January 2nd, 2018! Just look at that! We’re in our seventh year, folks! A big, bright sun rises over the Fox River as the deep freeze persists wafting a hazy veil of icy fog off the water. The colors of dawn, prismatic on the horizon, stir optimism as plans progress for Paramount’s Broadway Series, the new school and arts center, new works development and the RiverEdge Park Job Fair this week.
Tomorrow morning, the production team for Once meets, this time to finalize the drawings for the set designed by Jeff Kmiec (Elf, Sweeney Todd, The Little Mermaid). As simple as it may seem to create an Irish bar scenically as a theatrical device, Jeff is bringing to the table a breathtaking and beautiful work. Provided a miniature model of the set, we have been planning minimal staging elements with dynamic lighting for the action of the play. The look is all-new, Paramount-sized, a fresh, original take on this laugh-filled, contemporary song-writing musicians’ narrative that will treat our audience to the scorching, emotionally no holds-barred songs that scored the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical.
And holy smokes! Cabaret rehearsals begin next week! Recall our Oklahoma! and the stunning dances choreographed by Katie Spelman? Ms. Spelman returns to make her directing debut with the great Kander & Ebb’s legendary spectacular – provocative, risque, at once euphoric and fatalistic.
With scenic designer Scott Davis (Oklahoma!), the underground nightclub world is given a piercing, penetrating perspective that betrays none of the exquisite, gorgeous collision ending the roaring twenties in pre-Nazi Berlin.
The start of the new year and next production brings us to the end of Paramount’s holiday extravaganza, Elf the Musical this Sunday the 7th!
The record-breaking crowds (I’m gonna guess some 85,000 patrons) are the largest so far in Paramount’s history.
I had family here New Year’s Eve, cousins with a 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, and they loved it and had so many questions! It made my head spin just how smart they are and picked up on everything! Kids coming to the theatre and having an experience they will never forget is what I live for. Director/choreographer Amber Mak and her sterling cast starring Samantha Pauly as “Jovie” and Kyle Adams as “Buddy” with the grandest triple threat ensemble of talent you can imagine are back onstage starting tomorrow for their final week.
If you haven’t seen them yet, just do it! While you’re at it, you can still get a remarkably affordable 3-show subscription for the remaining Broadway Series shows this season! We’re here for you!
Best wishes for a healthy and blessed 2018!
Love & thanks,
Jim