Every landmark building needs a foundation...
...a source of strength that helps shoulder the burden
...and a base of support upon which the structure must rest.
In each issue of "The Curtain Speech" this section will highlight some of the Auditorium Theatre's cornerstones--individuals, corporations, and foundations whose support has been especially heartwarming. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and their kindness. And we want to acknowledge their efforts because they are instrumental in helping our National Historic Landmark persevere, prosper, and grow.
These are compassionate people, responsible corporations, and philanthropic institutions.
This month, meet the "Friends of Too Hot to Handel."
Why Freeze...when you can burn?
On January 17 and 18, the Auditorium Theatre celebrated the tenth engagement of one of our most critically-acclaimed and eagerly awaited events of the year, "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah."
This unique, self-produced musical experience seamlessly fuses jazz, blues, and gospel with Handel's classic oratorio. "Too Hot to Handel" is a true celebration of diversity held each year in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, a production that features over 150 musicians and volunteer choir members and is exquisitely performed by Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke, and Karen Marie Richardson. In addition to a student matinee performance attended by over 2,000 Chicago Public School children, outreach activities held in concurrence with this kinetic musical event include: residency programs, master classes, and a citywide poetry contest for students throughout Chicago. The community involvement coupled with such exceptional talent makes "Too Hot to Handel" one of the Auditorium Theatre's most anticipated events of the season.
THTH by Dan Rest.
...a source of strength that helps shoulder the burden
...and a base of support upon which the structure must rest.
In each issue of "The Curtain Speech" this section will highlight some of the Auditorium Theatre's cornerstones--individuals, corporations, and foundations whose support has been especially heartwarming. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and their kindness. And we want to acknowledge their efforts because they are instrumental in helping our National Historic Landmark persevere, prosper, and grow.
These are compassionate people, responsible corporations, and philanthropic institutions.
These are friends just
like you.
These are our
cornerstones.
This month, meet the "Friends of Too Hot to Handel."
Why Freeze...when you can burn?
On January 17 and 18, the Auditorium Theatre celebrated the tenth engagement of one of our most critically-acclaimed and eagerly awaited events of the year, "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah."
This unique, self-produced musical experience seamlessly fuses jazz, blues, and gospel with Handel's classic oratorio. "Too Hot to Handel" is a true celebration of diversity held each year in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, a production that features over 150 musicians and volunteer choir members and is exquisitely performed by Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke, and Karen Marie Richardson. In addition to a student matinee performance attended by over 2,000 Chicago Public School children, outreach activities held in concurrence with this kinetic musical event include: residency programs, master classes, and a citywide poetry contest for students throughout Chicago. The community involvement coupled with such exceptional talent makes "Too Hot to Handel" one of the Auditorium Theatre's most anticipated events of the season.
Of course, none of
this production's considerable success could be possible without the support of
some generous and treasured friends. We are honored to thank Exelon, JP
Morgan Chase, the Illinois Arts Council, the Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation,
the PrivateBank, and William and Shelley Farley for their gracious sponsorship of this one-of-a-kind
performance.
We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to the "Friends of Too Hot to Handel," a collection of gracious individuals whose kindness and sacrifice are essential to the success of this production each year.
We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to the "Friends of Too Hot to Handel," a collection of gracious individuals whose kindness and sacrifice are essential to the success of this production each year.
- Eric and Linda McGill Boasmond
- Tammy and Rob Campbell
- Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner
- William and Shelley Farley
- Franczek Radelet
- Mel and Renee Katten
- Pamela G. Meyer
- David and Margaret Radelet
- Dr. Eugene Thomas
- Nike Whitcomb McKechnie and the late James A. McKechnie, Jr.
- Dave Samber and Darrell Windle
Their assistance helped make this the most successful year of
"Too Hot to Handel" yet--and we anxiously await the opportunity to
share this riveting experience with new audience members next season.
To learn more about
how you can join the “Friends of Too Hot to Handel,” call (312) 341-2397, or
email jagreen@auditoriumtheatre.org.
THTH by Dan Rest.
