If your family is dreaming of a White Christmas, may your days be merry and bright, because Paramount Theatre is, too.
Nostalgia, pageantry and spectacle come to life in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, the most iconic holiday musical of all time, next in Paramount’s 14th Broadway Series, November 12, 2025-January 11, 2026. Opening Night is Friday, November 21 at 7 p.m.*
*Please note new, earlier 7 p.m. curtain time for Friday and Saturday evening performances in 2025-26.
Based on the classic 1954 film starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, this two-time Tony Award nominated musical is a family favorite that brings generations together to celebrate the magic of the holidays.
World War II is over, and former GIs Bob and Phil have become a popular song-and-dance team. The duo travel to a quaint ski resort in Vermont where they meet Betty and Judy, an equally talented up-and-coming sister act. Once there, they realize the mountain resort is owned by their former General, who is on the brink of losing it all. “Let’s put on a show!” is the fondly recalled response to help the beloved General save his business, culminating with epic dance numbers, spectacular costumes and a finale rendition of “White Christmas” that will make you a believer.
Bright and bold, honest and heartfelt, Paramount’s White Christmas will dazzle all ages with its beautiful “vistacolor” set, lush costumes and ingenious props. Big song-and-dance numbers will showcase not just incredible tap dancing, but all sorts of dance styles. The production boasts director Stephen Schellhardt, Chicago’s A-list actors/singers/dancers on stage, a 14-person live orchestra performing Irving Berlin classics like “Sisters,” “Snow,” and “White Christmas,” and a veteran team of designers and technicians well-versed in creating live, holiday musical magic.
By the show’s jaw-dropping finale, Paramount audiences will feel warm, cozy and comfortable, like they’ve just been wrapped in a beautiful present. And, as always, a two-story Christmas tree in the theater’s Grand Gallery serves as the perfect backdrop for holiday photos before and after the show.
Stephen Schellhardt, who made his Paramount directing debut last spring with the Jeff Recommended The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, returns to direct Paramount’s all-ages, holiday season blockbuster. Audiences in Aurora also know Schellhardt for his lead roles on stage at Paramount, including Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Baker in Into the Woods, and Bruce in Fun Home.
“When I first revisited White Christmas,” said Schellhardt, “I was struck not just by its dazzling musical numbers, dynamic choreography and timeless charm, but by its heart. Whether it’s helping a friend chase a dream, lifting someone’s spirits with a song, or rallying to support a beloved military leader in need, White Christmas invites us to return to the warmth of shared memories, the comfort of familiar traditions, and the joy of ‘paying it forward.’”
Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. Tickets to Irving Berlin’s White Christmas are $31-$106, a fraction of the cost to see a show in downtown Chicago. Plus downtown Aurora boasts easy, cheaper parking and new restaurants all around. (Prices listed when tickets are purchased in-person. Additional fees apply for phone and online orders.)
Paramount Theatre’s 2025 Broadway Series holiday spectacular is Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, featuring (l to r) Alex Syiek as Bob Wallace, Evan C. Dolan as Phil Davis, Sophie Grimm as Betty Haynes, Jessie J. Potter as Judy Haynes, David Girolmo as General Waverly and Abby C. Smith as Martha Watson
White Christmas previews begin Wednesday, November 12 at 7 p.m. Press opening is Friday, November 21 at 7 p.m. Performances run through January 11: Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Additional holiday week matinees are Friday, November 28 at 2 p.m. and Friday, December 26 at 2 p.m. No shows on Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27), Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24) or Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25).
For tickets, visit ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until show time on show days. For group discounts, contact Melissa Striedl, melissas@paramountarts.com or (630) 723-2461.
Rosemary Clooney (left) as Betty and Vera-Ellen as Judy perform “Sisters” in the 1954 holiday film classic White Christmas, produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures, and the first to be released in VistaVision.
Sisters BOGO Night at White Christmas
Sisters Night at White Christmas is Wednesday, November 19 at 7 p.m. Use promo code SISTERS when purchasing online or in-person at the box office for 2-for-1 tickets. Matching holiday outfits encouraged. Additional restrictions and fees apply.
Making live theater more accessible
Paramount will offer two Pay What You Can previews on Thursday, November 13 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 15 at 3 p.m. See ParamountAurora.com/Pay-What-You-Can for details.
Paramount will open caption the performance on Wednesday, December 17 at 1:30 p.m. and offer American Sign Language interpretation Friday, January 2 at 7 p.m.
Paramount offers free assistive listening devices at all performances. Check at the coat room before the show to borrow a device. If you require wheelchair, special seating or other assistance, please contact the box office in advance at (630) 896-6666 or boxoffice@paramountarts.com.
White Christmas: Behind the scenes
Paramount’s cast features Alex Syiek (Bob Wallace), Evan C. Dolan (Phil Davis), Sophie Grimm (Betty Haynes), Jessie J. Potter (Judy Haynes), David Girolmo (General Henry Waverly), and Abby C. Smith (Martha Watson). Lydia Burke, Alanna Chavez, Tim Foszcz,Joe Giovannetti and Darian Goulding are the quintet. The ensemble also includes Brian Bandura, Logan Becker, Matty Bettencourt, Emily Ann Brooks, Clayton Cross, Carl Draper, Marisa Fee, Marcus Hardy, Rosie Hunter, Lacey Jack, Jake DiMaggio Lopez, Emma Ogea, Alexandra Palkovic, Jason Richards, Morgan Schoenecker, Brian Selcik and Shelbi Voss. Youth performers Omi Lichtenstein and Tessa Mae Pundsack will alternate performances as Susan Waverly.
Paramount’s production team is led by director Stephen Schellhardt with Tiffany Krause, choreographer; Annie Jo Fischer, tap choreographer; Kory Danielson, music director, conductor; Jeffrey D. Kmiec, scenic designer; Mara Blumenfeld, costume designer; Greg Hofmann, lighting designer; Adam Rosenthal, sound designer; Katie Cordts, wig, hair and makeup designer; Aimee Plant, properties designer; Ethan Deppe, electronic music designer; Matt Deitchman, orchestra reductionist; Bailey O'Neil, assistant director and dramaturg; Celia Villacres, associate music director and associate conductor; Britt-Marie Sivertson, intimacy director; Matthew Silar, stage manager; Lina Benich and Rachel Campbell, assistant stage managers; and Bridget Kearbey, young performer supervisor. Music and lyrics are by Irving Berlin. Book by David Ives and Paul Blake.
White Christmas is sponsored by Jake’s Inc. and Rush Copley Medical Center. Broadway Series sponsors are the Dunham Foundation, BMO, Illinois Arts Council and the City of Aurora.
Holiday Gift Guide: Tickets to White Christmas and 3-Play Broadway Series Subscriptions
Tickets to Irving Berlin’s White Christmas make excellent holiday gifts. Even better for the theater lover on your list is a Paramount 3-Show Broadway Series package including White Christmas, the Chicago Regional Premiere of Dear Evan Hansen (Feb.4-Mar 22, 2026) and the beloved classic South Pacific (April 29-June 14).
Save 40% when you subscribe with a three-show package. Paramount gift cards can also be purchased in any denomination, used for any show, and never expire. For tickets, subscriptions and gift cards, visit ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount box office.
Million Dollar Quartet is still rockin' at Paramount's new Stolp Island Theatre
That’s not all! Paramount’s immersive production of Million Dollar Quartet continues to rock in Paramount’s new Stolp Island Theatre, 5 E. Downer Place, Suite G in downtown Aurora. The critically acclaimed jukebox musical celebrating the music of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley has been extended a third time, through January 4, 2026. All seats remain just $66 (when purchased in-person; additional fees may apply for phone and online orders). Don’t wait, as performances continue to sell-out. For tickets and information, visit ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre box office.
About Paramount Theatre
Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., is the center for performing arts in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois. The beautiful, 1,843-seat theater, graced with a strong 1930s Art Deco influence and original Venetian décor, nationally known for its high-quality productions, superb acoustics and historic grandeur, has been downtown Aurora’s anchor attraction since 1931.
Since launching its own Broadway Series in 2011, Paramount has amassed more than 40,000 subscribers, making it the largest subscription house in the U.S.
Paramount Theatre is one of five live performance venues overseen by the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) in downtown Aurora. ACCA also programs and manages Stolp Island Theatre, 5 E. Downer Place, Suite G, where its wildly acclaimed immersive production of Million Dollar Quartet has been running for more than a year; the 165-seat Copley Theatre, at 8 E. Galena in the North Island Center; the Paramount School of the Arts; and RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, downtown Aurora’s outdoor summer concert venue and home to Christkindlmarket Aurora.
Paramount Theatre is overseen by Tim Rater, President and CEO, Aurora Civic Center Authority; Jim Corti, Artistic Director, Paramount Theatre; a dedicated Board of Trustees and a devoted staff of live theater and music professionals.
For the latest updates, visit ParamountAurora.com or follow @paramountaurora on Facebook and Instagram, and Paramount Theatre on LinkedIn.