Paramount Theatre to require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 when venue reopens next month

‘Kinky Boots’ will mark Paramount’s first indoor show since start of pandemic

Anyone who wants to attend the Aug. 18 opening of the Broadway show “Kinky Boots” at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora will have to prove they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The show will mark the first indoor show at the theater since the start of the pandemic. It will be the first in-person indoor show at the Paramount in the past 524 days.

In a post on the the theater’s website, President and CEO Tim Rater said current health guidance does not allow for unvaccinated patrons to attend indoor performances without a mask and 6 feet of social distancing.

“Social distancing in the Paramount Theatre is simply not possible,” Rater said.

As a result, he said, patrons will need to be fully vaccinated with an FDA emergency use authorized vaccine to attend a show, and they must show proof of vaccination at their time of entry into the theater. All Paramount Theatre staff, cast, musicians, ushers and crew also will be fully vaccinated, according to the post.

Children younger than 12 who are not currently eligible to receive a vaccine must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult and must wear a mask at all times. Children 3 and younger will not be admitted.

Those not planning to be fully vaccinated by the time of the performance are asked to contact Paramount Theatre’s box office at 630-896-6666 to determine their options. “Kinky Boots” is set to run at the Paramount Theatre through Oct. 17.

In June, Rater said the Paramount was considering requiring attendees to show proof of vaccination.

“Right now, vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks, they do not need to socially distance, but those that are not vaccinated are supposed to wear a mask and socially distance,” Rater said. “It’s not pragmatic to socially distance people in the Paramount because that kills almost 75% of our capacity if we were to do that. Rather than having 1,851 tickets, we would have about 440 if we were to socially distance the entire audience.”