Musical melding of spirit: 'Too Hot to Handel' heats up this weekend at Chicago Auditorium Theatre

Soloist Rodrick Dixon says describing every creative aspect used to create "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah" is almost like describing how all of the stars in heaven create the night's sky.

"It's such a joyous and amazing musical event, that not only brings together different types of music, but also different people, it's much like trying to explain how paint and passion become art on a canvas," said Dixon, who in the past has performed several roles with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and appeared in Broadway's "Ragtime," as well as the revival of "Show Boat" at the Auditorium Theatre.

The annual event is being held this weekend in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre.

"This is my seventh year and it's always a moving musical event," Dixon said.

Since its 2005 Chicago debut at ATRU, "Too Hot to Handel" has continued to grow in popularity each year.

Joining tenor Rodrick Dixon is his soprano wife Alfreda Burke, also reprising her hailed performance for the seventh consecutive year. This year, they will once again be joined by alto Karen Marie Richardson, who has electrified audiences with her performances the past two years. All three soloists are from Chicago. 

"The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University is proud to support the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through one of the jazziest, most swinging ‘Messiahs' that our audience will ever hear," Batterson said.

"Too Hot to Handel" shapes George Frederic Handel's beloved "Messiah" masterpiece into an active listening experience.

Joining the soloists on stage are 200 additional musicians, including 150 voices of the city-wide Too Hot Choir under the direction of Old St. Patrick's Church's Bill Fraher, along with a 50-piece symphony orchestra and a jazz ensemble under the baton of conductor Suzanne Mallare Acton.

"Too Hot To Handel" grew from an idea from composers Gary Anderson and Bob Christianson, who originally created this jazz-gospel adaptation in 1992. Since then, this soulful work has uplifted audiences in cities throughout the United States.

Brett Batterson, executive director of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, had the idea seven years ago to bring the event to Chicago after he accepted his position with the theater.

"We use this event as a great way to reach young people with a musical message," Dixon said. "Today's (Jan. 13) performance includes a student matinee available only to elementary through high school student groups who have created lesson plans to incorporate this event into their studies, from inspiring poetry and essays to recitals."

Dixon also said the location of the concert at the historic Chicago venue adds to the experience.

"The Auditorium Theatre was constructed at a time in our country when these huge and beautifully ornate performance spaces were just emerging, such as Carnegie Hall," Dixon said.

"Our annual performance of this event is just another part of this wonderful history and the important lessons and messages shared with new generations."