Photo Flash: First Look at Paramount Theatre's RENT, Now Playing

It's already been quite a season at the gorgeous Paramount Theater in downtown Aurora, with audiences flocking to see three consecutive hit productions of In the Heights, Miss Saigon and 42nd Street.

But just wait until Artistic Director Jim Corti and his team of incredible theater artists close out the company's third Broadway musical series with a daring production of the popular rock musicalRENT. Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENTis a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates.

Performances continue through April 6, 2014. Press opening is Saturday, March 15 at 8 p.m. The Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, IL. Show 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 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are only $36.90 to $49.90. To purchase, 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 2 hours prior to evening performances. Note:RENT is rated R for strong adult language and themes. Not recommended for audiences under 17.

Principal cast members are: as Mark, Andrew M. Mueller (Peter and the Star Catcher off Broadway, "Huck Finn" in Big River at BoHo Theatre - Jeff Award); as Mimi, Adaeze' Kelley(alumnus of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy of Los Angeles, "Velma" in Universal Studios Japan productions of Chicago, the title role in AIDA, and "Dorothy" in The Wiz); as Roger,Adam Michaels (Paramount's Hair and Route 66); as Tom Collins, Evan Tyrone Martin ("Harpo" in Mercury Theatre's The Color Purple, Jeff Award Nomination for "Flick" in Violet at Bailiwick and Broadway World Nomination-Best Actor Musical for "Valentin" in Kiss of the Spider Woman at BoHo Theatre); as Maureen, Andrea Prestinario ("Eliza Doolittle" in Paramount's My Fair Lady, "Louise" in Drury Lane Oakbrook's Gypsy); as Benny, Kelvin Roston Jr. (Court Theatre's Seven Guitars and Porgy and Bess, Jeff Nominations for title role in Black Ensemble Theatre's The Jackie Wilson Story); as Joanne, Meghan Murphy (Chicago and New York City's original cast 50 Shades! The Musical and Black Ensemble's From Doo Wop to Hip Hop); and as Angel, Sawyer Smith (Paramount's A Chorus Line).

Photos by Liz Lauren

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