"Charlie And The Chocolate Factory," "Billy Elliot': 2023-24 Musicals At Paramount

AURORA, IL — It's been 12 years since Paramount Theater unveiled its Broadway series, and the 2023-24 season is just as packed with hit musicals.

"Little Shop of Horrors," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Billy Elliot: The Musical" and "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" will be performed over the coming year at the downtown Aurora theater, 23 E. Galena Boulevard, officials announced Monday.

On top of the Broadway shows, Paramount also unveiled the lineup for its second season of the Bold series, performed at the new Copley Theatre across the street. "Next to Normal," "What the Constitution Means to Me" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" are slated to take place July 26 to Sept. 3, Oct. 4 to Nov. 12, and March 13 to April 21, 2024, respectively.

"In sum, that’s seven fully-staged, professional productions featuring Chicago and the nation’s most talented actors, designers and directors on stage and behind-the-scenes, sure to keep downtown Aurora — and all of Chicago’s live theater community — buzzing in 2023-24," theater executives said in a news release.

Here is an overview of upcoming shows and their run dates:

"Little Shop of Horrors"

• When: Aug. 30 to Oct. 15, with opening night at 8 p.m. Sept. 8
• What: Stories of curiosity, inspiration, passion, struggle and family make up this R&B sensation by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the duo behind musicals "Aladdin," "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast."

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"

• When: Nov. 8, 2023, to Jan. 14, 2024, with opening night at 8 p.m. Nov. 17
• What: Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, show-goers will follow young Charlie Bucket, Grandpa Joe and fourth other Golden Ticket winners as they embark on a tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

"Billy Elliot: The Musical"

• When: Feb. 7 to March 24, 2024, with opening night at 8 p.m. Feb. 16
• What: Elton John's music brings to life the coming-of-age story of Billy Elliot, an 11-year-old English boy who stumbles into a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson.

"Beautiful: The Carole King Musical"

• When: April 24 to June 16, 2024, with opening night at 8 p.m. May 3
• What: A musical that tells the inspiring, true story of Carole King's rise to stardom along with her husband and songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin, and how she went on to be one of the most successful musicians in contemporary music history.

As has been the case since the Broadway series' inception in 2011, tickets to shows are still offered as "buy two shows, get two shows free." Packages start at $56.

Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 630-896-6666 or visiting the box office at 23 E. Galena Boulevard