Auditorium Theatre Adds to Grupo Corpo, 'Made in Chicago' Series & More to 125th Anniversary Season

As the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, led by Executive Director Brett Batterson, celebrates its milestone 125th Anniversary, more exciting announcements are made for the 2014 - 15 Season beginning September 2014. Adding to the breadth of diverse International Dance, contemporary Brazilian dance company, Grupo Corpo makes their Chicago debut on the Auditorium's landmark stage. In addition to dance from around the world, the Auditorium will also celebrate the abundance of talent that Chicago offers with the "Made in Chicago" Dance Series, now featuring eight diverse companies with the addition of "Chicago Rhythm Fest." More music will fill the theatre as well with the addition of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic's "CJP @ Ten" and Ron Hawking's "His Way," a celebration of Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday to the "Made in Chicago" Music Series.

International Dance Series
Making their Chicago debut, Grupo Corpo, led by Artistic Director Paulo Pederneiras and Choreographer Rodrigo Pederneiras, will bring two innovative, enthralling pieces to the Auditorium February 28 and March 1, 2015. Melding traditional Brazilian dance with western contemporary movement, Grupo Corpo presents "Sem Mim," set to the original soundtrack by Spanish musician and composer Carlos Núñez and Brazilian composer José Miguel Wisnik, as well as "Onqotô"-also set to original music by José Miguel Wisnik along with Caetano Veloso-created from an on-going conversation debating the creation of the universe.

"It has always been a dream to bring Grupo Corpo to Chicago and to finally do so at the Auditorium Theatre during their 125th Anniversary Season exceeds our wildest expectations," said Grupo Corpo Artistic Director Paulo Pederneiras. "The Auditorium offers such a unique atmosphere to view dance and we are so thrilled that Chicago audiences will be able to experience the colorful, rhythmic, passionate performances of our multi-faceted dancers."

The full 2014 - 15 International Dance Series includes the previously announced American Ballet Theatre (October 3 - 5, 2014), Dance Theatre of Harlem (November 21 - 23, 2014), Tango Buenos Aires (January 25, 2015), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (March 6 - March 15, 2015), The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg's "Tender is the Night" (May 8 - May 10, 2015) and The Royal Ballet Theatre's "Don Quixote" (June 18 - 21, 2015).

"Made in Chicago" Dance Series
Adding to the celebration of dance within the Chicago community and celebrating National Tap Dance Day (NTDD), Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) creates "Chicago Rhythm Fest" featuring its resident ensemble BAM!, with Trinity Irish Dance Company, Mexican Dance Ensemble, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago and Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater as part of the "Made in Chicago" Dance Series with a one-night-only performance May 6, 2015. Established in 1989, NTDD (celebrated throughout the entire month of May), extols the combination of Irish and African traditions in American tap as exemplifying the American experience and lauds the extraordinary possibilities inherent in cultural understanding. This citywide celebration will re-imagine CHRP's inaugural NTDD concert performed 25 years ago and will conclude the "Made in Chicago" Dance Series.

"Chicago Human Rhythm Project is thrilled to be a part of the Auditorium Theatre's 125th Anniversary season just as we celebrate our own 25th Anniversary, said CHRP Artistic Director Lane Alexander. "We are just as thrilled to bring American tap and Chicago's wildly diverse percussive dance community together for a ground shaking tribute to both of these milestones. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and thanks to Brett Batterson and everyone at the Auditorium Theatre who deserve great credit for their tireless efforts to present world class artists not only from around the world, but from around Chicago."

CHRP joins previously announced Chicago companies Thodos Dance Chicago (November 29, 2014), Giordano Dance Chicago (January 31, 2015) and River North Dance Chicago (March 28, 2015).

"Made in Chicago" Music Series
Paying tribute to Chicago's vibrant music scene, the "Made in Chicago" Music Series highlights the wide range of musical talent that can be found within all genres throughout the city. Celebrating their own 10th Anniversary, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP) returns to the Auditorium Theatre November 14, 2014 with "CJP @ Ten," a montage of favorite moments from past performances as well as new work representing the future of CJP. The 60-piece orchestra and special guests (still to be announced), will perform Artistic Director Orbert Davis' acclaimed arrangements and compositions honoring Ella Fitzgerald, Nelson Mandela, and the Chicago River, while showing CJP's signature style of effortlessly combining classical music and jazz.

"CJP has been acknowledged as one of America's definitive orchestras, performing music that crosses the supposed boundaries between jazz and classical genres. We are thrilled to be celebrating not only that but our 10th Anniversary at the Auditorium Theatre, where we've had so many wonderful moments, with truly terrific audiences," said CJP Artistic Director Orbert Davis. "In a way, it's like coming home. There is probably no better place to celebrate our past - and look towards our future - than at this historic venue."

"His Way - Sinatra's Centennial Celebration" will close the "Made in Chicago" Music Series on May 30, 2015. "Ron Hawking has the hit-of-a-lifetime on his hands...and best of all he's doing it his way," hailed the "Chicago Tribune" when Hawking premiered "His Way" in 1998. In honor of Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday, to whom the production is dedicated, Hawking revives one of Chicago's longest running shows on the Auditorium Theatre's historic stage along with the musical styling of the "His Way" orchestra.

"CJP @ Ten" and "His Way" join previously announced music performances "On Stage With....Susan Werner" (November 8, 2014) and the 10th Anniversary of "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah" (January 17 - 18, 2015).

Additional 125th Anniversary Series and Events
In addition to the International Dance Series, "Made in Chicago" Dance Series and "Made in Chicago" Music Series, the Anniversary season will include a free "Made in Chicago" Film Series dedicated to Chicago films. The theatre will also present Special Community Outreach programming including the Preservation Snapshots Lecture Series, an in-depth architectural lecture series in collaboration with Landmarks Illinois; plus many more collaborations with Chicago's premiere cultural institutions throughout the season.

Highlighting the Anniversary celebration is a special Gala performance on December 9, 2014, exactly 125 years from when the Auditorium Theatre's doors opened in 1889. The evening will host Chicago's premiere cultural institutions including members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, singers from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as The Apollo Chorus - who participated in the opening night of the theatre 125 years ago. These world-renowned organizations join the legendary Patti LuPone-whose great-grand aunt, Madam Adelina Patti, sang during the December 9, 1889 opening night at the Auditorium-to celebrate the rich history and the night that put Chicago on the world's stage. The Gala performance will be followed by a celebratory dinner at the Palmer House Hilton.

Subscriptions will go on sale in April of 2014. On-sale dates for tickets to individual performances will be announced later this summer.

For more information, visit AuditoriumTheatre.org/125.

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