On site for EPA auditions at the Equity Office Downtown Chicago for Paramount’s Kinky Boots directed by Trent Stork. I’m typing between appointments this morning and right from the start the talent is about to blast-out the windows onto Randolph Street! (We’ve heard “I Need a Hero” twice already!) Yes, Chicago!
Per usual, we have a full staff behind the table: the show’s Co-Choreographers, making their Paramount debut, Isaiah Silvia-Chandley and Michael Samarie George, and returning as Music Director Kory Danielson (The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, Million Dollar Quartet), and Interim Company Manager Jennette Nohl with accompanist extraordinaire Kevin Reeks at the piano. Trent, Paramount’s Casting Director for the last five years now, made his directorial debut opening this season with his all-new, eye-popping spectacular Legally Blonde. (And btw, he’s been my Associate Director on every Paramount production I’ve directed here since Miss Saigon.) I take great pride in this team and the room we make together for our actors to gift us with their singing today. The artists, representing a full spectrum of diversity, have a fun, warm, welcoming and safe room among my colleagues. Tomorrow is the ECC Dance Call and I cannot wait to see what Isaiah and Michael have cooked up for everyone coming in! Should be quite a turn-out!
And here’s Trent’s Facebook post on the Aurora Pride Parade in two weeks, June 9:
The Aurora Pride Parade is back on this year and in true Paramount fashion we’re going bigger and better. Paying homage to Priscilla Queen of the Desert with a Kinky Boots twist, I’m looking for participants who want to come in full drag (any form) and ride on our amazing float (designed by the incomparable Jeff Kmiec)! If you come in drag you can ride on the float or if you want to march beside it with the Paramount fam, all are welcome! If you’re interested in spreading love and pride on SUNDAY, JUNE 9, please email me at trents@paramountarts.com! I’d need you in Aurora by 11, parade starts at noon, we’ll be done at 1 and we’re having a party at Ballydoyle after!!
Hope to see you there!
And, dear reader, this is the closing week of Paramount’s very first World Premiere Musical, August Rush! Sunday, the curtain comes down on this magnificent cast of actor-musicians, and they are going to be so missed! Such good, sweet souls as they are brilliantly talented (the nicest people you could ever meet), it has been out honor to have them here in Aurora as our guests! If you haven’t seen them, their final eight performances begin with tomorrow’s matinee, and I urge you not to miss their superb playing of composer Mark Mancina’s new music under Tony-winner John Doyle’s direction!
Love and thanks,
Jim
