Paramount Theatre President and CEO Tim Rater announced Monday another a jam-packed schedule of major stars, live music acts, top comedians and family performances that could bring record crowds to the historic Aurora theater in the coming year.

Current Paramount subscribers get first dibs on tickets and the best seats during the exclusive subscriber pre-sale starting yesterday (Monday, June 13) through 9:59 a.m. Sunday, June 26.

Paramount’s General Season shows go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 30. To subscribe or to purchase single tickets, visit ParamountAurora.com, call the box office at 630-896-6666 or stop by in person at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora.

Last season, Paramount’s Broadway productions were nominated for a record-breaking 16 Joseph Jefferson Awards and took home five wins, including Best Large Musical with Les Misérables. In addition, critics rave “Paramount productions belong on Broadway.” But it’s not just what’s taking place on stage that has people talking.

Tim Rater and Jim Corti CREDIT: Paramount

Already announced is the Paramount’s 2016-17 Broadway musical series, including Mamma Mia! (Sept. 7-Oct. 30, 2016), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Nov. 23, 2016-Jan. 8, 2017), Sweeney Todd-The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Feb. 8-March 19, 2017) and Jesus Christ Superstar (April 19- May 28, 2017). Paramount anticipates more than 30,000 subscribers will take advantage of Paramount’s now-familiar Buy Two, Get Two offer, or four Broadway-caliber musicals for no more than $29.50 per show.

On Monday, Rater unveiled the balance of the Paramount’s 2016-17 schedule, with big names including Priscilla Presley, Engelbert Humperdinck, Garrison Keillor, Rickie Lee Jones, Madeleine Peyroux, Riverdance, Golden Dragon Acrobats, Under The Streetlamp, The Second City and Billy Gardell, just to name a few, all performing live on the beautiful Paramount stage in the heart of downtown Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois.

The Paramount’s 85th season officially launches Friday, August 19 with the annual Season Kick Off- Party that raises money for a great cause – kids. For just $20, guests will sample food from around the Aurora area, bid on incredible silent auction prizes and enjoy a fully-stocked cash bar, all in the beautiful, new Meyer Ballroom directly across the street from the Paramount.

Following the party is perennial favorite Happy Together Tour 2016 at 8 p.m., with a line-up that literally brings classic radio back to life with Chuck Negron from Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, Chicago’s very own The Cowsills, The Grassroots, Mark Lindsay from Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Spencer Davis Group, and of course, Flo & Eddie from The Turtles.

Paramount’s 2016-17 season continues with The Second City’s Free Speech! (While Supplies Last) (Aug. 27), Mamma Mia! (Septr. 7-Oct. 30), Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl (Nov. 4), Engelbert Humperdinck (Nov. 5), Under The Streetlamp (Nov. 6), Billy Gardell (Nov. 12), Garrison Keillor (Nov. 13), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Nov. 23-Jan. 8), The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue (Dec. 2-23, in Paramount’s Copley Theatre), Defending the Caveman (Jan. 20), God Save The Queen (Jan. 21), Sweeney Todd-The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Feb. 8-March 19), Home Free (March 24), Madeleine Peyroux and Rickie Lee Jones (March 25), Golden Dragon Acrobats (Mar. 26), Riverdance (March 31-April 2, five shows), Jesus Christ Superstar (April 19-May 28), Piano Men: A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel (Jun. 10) and Barbra and Frank: The Concert That Never Was … (June 11).

Also back in 2016-17, Paramount’s popular Classic Movie Monday series, presenting everyone’s favorite flicks in one of Chicago’s top former movie palaces on a two-story screen, for just $1. Paramount also serves the community with low-cost children’s shows designed to entertain while they educate: Jigsaw Jones and the Case of the Class Clown (Nov. 2), Doktor Kaboom (Nov. 3), Miss Nelson is Missing (Mar. 22) and Laura Ingalls Wilder (Mar. 23).

“Paramount is proud to host the biggest starts, the best comedians, top music acts and fantastic family shows, all at an affordable price, without the inconveniences associated with seeing shows downtown,” said Tim Rater, President and CEO of Paramount Theatre. “Couple our expanded 2016- 17 Broadway series with the slate of presented shows announced today, and the Paramount is arguably the busiest theater in Chicago, with the deepest array of programming and the most loyal – and growing – audience in the Midwest.”