There will be a little taste of everything at Paramount Arts Centre in Aurora during the 1990-91 season. The just-announced schedule of events dishes out a diverse menu of cultural flavors, from Kodo Drummers to Pearl Bailey to Tony Bennett to ”A Chorus Line.”
Bennett will headline the season`s gala opener Sept. 15. Tickets to hear such classics as ”Because of You,” ”Rags to Riches” and ”I Left My Heart in San Francisco” are $30 and $25. Gala tickets, which include center seating, are $85.
October`s offerings start off on the 6th with an evening of harmony and humor, featuring the Chenille Sisters and special guests The Other Guys, a double quartet from the University of Illinois. Tickets are $11.50, or $9.50 for students.
On Oct. 13, the Chicagoland premiere of Woody Guthrie`s ”An American Story,” a theatrical production that combines Guthrie`s life with his thought-provoking ballads, will be presented by the Missouri Repertory troupe. Tickets are $19.50 and $17.50.
A concert Oct. 14 featuring Ray (”Everything Is Beautiful”) Stevens preceded by country musicians Joel Daly, the Chicago TV news anchor, and the Sundowners will please those who like their music ”down home.” Tickets are $18.50 and $16.50.
Jazz is featured throughout the season starting with the third weekend of October. Harmonious Wail, a group that performs on mandolin, mandola, guitar, bass, violin, viola and voice, will serve up a generous portion of harmonious jazz Oct. 20. While you`re in the mood, the next day Preservation Hall Jazz Band will perform its own special blend of jazz that comes straight from the soul. Tickets are $18 and $16.
After the New Year, Katherine Davis, a member of the Chicago Boogie Ensemble, will present a program of blues, jazz and boogie-woogie at ”Davis and Friends” on Feb. 9 ($12). Then Pearl Bailey will present her own style of blues and jazz, accompanied by her husband of 35 years, drummer Louie Bellson, April 6, 1991 ($27 and $25).
The beautiful Paramount Theatre will be plastic-protected-at least the stage, walls and first few rows-for two ”smashing” shows of ”Death by Melon” by the master of mess himself, Gallagher Oct. 24 and 25 ($19.50 and $17.50).
On the more serious side, November brings two most unusual shows.
”Laurence Luckinbill as LBJ” (Nov. 9, $19.50 and $17.50) is a reflection of the period of the Johnson presidency from Kennedy`s assassination through the horrors of Vietnam.
Then, on Nov. 19, Paul Winter and the Paul Winter Consort will present their ”Earthbeat” tour of melodic, earthly sounds and images, based on the album of original recordings by American and Soviet artists. Tickets are $19 and $17.
The Paramount`s ”Holiday Gift Guide” offers five very different ways to celebrate the season. The Zoppe Circus Europa, complete with animals, horses and Santa Claus, will present three shows Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 24 and 25; $15 and $13 for adults, $13 and $11 for children).
In keeping with the spirit, the Salt Creek Ballet will present two performances of the ”Nutcracker” on Dec. 1 ($14 and $12 adults, $12 and $10 children). And the 24-member Vienna Choir Boys will present the charm and excellence of music-making that have made the group famous for nearly five centuries at a Dec. 2 concert ($19.50 and $17.50).
Popular tenor Glenn Yarbrough joins the New Christy Minstrels for an evening of favorites and holiday numbers on Dec. 7 ($17 and $15), while the Nebraska Theater Caravan will present ”A Christmas Carol” Dec. 9 ($19 and $17 adults, $17 and $15 children).
The new year brings with it a smorgasbord of theatre, dance, music and variety.
Theatre lovers can choose from: The Second City Touring Company, the first-rate improvisation troupe that never gives exactly the same show twice, Jan. 19, 1991 ($12 and $10); ”T-Daniel`s Fantasmia,” a play on the imagination that blends theater, music and mime, April 13, 1991 ($12 and $10, $10 and $8 for children); and Aurora`s own improvisational comedy troupe,
”Slapstick!”, performing at the Nickelodeon Theatre, April 20, 1991
($12).
Musical theater offerings next year include the New York City Opera National Company`s new production of Mozart`s ”The Marriage of Figaro,”
under artistic director Beverly Sills, Feb. 24 ($30.50 and $28.50); ”Cats”
for five performances March 8 through 10 ($39.50 and $37.50); and the Opera Northeast production of ”South Pacific” April 7 ($24 and $22).
Combining theater, music and dance, ”A Chorus Line” will step through town, stopping for one performance on Feb. 15, 1991. Tickets are $27 and $25. More dance performances will include the magnificent and provocative Joseph Holmes Dance Theatre on Feb. 2, 1991 ($17.50 and $15.50) and the Hubbard Street Dance Company, which fuses jazz dance and classical ballet, May 18 ($11.50 and $17.50).
Other musical events include: ”Irving Berlin Century,” a tribute to Irving Berlin by Earl Rose and his orchestra, Jan. 20, 1991 ($17.50 and $15.50); Judy Collins, who just released her 22nd album, Feb. 23 ($23 and $21); ”The Big Band Jamboree,” March 16 ($18.50 and $16.50); Guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening, April 27 ($22 and $20); and the Mendelssohn String Quartet, May 11 ($13 and $11).
In a category all their own are two special variety acts for the entire family. The Chinese Golden Acrobats will return to the Paramount Feb. 16 to present the grace and precision that have been part of the Chinese culture as far back as 200 B.C. Tickets are $18 and $16. Also, the Kodo Drummers will present their ”One Earth Tour” March 2. The Kodo musician`s body is as much his instrument as the drums and other instruments he plays. Tickets are $21.50 and $19.50, $19.50 and $17.50 for children.
Several subscriptions offer discounts, bonus tickets or drink certificates. Patrons who subscribe before June 22 will be eligible for a drawing for two round-trip tickets to Australia or New Zealand.
For details, visit the Paramount Arts Centre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., in downtown Aurora. Or call 896-6666.
