TV: First Look at Highlights of Paramount Theatre's OKLAHOMA!

Everything's up to date in Aurora, where nearly 27,000 subscribers (and still counting) have already signed up for the Paramount Theatre's 2015-16 four-show Broadway Musical Series.

That's just one reason why Paramount's Broadway opener Oklahoma, directed by Artistic Director Jim Corti, promises to be the musical everyone will be talking about this fall.

Wower of Chicagoland audiences and critics alike since launching its own, self-produced Broadway series four years ago, the Paramount's fifth consecutive Broadway Series kicks off with the epic, much-loved debut collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein about turn of the century American pioneers. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!
Performances continue through October 18.

Show times are Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $41 to $56.

The Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd., in the heart of downtown Aurora. For tickets and information, go to ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or visit the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and two hours prior to evening performances. Oklahoma is rated PG.

Corti announces his "all-star cast for Oklahoma, many playing the Paramount stage for the first time! I couldn't be more thrilled directing this A-list cast of actors led by rising stars Colte Julian as Curly McLain, Allison Sill as Laurey Williams, and Peter Saide as Jud Fry, all three making their Paramount debut."

Julian, whose credits include Jerry Lee Lewis in the Chicago production and national tour of Million Dollar Quartet, will draw from his southwest Oklahoman upbringing as Curly. Sill, who turned heads as Inga in Drury Lane's Young Frankenstein, will play the conflicted farm girl Laurey. Saide (Jud), fresh from his Chicago debut in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Sense and Sensibility, has a long, impressive list of off Broadway, regional and even international credits.

Oklahoma also stars Kareem Bandealy (Ali Hakim), Caron Buinis (Aunt Eller Murphy), Lillie Cummings (Ado Annie Carnes), Carl Draper (Will Parker), Don Forston (Andrew Carnes), Allyson Graves (Gertie Cummings), Don Richard(Cord Elam), and ensemble members Aubrey Adams, William Carlos Angulo, Annelise Baker, Larry Baldacci,Aaron Conklin, Courtney Cerny, Erica Evans, Sam Gardner, Alana Grossman, Matt Holzfeind, Kristina Larson-Hauk,James Lee, Chelsea Morgan, Holly Stauder, James Stevko, Monica Thomas, J Tyler Whitmer and Phil Young.

As always, Paramount has tapped only the highest caliber talent in every aspect of production to create a revelatory new look at one of America's favorite, classic musicals. To start, and in true Paramount tradition, the
18-member Paramount Orchestra will play the full, original Broadway orchestrations for Oklahoma.

Like director Jim Corti, Chicago musical theater wunderkind Tom Vendafreddo, Music Director and Conductor for Oklahoma, is following up his excellent work on Tommy and Les Mis in Paramount's orchestra pit.

Paramount's production team also includes Katie Spelman, choreographer; Scott Davis, set; Theresa Ham, costumes;Greg Hofmann, lights; Mike Stanfill, projections; Adam Rosenthal, sound; Katie Cordts, wigs; and Sarah Ross, props. Trent Stork is assistant director; Sara Gammage is Stage Manager; Amber Johnson is Assistant Stage Manager.

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