Good morning, everybody! Thank you, Joseph Jefferson Awards committee! At the Jeff Awards last night, Paramount brought home 8 trophies.
AND THE WINNERS ARE…
THE LITTLE MERMAID
Scenic Design — Large — Jeffrey D. Kmiec
Costume Design — Large — Theresa Ham
Puppet Design — Jesse Mooney-Bullock
SWEENEY TODD
Production — Musical — Large
Director — Musical or Revue — Jim Corti
Principal Actor — Musical — Paul-Jordan Jansen (Sweeney Todd)
Lighting Design — Large — Nick Belley and Jesse Klug
Music Direction — Tom Vendafreddo
We’ve been eligible for these awards for only 3 years and have copped best production all 3 years in a row with Les Misérables, West Side Story and now our Sweeney Todd. With only one minute allowed to speak when accepting, I fumbled thanking so many deserving to be recognized for this achievement. Paramount’s wonderful production team is helmed by VP of Production Rose Quealy with Jonathan Allsup, Yesenia Esparza and Kaylee Oost. Our incredible construction crew head and scene shop Broadway Technical Director Jason Pikscher and his mighty builders and scenic painters. Our most excellent VP of Programming & Sales Jim Jarvis with Marketing Director Jamie Gronwick and their team…more teams in Front of House lead by Jeremy Gehman and our backstage union crew Technical Director Lou Ann Cates…the box office staff and so many more departments, staffs, crews and collaborators!
Here’s the take-away for me this morning as all of us are celebrating congratulations and goodwill. It is incredibly moving and motivating. Our company is all about people for people. My hope is that those in our community who haven’t walked through the doors of our lobby in the Grand Gallery and beyond into our majestic theatre will look at this success as their success.
We are here for everyone of all kinds, all neighborhoods, all ages and color, ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between! We are here for you, dear reader, whomever you may be.
So many among us have yet to attend live musical theatre, and I encourage and urge you to enter into this world for which you will thank yourself! Your first time will not be your last. Paramount’s President & CEO Tim Rater is dedicated to making your visit with us affordable and of the highest caliber of production possible. This 86-years-old Art Deco palace, affectionately and meticulously maintained and operated, has never enjoyed the honor of having productions designed locally “in-house” until the Broadway Series began drawing from the many talents and skills of professional Chicago musical theatre practitioners and orchestral musicians only seven years ago. Never feel this place is not for you. It is all for you, created and built right here in Aurora!
Love & thanks,
Jim
Subscribe Today