d see downtown. The staff is always friendly and helpful, from the box office to the ushers to the concessions. I would highly recommend a visit!

Went to Donnie and Marie show this afternoon. Sound was not very good, and we were sitting in the $ 99.00 seats. Show was only an hour and fifteen minutes long and maybe half was singing. Probably fifteen minutes spent promoting their current albums. All in all, very disappointed!

I got an email to let me know that the current play «Hairspray» was closing in about 7 days. I called my wife to see if she had any plans on Feb 21^st the closing day. I purchased 2 tickets online at about $ 65 a ticket. Because of the late purchase date I chose one ticket in the 7^th row and one ticket in the 8^th row right behind one another. We were looking forward to the show and arrived about 15 min early. Will call had our tickets ready and got us out of the line fast. When they walked us to our seats however they were in a completely different section that I remembered purchasing. Rows GG and HH vs Rows G and H. My wife said these are fine lets just sit down but I was unhappy with the location and the show was to be starting soon. The usher got a manager involved and explained our situation. (I wish I could remember her name) She checked and confirmed that these were in fact the seats i did purchase. I told her that I was certain a mistake was made with the ticketing. She again left and came up with 2 seats that were together that were very close to where I thought I was going to sit. She never made me feel like it was my mistake and my problem and she helped me to get a resolution that worked for me and my wife. The show was fantastic and the venue was beautiful. This was our second play there and we highly recommend it.

This is our second time here. Last year, we loved Mary Poppins! We’re here this year for «A Christmas Story.» We have balcony seats, and I think the view is pretty good! Beautiful theater

OK even if you’re not a theatergoer, the paramount in Aurora is absolutely breathtaking. It is an absolutely gorgeous theater with weight murals and beautiful beautiful seating. Now I am a theater, and I love their plays and musicals. I have not been disappointed a single time. I always choose to purchase the four plays per season for my mother as a gift. She waits for it and opened it with anticipation. They also have a VIP that starts an hour before the show. It’s basically appetizers and drinks but it’s well worth the $ 20 per person. They have a drink ready for you at intermission and they take care of your coat. Also no lines!
The other really awesome thing to see at the Paramount is a concert. I have gone there to see Poi Dog Pondering multiple times and I always leave knowing that I could’ve had the same show downtown for double the cost with problems parking. The valet is kind of a rip off. But who’s isn’t?

The talent in the Broadway Series is just as good and sometimes better than in the city! The packages for multi shows are a steal, you pick your seats and get deals for additional shows and extra seats. Also, don’t forget the $ 1 movies on Mondays!
The theater is historic and very well preserved.
Two years now I have also seen the Second City at Copley theater across the seat and was just as impressed.

We booked this venue as a last minute decison. My mother is terminally ill and I needed her to share that day with me. After searching several placed I came across the Paramount Meyer Ballroom on a limb. I sent the email without any thought. Bill Pope contacted me right away and was simply amazing from the first phone call. The team of Bill, Jennifer, and Mandy (along with staff) worked with me to ensure that I even though such short notice made the wedding of my dreams. Bill I want to thank you, not only did you give me the wedding I wanted, you gave me the memories that I will keep forever. Mandy you are amazing! It went off so seamless even with the ups and downs ;). Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for making something we didnt think was possible… well not only possible but better than we imagined. If you are considering booking with Paramount DO IT! You wont regret the amazing staff or venue.

Wonderful venue. Every seat offers a good view of the stage. The staff is quite welcoming and the box office is very accommodating.
The performances are outstanding. The orchestra is top notch, lighting and set design superb. Very reasonably priced.
I have never been disappointed.

Always have enjoyed a special evening at The Paramount. Tonight was no different. The staff is always so very friendly and courteous. Had a great time watching «Oklahoma» with friends.
Highly recommend going to Paramount for a show if you have never been there. There also great restaurants near by if you want to make it a dinner and a show.
We will be back! Thx!

OKLAHOMA currently playing. I’ve seen several productions and movie. This is the best! Amazing scenery and staging. Great cast. Wonderful music. Don’t miss it! Become a season subscriber I’ve never been disappointed. They have a premier pre play package with unlimited food and drink. Great offerings and serving staff. Pre play and intermission. Worth the extra cost. Valet parking available. A Christmas Story is next

I used to always see Off-​Broadway shows in downtown Chicago where I work and sometimes catch a show when i fly travel to New York. Then I discovered the Paramount in Aurora, it is well worth the trip and I am now not only a Broadway season ticket holder but a sponsor. Shows are on par with Chicago’s theater district, tickets are very reasonable, and the parking is much better (I recommend using their $ 20 preferred valet service to make a quick exit). The Paramount receives my highest recommendation.

The paramount theater in aurora is beautiful and filled with historic charm
The musicals have been phenomenal. I’m here at the opening of les Miserables. Previous musicals have been spectacular as well. I was here for Mary Poppins and Annie.

We just saw «Tommy» at The Paramount and everything from the show to the theater itself was first rate. The theater is a gem and has been lovingly restored in all of its 1930’s glory.
We had an issue with our tickets and the Paramount staff went out of their way to help us with our issue. I can’t say enough about how friendly and accommodating they were.

Excellent! Have seen a few shows here… most recently Jim Brickman, (Romantic Pianist) with a Groupon Purchase & Across the Street at the Copley Theater, which is a small 216 Seat Theater owned by The Paramount (In North Island Center) we saw Second City’s Holiday Dysfunctional Review. Absolutely one of the BEST Comedy Shows I have ever seen! A MUST See show only there during the Christmas Season.

I want to commend the staff at Paramount Art! The box office staff are soooo easy to do business with & most helpful, whether on phone or in person! And they are right there for you to talk to at box office in person, how unique in this day & age!!!
Also the theater staff are so kind & very accommodating! Keep up the great work!!!
Also, Mary Poppins was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!! Don’t miss it

I have been a Broadway subscriber at your theater for years and enjoy each and every play I have seen. The convenience of parking and not going into the city to see shows that are caliber to the theaters in Chicago makes this a great venue. I just have to tell you what an outstanding production Mary Poppins is. I went to the matinée today and still can’t stop thinking of it. The set was amazing as was all the little tricks. The cast, especially the major characters killed it… the singing and dancing were great. I cried at the end and when the lights came up, I saw that I was not the only one! The house went wild and gave a long standing ovation. I still have that «feel good» feeling and loved it, loved it, loved it. Well done!

Awesome experience!!!
My wife took me here to see Penn and Teller for our one year anniversary. And I was shocked at how nice everyone was.
From the people who took our tickets, to the ushers, to the people working the consession stands… They were great!
The ticket price is a tad bit pricey, but going in there it wasn’t. I got a drink refill for $ 1. Who did that now adays.
My wife is great too for knowing that I’d have an awesome time here.
I even got to meet Penn.

I always see Broadway shows in downtown Chicago and sometimes when i fly out to New York. I got a Groupon to see Cats at the Paramount. I wasn’t expecting as good a production as downtown Chicago or New York but I was very surprised. Ive never been to the Paramount and its a beautiful theatre and resonates sound very well. The theatre is very nostalgic of the old classic theatres. The production set and lighting was very well done. I never once had trouble focusing on the singers and the scenes had very nice dramatic backgrounds. Let me just say the actors and actresses had awesome voices. It was even more amazing because they were dancing and moving more than any other play I’ve seen. Not once did their voices crack or sound tired. The dancing was also well choreographed. It was an awesome play and an awesome venue. Too bad it was the last day of their tour or else i would recommend my friends to see it but I will definitely try out another play at the Paramount now that I’ve experienced this one.

As a newcomer to the Chicago area we have been taking in a lot of theater lately. The Paramount was playing rent and we had never seen it before so made the trek out to Aurora to see it.
From the moment I walked in to the lobby and then into the theater, I was impressed with the aesthetics. It had a beautiful clean renovations.
The production was quality as well and enjoyed the talent.
We parked a couple blocks away in FREE parking. Gotta love that coming from Chicago.
I also appreciated that they had a brochure that listed the restaurants nearby, but just a tip, if you go on a Sunday matinée, don’t expect a lot of options in the area.
They do rush tickets for college students with an ID. Which I don’t qualify, but it is nice they offer that to students.
I will say that I had gone to another musical a couple days before in the Bank of America theater and the bathroom experience at break was night and day there. At the BOA theater, I got to the line pretty late and figured I was spending the whole intermission there, but there was a bathroom clerk arranging the line to keep us all organized and I was out in a flash. At the paramount the line just backed further and further out the door and up the stairs, and moved REALLY slow. There was a second bathroom as well, but the line looked equally as long.

Saw Rent on March 15. Paid $ 20 to valet the car right in front of the theater. Totally worth it. Quick in/​out. Nice that you can get drinks there and they are allowed in the theater. Mature, easy-​going crowd. Good theater experience overall. Clean facilities and friendly staff. Production was amazing, easily as good as any musical I’ve seen in downtown Chicago. Fun, no-​hassle and close to home.

First time in Paramount Arts Centre for «Christmas with the Celts» concert
–Beautiful building!
–Very clean
–Very clean bathrooms with a lot of bathroom stalls (Ladies, you know you like this.)
–Bathrooms on 1^st and 2^nd floors
–Other Unilocalers are correct: Theater is big enough to accommodate a crowd for theater productions and movies but small enough that there is no bad seat in the house.
–The café offers snacks (pizza, hotdog, cookies, soda, alcoholic beverages, etc.) albeit expensive and not really good quality food (but that should be expected from a theater café).
–Coat check is available.
–Valet parking is available but we opted to park in one of the free parking lots 4 blocks away.
–Staff (ushers, café staff, and will call office staff) are super duper nice, friendly, helpful! None of the attitude one sometimes gets from downtown Chicago theaters.
This one puts this place over the rest of the theaters I’ve been to (even in downtown Chicago):
–A few days before the concert, I received an email from Ms. Audra Odzana (Audience Services Director) reminding me of my ticket purchase. I also received very detailed information about where to park for free or for a fee near the theater, and restaurants in the vicinity. I really appreciate that communication and organization. A++++++ for this!
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, PARAMOUNT ARTS CENTER STAFF!
PS: Downtown Aurora, IL is a little bit run down. Be aware of your surroundings especially if you are attending an evening event. However, we did not see beggars/​bums on the streets like we do in downtown Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. Also, there are some shady parts in Aurora so have your GPS and/​or googlemaps prepared.

Our friends have a season package to the Paramount and invited us to attend «In The Heights» last night.
The theater itself, compared with those in Chicago, was a very nice space. We arrived a little late, just as the 5 minute warning was announced, so there was not a lot of time to explore, but as others have said, it was clean and the seats were comfortable with ample leg room.
The production was wonderful, but this is not a review of the show, after all.
Our only complaints were 1., the patrons and their ever present cell phones. C’mon people, when the lights go out, the phones should already be off and not two minutes into the overture, and 2., the sound system… overly loud and shrill to the point where I could hear ensemble numbers better with my fingers in my ears and solos were muddy and almost indecipherable.
I know there will always be clueless theater goers, unfortunately, but hopefully the sound issues were just an off night on the mixing board.
My lovely wife and I have been to many shows in both on Broadway in New York and in downtown Chicago, so we were excited and pleased to see a great production literally in our back yard. We’ll be back to try again.

This is the best place in the Chicago area to see Broadway Shows, music and dance! The 1800 seats are all close enough to the stage so that there is no bad seat. The locally produced shows are top notch, and rival any big city production. I understand that actors come from all over the Midwest to be part of the shows. I have met the Artistic Director, Jim Corti, and he really has vision.
AND the best part, it is quite reasonable, $ 40 – 50 dollars per show, or get a subscription for all four shows and save half off the individual price. Park for free also, and grab a great meal at one of my faves, Two Brothers Brewery, on Broadway.
Don’t put it off any longer, this is the year for Miss Saigon and Rent, along with 42^nd Street and In The Heights. Amazing!