Paramount in Aurora names Corti artistic director

Broadway veteran Jim Corti has been named the first-ever artistic director of the 80-year-old Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

Corti is set to oversee a professionally produced 2011-12 Broadway Subscription Series of four musicals in the historic 1,888-seat art deco theater near the banks of the Fox River. According to Paramount Executive Director Tim Rater, each musical is slated for a three-week run and will feature local performers, directors and designers from the Chicago area.

Corti, a multiple Jeff Award-winning director/choreographer/actor with many credits at companies ranging from Drury Lane Theatre to Victory Gardens Theater, is set to announce the four titles at a free “Big Reveal” party slated for 7 p.m. Friday, March 18, at the theater. An $89 four-show package is being offered to the first 10,000 subscribers.

The Paramount’s new push to produce its own musical productions will augment the theater’s regular practice of hosting short-run presentations of comedians, dance and music concerts and family shows. For more information, call (630) 896-6666 or visit paramountaurora.com.