It’s a beautiful sunny day on The Fox! Still stoked over Paramount Proud in Aurora’s Pride Parade on Sunday and the huge, enthusiastic crowds, like a week of full houses at our theater! Even more! Folks of all ages, colors, genders, shapes and sizes, families, churches, neighborhoods and communities voicing unity and support for everyone’s right to be just who they want to be! I just can’t get over the spirit of everyone from such diverse backgrounds culturally, socially and politically, assuring those who are marginalized by their identities and orientations that it’s simply OK to be you! My heart raced at the sight and sound of young people and their cheers seeing our float, a jaw-dropping epic produced by our own Trent Stork, in a tribute to next season’s Broadway Series production of Kinky Boots. (He borrowed an image from the film Priscilla Queen of the Desert!). Trent took charge last year as well of Paramount’s entry into the inaugural parade and his empathy and thoughtfulness is inspiring. He hails from Urbandale, Iowa, and studied at the University of Nebraska. “I wish we had a pride parade in my hometown when I was a kid.” And I think there are many of us of various childhood struggles who care so much about protecting kids dealing with fear and intimidation. Even danger. Setting an example of loving everyone for who they are goes a long way. Simply Destinee in Aurora (simplydestinee.com) champions suicide prevention for kids through dance programs, education, and acceptance, helping young people find a safe place for themselves. It’s hard for a kid to realize they’re different. I was one of them. “Got Love”? Paramount and Aurora sure do!
Paramount’s Broadway Series Season Nine begins in just a couple of months! We had a great production meeting yesterday for Newsies, our highly coveted designers all collaborating on choreography, orchestra, sets, costumes, lights, projections, props and wigs with auditions and casting shaping up too! Beauty and the Beast directed by Amber Mak, just may be our most elaborate and magical holiday production yet for the whole family and next season’s new work, The Secret of My Success, continues in development with director Gordon Greenberg on a hilarious book (co-writing with Steve Rosen) and an irresistible pop-rock, musical theatre score by Chicago’s own Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler! Cyndi Lauper’s Tony-winning Broadway sensation, Kinky Boots, will wrap up the season directed by Trent (of course!) in our new regional premiere production complimenting this most something-for-everyone-season I think we’ve ever done! Now, if you haven’t, don’t you think it’s time you’ve subscribed? Get in on this deal: Buy Two Shows, Get Two Shows Free! Then go out and enjoy all this sunshine today!
Love and thanks,
Jim