Metropolis and Paramount home to enticing seasons in Arlington Heights, Aurora

Two very popular suburban theaters offer a variety of shows that will beat the winter doldrums.

Paramount Theatre shepherds a trio of Aurora venues that stage ongoing world-class productions. Not surprisingly, “Million Dollar Quartet” has been extended by popular demand through June at the new Stolp Island Theatre. It was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical on Broadway. Stolp Island Theatre’s inventive concept creates an immersive musical that relays the story of four legends (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins) and their Sun Studio start.

The intimate Copley Theatre presents the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” from March 12-April 27. Winning two Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award, the musical takes place at the fictional Putnam Valley Middle School, and relies heavily on audience participation.

Paramount’s Broadway Series continues on the main stage in the grandly ornate Art Deco theater:

“Frozen,” the musical based on the 2013 Disney film about two sisters, Elsa and Anna, and Elsa’s magical powers continues through Jan. 19.

“Waitress,” the hit musical about Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker dreaming of a way out of her small Southern town and rocky marriage, will be a Midwest regional premiere playing Feb. 12-March 30. Music and lyrics are by Sara Bareilles.

“Cats,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical fantasy based on the 1939 poetry collection “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot, plays April 30-June 15.

In Arlington Heights, Metropolis’s 2025 season includes a wide range of shows.

A staged concert of “Mary Poppins” runs Feb. 20-March 9. It’s produced in collaboration with the Metropolis School of the Performing Arts, of which Director Danny Kapinos is a former student. The staged concert, based on one of Disney’s most popular movies, combines elements of a traditional concert with light staging and choreography and a live orchestra with full instrumentation. There will be no set and minimal props, allowing the audience to focus on vocal performances and the music.

Celebrating 1980s hit songs, the jukebox musical comedy “Rock of Ages” runs May 1-25. About a small town girl, a city boy and their rock ’n’ roll romance on the Sunset Strip, it features big hair, leg warmers, neon and the music of Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon and Bon Jovi, to mention a few of the artists.

Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig’s “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” closes the season, running July 24-Aug. 3, and telling the nostalgic story of Ludwig’s parents during World War II and their courtship.

Metropolis plans to announce a new artistic director at the end of January and future productions for the 2025-26 season by the end of February.

Whether you are a season subscriber, a hit-or-miss patron or Eventbrite supporter, live theater is important. It allows us to see a different perspective than our own. We share space and experience with the artists who are performing, as well as with fellow audience members. Theater is immediate, evolving, entertaining and always different. No two performances are ever the same. Live theater is a unique experience that never can be replicated. Take advantage of what area theaters offer you.

• Regina Belt-Daniels is a veteran of more than 40 shows in the northern Illinois area, working with RCLPC Theater, McHenry County College’s Black Box Theatre, Woodstock Musical Theatre, TownSquare Players, Elgin Theatre Company, Steel Beam and Raue Center For The Arts. This is her 10th year of writing theater reviews for Shaw Local News Network.

IF YOU GO

• WHAT: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights

• INFORMATION: 847-577-2121, metropolisarts.com

• WHAT: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora

• WHAT: Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora

• WHAT: Stolp Island Theatre, 5 E. Downer Place, Aurora

• INFORMATION: 630-896-6666, paramountaurora.com