The Paramount Theatre’s current production of “A Chorus Line” will run through Feb. 5.  Photo provided by Paramount Theatre.

One singular sensation.
That sums up the first-ever, self-produced Broadway subscription series thus far at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre, where smash hit productions of My Fair Lady and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat have absolutely wowed critics and audiences alike.
Now musical theater fans can look forward to another singular sensation in downtown Aurora when the curtain rises on A Chorus Line, the Paramount’s third production in its inaugural, 2011-2012 Broadway musical series.

Winner of nine Tony Awards plus the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, A Chorus Line introduces 17 dancers all competing for a coveted spot on the line. Get ready for intense drama, big dance numbers, emotionally charged vocals, laughter, pathos, and of course, that fantastic, familiar music by famed composer Marvin Hamlisch.
Spurring more anticipation is Paramount has tapped director/choreographer and former dancer Mitzi Hamilton to direct and choreograph A Chorus Line. Hamilton provided the inspiration for the character of Val in the original Michael Bennett production of A Chorus Line, and she performed the role in the original London company and on Broadway.
A Chorus Line runs Jan. 18 through Feb. 5 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena in downtown Aurora. Performance times are Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Press opening is Friday, January 20 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $34.90-$46.90. For tickets and information, go to ParamountAurora.com, call the Paramount box office, (630) 896-6666, or visit the box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 2 hours prior to evening performances.
Exhilarating. No other word more aptly describes A Chorus Line, where 17 dancers yearn for a coveted spot in the chorus of a big Broadway musical.
One of the longest running American musicals ever, this smash hit features beloved songs like What I Did For Love, I Hope I Get It, Dance, 10, Looks, 3 (aka “The T&A Song”) and the blockbuster Broadway finale One.
Mitzi Hamilton (director/choreographer) is best known for her association with Michael Bennett’s legendary A Chorus Line. Subsequently, she went on to direct and choreograph over 35 productions of A Chorus Line in Europe, the United States and Asia.
The New York Times praised her 1998 production at Downtown Cabaret Theater “lovely to behold… (her) company preserves the universal truth of stories that relate to all theater lovers.” She directed and choreographed A Chorus Line in Poland, at the Capitol Teatr in Wroclaw.
Next summer, she will direct a production in Vienna, Austria. Hamilton’s performance career includes eight classic Broadway shows, including Cabaret and Pippin.
She was featured in the original casts of Applause, Seesaw, On The Town (Revival), and King of Hearts. Regional theatre credits include Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and the title role in Sweet Charity. In addition to Bennett, she has worked with such legends as Hal Prince, Ron Field and Bob Fosse.
Hamilton’s directing credits include Damn Yankees, Jesus Christ Superstar, I Do, I Do, Stepping Out, Swingtime Canteen, The Boyfriend, Gypsy, Grease, Sweet Charity, Sound of Music, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Evita, 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cats, Curtains, Cabaret, La Cage Aux Folles, West Side Story and Bob Fosse’s Chicago.
In Chicago, her home town, Mitzi choreographed Sweet Charity at the Drury Lane Oakbrook with Jim Corti directing. She won the Jeff Award for Best Choreography 2008. She also co-directed and choreographed A Chorus Line with Gary Griffin at Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre several years ago, and directed A Chorus Line and Ain’t Misbehavin at Northwestern University.

‘Hair’ up next— The dawning of Aquarius will soon arrive at the Paramount! Reunite with the ecstasy and radicalism of the sixties in this Tony Award-winning, full-tilt production of Hair. A modern musical evangelist that clearly favors the anti-establishment, Hair highlights many of the same issues our youth wrestle with today. As its electrifying music collides with themes of love and war, drugs, environmentalism, racism and sex, Hair is the antithesis of almost all other Broadway musicals. Some of the most memorable songs ever written for stage are here, including Aquarius, Easy to be Hard, Good Morning Starshine and the unmistakable title song, Hair.
Director Rachel Rockwell, named “Chicago’s Best Director” of 2010 by Chicago Magazine, has staged award-winning plays and musicals for Drury Lane Oakbrook, Marriott Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Drury Lane Water Tower Place, TimeLine Theatre and Noble Fool.
Hair is rated “R” for adult language and content. Parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20-second scene with nudity.