Photo Flash: In Rehearsal With MISS SAIGON; Plays October 30-November 24 at Aurora's Paramount Theatre

Love, loss and the ultimate sacrifice...be a part of Paramount Theatre's remarkable, emotionally charged staging of Miss Saigon, one of the most epic productions of modern musical theater.

Directed by Paramount Theatre Artistic Director Jim Corti, Miss Saigon is the second installment in the Paramount's "Better than Broadway" 2013-14 Broadway series. Performances are October 30-November 24, 2013 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, Ill.Press opening is Saturday, November 2 at 8 p.m.

Single tickets are only $36.90 to $49.90. To purchase tickets, 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.

From the creators of Les Miserables, Miss Saigon is the riveting story of an American solider that has fallen in love with a Vietnamese bargirl as the fall of Saigon is looming. Following a quick wedding and an evening of passion, the GI is forced to evacuate, pledging to return for his new bride. Years later, he learns his love escaped the country with their son he never knew...beginning a quest that will change everyone.

Miss Saigon is an experience filled with brilliant imagery, rich orchestrations, unforgettable lyrics and a story that will stir your heart. Director Jim Corti explains "Paramount is about producing large scale shows in a way Chicago audiences haven't seen them before, while still remaining ever true to the authors' intentions. As it alludes to Madame Butterfly, Miss Saigon is based on real lives and inspired by documentary photographs of the Vietnam War. This is simply an idea from where we are taking off. Paramount audiences can look forward to a very physical production that integrates compelling documentary imagery with the heat and color of live performance."

To meet growing demand for its Broadway series, Paramount has extended each show's run from three to four weeks in 2013-14. 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.Miss Saigon is rated PG-13 for adult themes and language.

Photos by Tom King

Actor Peter Sipla shakes hands with eight-year-old Zachary Uzarraga on the first day of rehearsal. Standing by is Zachary's older brother Matthew, Zachary's understudy in the role of Tam.

The Paramount Theatre's rehearsal room is plastered with archival photos and background information about Miss Saigon, giving important historical context to the cast as they immerse themselves in rehearsals.

Shawn Stengel, music director and conductor for Paramount Theatre's Miss Saigon, talks the cast through the demanding music score for the production.

(from left) Assistant Director Trent Stork and Jim Corti, Artistic Director at the Paramount Theatre and director of Miss Saigon, show the cast a model of Linda Buchanan's set design for the production.

(from left) Assistant Director Trent Stork helps Jim Corti, Artistic Director at the Paramount Theatre and director of Miss Saigon, shows his cast a model of Linda Buchanan's striking set design for the production.

Jim Corti, Artistic Director at the Paramount Theatre and director of Miss Saigon, addresses his cast and crew at the show's first rehearsal on October 7.

The cast of Paramount Theatre's Miss Saigon on the first day of rehearsals, October 7.

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