Shirley Jones, the Academy Award-winning star of classics including “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel,” “The Music Man,” “Elmer Gantry” and hundreds of other film, stage and television appearances, will join the 32-piece Hollywood Concert Orchestra for a night saluting the greatest music composed for and used in Hollywood films.

“A Night at the Oscars” is a one-night-only event presented by the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., in Aurora Thursday, March 4 (four nights before the 2010 Academy Awards presentation).  Tickets are now on sale.

The program will feature songs from several of Jones’ classic films, as well as symphonic presentations of the scores from Academy Award-winning and nominated films including “Gone with the Wind,” “The Sting,” “West Side Story,” “Forrest Gump,” “Shindler’s List,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Cowboys,” “Titanic” and “An American in Paris.”  Joining Jones on stage are acclaimed tenor John D. Smitherman and soprano Niffer Clarke.  Jones also will reminisce about her illustrious career and take questions from the audience.

Shirley Jones has made her mark for more than 50 years, appearing in films, on stage and television.  Born in tiny Smithton, Pa. (pop. 877), the feisty and precocious Shirley Mae showed signs of a particularly mellow vocal range.  Her early career began with appearances at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.  In 1952, already enrolled in veterinary school, she was encouraged by a friend to audition for replacement chorus roles in the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical “South Pacific,” then on Broadway.  Jones’ performance of “The Best Things in Life are Free,” led an unidentified voice at the back of the theater to remark “Thank you Miss Jones,… If you don’t mind, I’d like to call my partner, Mr. Hammerstein, and ask that he come down and hear you.” Beckoned by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II arrived and Jones became the first and only person put under a “personal management” contract to the Rodgers & Hammerstein partners.  Less than a year later, Shirley Mae Jones was screen-testing in Hollywood for the super-coveted role of Laurie in the film version of “Oklahoma!” (along with the heavyweight likes of Kathryn Grayson, Debbie Reynolds and Jane Powell). Many classic films followed including “Carousel,” “The Music Man,” “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father,” “April Love,” and her Oscar-winning role as Lulu Baines in “Elmer Gantry.”  Her appearances as the harried head of “The Partridge Family” introduced her to new audiences, and she has gone on to perform extensively on Broadway (in productions of “Maggie Flynn” and “42nd Street,” alongside her son, David Cassidy) in symphonic concerts and as a guest star on many television shows.

The Hollywood Concert Orchestra, an ensemble of 32 of America’s finest musicians, is rapidly earning a reputation as one of the premier musical ensembles in the world. With its unique presentation of the latest TV, movie and Broadway themes written, arranged especially for the orchestra, Hollywood Concert Orchestra features the best and brightest guest artists and soloists in lively and entertaining performances.  Under the direction of John Giattino, the orchestra has presented many acclaimed concerts throughout the United States and Asia.

“A Night at the Oscars” starring Shirley Jones is being presented Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets for the concert are $30.50 and are available by calling the Paramount Theatre box office at 630.896.6666 or online through Ticketmaster.  The Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora. Box office hours are Tues – Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.