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Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Paramount cuts should be a call to BOLD community action
No question the letter sent to Paramount Theatre subscribers on Monday was met with both surprise and disappointment. After years of momentum, news that the BOLD Series was being cancelled due to a potential significant slash in previously discussed funding from the city of Aurora also resulted in a significant amount of frustration and even anger. But can these intense emotions morph into a movement to convince newly-elected Mayor John Laesch and the City Council that slashing the budget of downtown Aurora's undisputed economic engine would be both 'short-sighted' and 'bone-headed.' Those are just a few of the descriptions I've read and heard in person about the administration possibly reducing the Paramount's previously discussed city grant for 2026 from $7 million to around $2.5 million; in essence, cutting down programs from 900 to 700, which has already led to staff layoffs, and would likely mean a reduction in other theater programming and to the Paramount School of the Arts. Like so many others in the city, Christensen, the city's poet laureate emerita and founding member of Fox Valley Music Foundation. has much invested in the arts in this community. And in her 13-year career with the city itself, first as downtown development director and then as neighborhood redevelopment manager, she's also witnessed the Paramount's significant impact on a once beleaguered downtown. 'Regardless of the time of day or day of the week that I find myself in downtown Aurora, the positive vibe is real,' she wrote, adding that she hears a similar sentiment from 'everyone who visits downtown Aurora, whether they are coming from Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Yorkville, Oswego, North Aurora, Naperville, or even the U.K., where my daughter lives.' 'We have seen cycles up and down, but we are clearly on the upswing now,' she insisted. 'I strenuously hope that our elected officials don't cut the ropes, pull the rug out from under us …' There's no question the mayor – no theater fan by his own admission – is in a tight spot. He's publicly praised the Paramount as an 'important crown jewel' in Aurora but does so while painting a dire – and some have said exaggerated – picture of the municipal budget deficit. And he insists the city is giving the Aurora Civic Center Authority, which oversees the Paramount venues, far too much money, that it needs to do a better job of managing its funding and that its leaders must become more creative, more aggressive in fundraising efforts. Among suggestions from the city: raise ticket prices for its venues, which include Paramount, Copley and Stolp Island theaters, as well as RiverEdge Park. But Paramount leaders have held on to their belief the arts must be kept as affordable as possible, a philosophy that was referred to in Monday's letter to subscribers. 'Even as we have grown from a $3.5 million organization in 2010 to a $30 million one in 2025, we've remained committed to accessibility – keeping ticket prices affordable and offering 'Pay what You Can' performances,' board members stated in the letter. The news has produced plenty of debate on social media, with one side insisting the Paramount needs to pay its own way, and others noting that, while budgets need to be adhered to, there are intangibles surrounding some things that go beyond a business ledger. As was pointed out in a news story by Beacon-News reporter Christian Smith, going by the most recent numbers from the national Arts & Economic Prosperity study – that those attending nonprofit arts or culture events spend more than $38 per person per event in addition to the ticket – ACCA would have generated around $24 million from its 2024 audiences alone. Along that same idea, 'How much money does Phillips Park generate? We put money into it because parks are good for the community,' not because they turn a profit, noted Aurora Ald. Carl Franco, who told me he's hearing from 'very disturbed, very passionate' residents of his 5th Ward about the Paramount cuts. But Franco suggests people also go straight to the mayor's office with their opinions, or better yet, show up at City Council meetings and use their three minutes to voice their concerns. All of which made me think about a grassroots movement I wrote about a few months ago that was centered around another downtown landmark: The old Aurora Hotel, once a grand destination, had fallen into disrepair and was set for demolition in the mid-1990s because the city would not help fund its restoration. But a few passionate people put together a community blitz, which included writing letters, gathering petitions, speaking to residents and civic groups and producing research showing that historic preservation is more than just saving old buildings – it is an economic engine. The voice of the people resulted in a victory cheer. After a whole lot of back and forth and with, as one Beacon-News headline proclaimed, the hotel 'a whisper away from the wrecking ball,' the city agreed to the more than half-million-dollar loan to save the building. Today the building is known as North Island Apartments, a fully-occupied affordable senior housing venue that has added much-needed density to downtown Aurora. 'Money spent is money made,' insisted Franco, who also referred to another old adage – making lemons out of lemonade – in response to this week's negative news from the Paramount. While these cuts are indeed BOLD and could have been made more gradually, the announcement that one of the Paramount's highly-acclaimed programs is being cancelled at the end of this month has gotten everyone's attention. And hopefully that will push more residents, more officials, more community leaders to become engaged in efforts to restore the full luster to Aurora's crown jewel. Which brings me to a throw-back thought: Why not form another grassroots movement? Maybe call it 'Friends of the Paramount.' Take all those negative feelings and turn them into advocacy that can be seen and heard. And if you've got some ideas – creative, practical or a combination of the two – feel free to share them with Paramount Senior Marketing Director Hollis at HollisG@ The mission behind that grassroots effort three decades ago was to 'slow down and look at the big picture.' As Karen Christensen noted in a second email she sent to the city, 'You might say that Aurora has had a few chances to re-invent itself – in the 1960s, in the 1980s and in the early 2000s. It's not for lack of trying. I would hate to see us make the storied prophesy come true, i.e. 'three strikes and you're out.'
Chicago Tribune
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Column: BOLD Series drama in Aurora both fictional and real
I have to admit that after watching the recent opening of 'True West' at Copley Theatre in downtown Aurora, I had some negative feelings, but not about the show itself, which kicked off the fourth season of the Paramount's BOLD Series. This powerful drama clearly lives up to the name given to these productions held in this small theater that was renovated a few years ago to showcase thought-provoking performances that tend to stick with audiences long after the final bow is taken on stage. 'True West,' a Pulitzer-Prize finalist written by Sam Shepard in 1980, is explosive and raw – pitting two brothers against each other who share scars from childhood but little else. Even though the drama uses character-types and symbolism taken from the classic American Western, it is set in the 20th century's less primitive – but still cut-throat – environment of Hollywood and Southern California. And the conflict between the law-abiding brother and his petty thief sibling isn't over a herd of cattle or gold mine but over a screenplay an agent promises will bring them fame and fortune. The tension and anger that builds throughout the show makes for powerful theater. But 'True West' is also full of dark humor, symbolism and some flat-out remarkable acting. And I found myself, as I usually do after a BOLD production, sitting in my seat for a few moments to collect my thoughts. Only this time they centered not on the fictional ending I'd just witnessed but on an ending more realistic that could impact this community. The BOLD Series kicked off in 2022 but quickly made a name for itself with audiences and critics. And that can't help but provide excellent marketing for the city. Consider the words of Chicago Tribune editor and writer Chris Jones, who covers theater in Chicago, New York … and Aurora. He said in his review of 'True West' that was published Friday in the Chicago Tribune that 'there's not a moment here that does not ring true and essential.' 'Frankly, I was blown away by how well this play works in the here and now, how relevant it feels,' he wrote. Then he added, 'If you're in shouting distance of Aurora, you won't regret the roughly 50 bucks or the two hours in its company.' In other words – mine to be exact – this nationally-recognized theater expert is practically begging people to come to Aurora. And that's music to the ears of anyone who remembers, not that many years ago, when the downtown had such a bad reputation people were being warned to stay away. But just as the brothers in 'True West' had dueling philosophies that crashed and nearly burned, Paramount leaders and the new mayoral administration in Aurora have opposing views on how critical all this is to downtown Aurora. That conflict was obvious immediately after John Laesch was elected mayor this spring when he told reporters he had no intention of pursuing the City of Lights Center, a 4,000-seat theater and 600-person event space that was next on the Aurora Civic Center Authority's list to continue making the city an entertainment hub. That angst and uncertainty has only grown since then. Last week at a town hall meeting, Laesch, who has put reducing city debt at the top of his priority list, made it clear there would be drastic cuts to the $7 million grant the city gave last year to the Aurora Civic Center Authority, which owns and operates the Paramount Theatre, Copley Theatre, Paramount School of the Arts and North Island Center, plus manages the city-owned RiverEdge Park and Stolp Island Theatre. That amount is 'way too much money,' he told the audience at Metea Valley High School. And that most likely means layoffs and huge cuts to programming may be necessary. Which brings me again to Jones' review and where my thoughts were as 'True West' kicked off the new BOLD Series season. 'In the unlikely setting of a small civic theater in downtown Aurora,' he noted, 'director Jim Corti and crew are staging what appears to be an ongoing series of very intense and distinctive versions of 20th century American classics of the kind theaters don't produce as much anymore.' There's no question the Paramount has brought theater magic – not to mention cool branding – to the city of Aurora. But this series of unique and powerful plays is not inexpensive to produce. 'True West' may have been among the best BOLD productions I've seen so far. But my fear is that it could also be its last.
Chicago Tribune
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Stage fright or not, Paramount's BOLD Series comedy engages audience like no other
Forget the stark division in our political landscape. I'm convinced an equally wide difference exists between people who can perform in front of strangers and those who would rather be caught in the middle of a herd of stampeding buffaloes. To be clear: I'm not talking about entertainers, motivational speakers, clergy or other professionals who face audiences on a regular basis. Specifically, I'm referring to those who would spontaneously volunteer not only to get up on stage and be part of a musical but also put their spelling prowess to the test. At every show of the Paramount's 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,' attendees can, indeed, sign up before the musical comedy begins – listing a few fun facts about themselves – for a chance to join the professionals on stage during the first act. The four who are chosen then get brief instructions on what they will be required to do, which not only means standing in front of a mic and attempting to spell whatever words come their way, but also blending into the storyline, which includes some light follow-along choreography. Since watching this BOLD Series production, now playing through April 27 at Copley Theatre in downtown Aurora, I have been fascinated by the BOLD among us. In fact, I found myself paying as much attention on opening night to the four volunteers who took on the roles of quirky adolescent spellers as I did the pros. And so, I reached out to a couple of these amateur brave-hearts last week to find out more about them. Surely, I reasoned, they must be terrific spellers or confident public speakers – or likely both – to get on that stage. Turns out, not so much. 'Were you nervous?' I asked. Absolutely, admitted Naperville resident Mary Babler, who was urged on by husband Tom to sign up. The fact Babler was a retired third-grade teacher who hosted plenty of spelling bees drew her to this show, her first visit to a BOLD Series performance. Still, she quickly added, spelling was never her strong suit, nor was any form of public speaking. 'So why did you do it?' I asked. 'Good question,' she replied with a chuckle, then suggested the intimacy of the theater and the fun atmosphere of the musical itself contributed to her decision to give it a shot. That, she added, 'and a glass of wine.' Likewise, Aurora resident Katie Herrmann, despite singing in her church choir and doing some community theater with the Fox Valley Park District, was not used to being front and center on any stage, much less one that requires you to spell in front of an audience. Herrmann, a speech language pathologist who was at opening night with a theater-reviewer friend, confessed, 'I was the most nervous I'd ever been … my hands were shaking as I held the mic.' Still, it was 'also the most fun I've ever had,' Herrmann said, adding that part of the thrill was being on stage with such 'high level talent,' including Naphtali Curry, who had just finished playing Donkey in the national tour of 'Shrek: The Musical.' Both she and Babler had nothing but praise for the entire cast. Not only were they talented, but kind, welcoming and able to discreetly direct them on stage. 'They made it so easy you could not screw up,' noted Herrmann. 'And even when it was time to leave, they guided you off with dignity.' What's amazing, says Paramount Artistic Producer and Casting Director Trent Stork, is that these actors are so well-prepared in this comedy, no matter what the audience spellers do, they know how to keep the show going and the laughs rolling. Plus, Stork added, 'it engages audiences in a way that makes you feel like a kid again.' The two audience volunteers stayed in this comedic bee for at least a couple of rounds. Babler was tripped up by the word 'fartlek,' Swedish for a type of running workout. And for Herrmann it was 'A'a', which is a type of lava flow. Certainly understandable since they both attacked these strange words phonetically. You can't say the same for Stork, who volunteered when a fourth speller was needed for the 'Designer Run,' which is the first rehearsal show that goes before an audience. The self-described 'straight-A student but bad speller,' remembered how 'Mom constantly was on me because I never brought a spelling list home.' Stork got the word 'cow' – the easiest word in the musical and meant to keep its speller in the contest a little longer. Unfortunately, for this Paramount pro whose second home is the theater, stage fright took over and out came 'c-a-w.' 'As the music starts for that song, I was getting nervous. I choked,' Stork recalled. 'They thought I did it on purpose. But what is worse: that they thought I was trying to ruin the show or that I can't spell cow?' By the way, the producer/director admitted that in the 40 shows so far of this hilarious musical – that's 160 audience volunteers – 'I don't think anyone has missed cow.' Stork, who on opening night wore a T-shirt with the picture of this farm animal and the letters C-A-W above it, has a feeling 'I will never live this down.' All the more reason, Stork added, 'I'm holding off telling Mom.'
Chicago Tribune
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Column: On stage in Aurora and in real life, county spelling bees provide lesson in competition
'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' is a Tony-nominated production that's been around for 20 years. But the message of this beloved musical comedy that centers on six middle-schoolers vying for a trophy is more relevant than ever – there's a whole lot of pressure on kids to not only compete but to win, sometimes at any cost. OK, so that's a lot to put on a musical comedy. Especially one as hilarious as this show that's playing through April 27 at Copley Theatre in downtown Aurora. Yes, 'Putnam County Spelling Bee' is so darn adorable, I laughed and smiled my way through the entire two-hour show that not only features a talented cast of nerdy 'adolescents' and equally quirky adults, but also a handful of brave audience members who joined the spellers on stage as they vied for a chance to bring home a big trophy and represent their county at the next level of competition. The top-notch caliber of this show is no surprise. That's what we've come to expect from the Paramount Theatre's BOLD Series, which not only manages to entertain but also deliver a message that keeps you thinking after the standing ovation. This show, I guarantee, will hit home with a majority of the audience. After all, most of us have vivid memories of taking part in spelling bees, whether we were lousy at it, managed to hang around for several rounds or came away with head held high as a finalist, runner-up or champ. As Director Stephen Schellhardt pointed out in his playbill notes, even with ChatGPT and spell check, 'America's love for this centuries-old spelling bee endures,' in all likelihood because 'competition is a cornerstone of society.' Turns out, the same week this Copley musical opened, a seventh-grader from Larson Middle School in Elgin, Yahya Mohammed, took the top prize in the spelling bee sponsored by the Kane County Regional Office of Education, which has partnered with Scripps National Spelling Bee – celebrating its centennial this year – for more than two decades. Young Yahya Mohammed – who nailed the word 'intersperse' after 20 rounds of competition – also won the regional bee last year, and lasted into the fourth round at the national contest in Washington, D.C. There were 27 schools that were represented in the semifinal of this year's Kane County bee, according to the Regional Office of Education, and those numbers have remained consistent over the last several years. Like anything that involves kids and/or education, there's been pros and cons written about word-memorization contests – promotes better reading, writing, spelling and confidence versus does not promote better reading, writing, spelling and confidence. The musical definitely shines a humorous spotlight on the pressure kids are under to excel. But that's true in any youth-related competition, especially sports, where the ante has been upped for this generation, as it takes so much more time, money and family commitment to just stay in the game, never mind excel at it. What I liked about 'Putnam County Spelling Bee,' however, is that in their angst-riddled pursuit of excellence and acceptance, these youngsters display resiliency, and that, while they realize winning is awesome, in the end, it's really just icing on the cake to the other positives that healthy competition can foster. As Schellhardt pointed out in his director's playbill notes, the word competition stems from the Latin words COM, which means 'together,' and PETERE, which means 'to seek.' 'What if we were to honor that version of the word more often?' he asks. 'What if, in our pursuit of excellence, we turn towards each other instead of against and celebrate our differences? 'What if we champion the courage it takes to simply show up?' Turns out those words were echoed by Patricia Dal Santo, regional superintendent of schools for Kane County. 'The amount of effort that students put into preparing for this competition is a feat itself,' she said, noting the 4,000-word study list these kids get to prepare for these spelling bees. 'Simply participating on this stage can be a treasured memory for children and their families,' she added, 'and we take pride in providing this platform for them to showcase their talent.'
