Paramount Theatre — Attraction in Goldsboro

I just got back from a fantastic show! The Water Coolers were amazing--Broadway-level musical comedy that invited members of the audience on stage, had everybody laughing and repeating jokes in the lobby. The staff were friendly and helpful--offered lots of information about next year's season and other performances coming up, helped folks find their seats, asked at intermission how people were enjoying the show. There was a reception upstairs for sponsors with free wine, beer, and snacks (I'm a little jealous...wish it were in my budget to be a sponsor myself). The only reason I rate the appeal as "very good" is because I'm comparing to big cities where I attend other arts events--but for a theatre of its size and location, the Paramount absolutely outdoes itself with great performances for all ages and interests.

As far as the other review (below), I am curious when Ms. Graves last went to the Paramount--in the past month alone, it showcased NC Central's Jazz Ensemble, Shana Tucker (who was FANTASTIC--best concert of the year, for my money) on cello and jazz/R&B vocals, 9th Wonder's Fashion Show, a church play "The Pastor's Test," and most recently a production of Show Boat, which may have been the most moving exploration of racial tension in the Old South that theatre can provide. This is to say nothing of other productions before--Mike Wyly has performed multiple times, including school shows, and there was an American Idol-style gospel event last year.

I realize it's coming from a biased source--I attend as many events at the Paramount as I can every year--but truly: if you think there's not something "for you" at the Paramount, whatever your tastes may be, you just haven't looked for it. Next year's season has a bit of everything: puppeteering comedy, classical symphony, funk/R&B, Beatles, Southeastern indie/folk, and classic movies like Young Frankenstein and the Princess Bride. For everyone who complains that there's nothign to do in Goldsboro, you're on notice: the Paramount is ALWAYS something to do...

PLEASE BE ADVISED! This is meant as an informative review, not a "bad" review of the Paramount's 34th Annual Nutcracker. I took my niece, Mom and a friend to the Nutcracker, Saturday night's showing, as a 'get in the Christmas spirit' gift. We, along with other audience members, left at intermission. This performance was not what the subtitle, the advertisement or it's own review said it was. It is simply a recital, a local ballet class of teens and tweens along with whomever in the community that wants to participate. It is a low budget, poorly executed and choreographed, and way overpriced recital. I paid $77 of my very hard earned money (as I work extra around the holidays) for my near and dear to enjoy a night of Christmas cheer, to see a "famous" rendition of the 'Nutcracker'. Instead, we sat through only the first hour of a children's recital. After we all agreed to leave early, I apologized the entire way back for wasting their time, for telling them that it was a well-reviewed and professional (per Paramount's website) performance, and I regretted spending that money on an amateur pantomime/dance show that was clearly intended for the parents of the dancers that pay for their children's participation in said ballet class. The kids did a good job, a few did a great job. This is NOT a review of those children. Just FYI: If you have a child or grandchild, or a niece or nephew performing in this show then GO SEE! If you do not have a relative performing in the show and you're just looking for nice holiday entertainment, DO NOT SEE! As of today, I've submitted a request for a refund. Paramount mislead by it's description and by omission the caliber of this show; ie: "famous" - "original & exciting" - "75 dancers" - "marvelously imagined" - "praised by audiences". Absent was the fact that this is a children's recital. Parents pay for them to attend this ballet class kind of recital. Very disappointed, disenchanted...

I went there for a kids play so I'm not reflecting on that part. I am purely rating over the building and things outside of the play. This is a historic building built in 1882. I'm not sure how much was saved after the fire in 2005. The floors in the lobby and the bathroom itself look like the worse something for the 50s or 60s. The inside of the building honestly doesn't show much historic about it outside of a few things on the wall, a table, and a bench. The inside is extremely cold, but this might be because the people on stage needs it to be since they are active.

As far as the play itself. The music was a bit too loud at times.

Now the good. Seating was OK. From what it sounds like, the back stage is enough for the people that need it. The stage is large. The room where you watch it looks clean. It isn't fancy, but it is well kept up in the viewing area.

My biggest problem is outside of the viewing room. The prices are cheap and if I was into plays I would...