The Harris Theater Announces Their Holiday Shows And Events

This December, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance will celebrate the holidays with a full schedule of events, offering something for everyone!

Holiday "traditionalists" will enjoy Music of the Baroque's performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio; Holiday Pops; the Apollo Chorus' performance of the Handel Messiah; and for those who like to participate, the Bank of America's Do-It-Yourself Messiah.

Looking for a different spin on the holidays? Legendary cult filmmaker, actor, writer and originator of the Hairspray dynasty John Waters will put the "X" back in "Xmas" with his decidedly untraditional A John Waters Christmas.

Families will enjoy the Chicago Children's Choir's Songs of the Season; Midwest Young Artists' Be Festive!; and a performance by HS2 (Hubbard Street 2).

And finally, those looking for an escape from holiday events will enjoy exciting performances Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and MusicNOW.

Tickets for these performances are on-sale and available at the Harris Theater box office located in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph Dr., by calling 312-334-7777 or by visiting www.harristheaterchicago.org.

Program information for the month of December at the Harris Theater is as follows:

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Thursday, December 2, 7:30 pm
Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4, 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 5, 3:00 pm
Tickets start at $25

The Winter Series includes the return of Petite Mort by master choreographer Jirí Kylián; Tabula Rasa by Ohad Naharin, set to the striking music of Arvo Pärt; a U.S. premiere by Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo; and a world premiere created for Hubbard Street 2.

HS2 Family Matinee
Saturday, December 4, 3:00 pm
Tickets $5

The Winter Series includes the return of Petite Mort by master choreographer Jirí Kylián; Tabula Rasa by Ohad Naharin, set to the striking music of Arvo Pärt; a U.S. premiere by Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo; and a world premiere created for Hubbard Street 2.

Music of the Baroque:
Christmas Oratorio
Tuesday, December 7, 7:30 pm
Tickets $30 - $75

Jane Glover, conductor
Music of the Baroque Chorus and Orchestra
Lisa Saffer, soprano
Jennifer Riveria, mezzo-soprano
Paul Agnew, tenor
Sanford Sylan, baritone

From the heaven-storming timpani of the opening chorus, the Christmas story unfolds in a dramatic narrative, moving arias, and inspiring chorales.

J. S. Bach Christmas Oratorio (Weinachtsoratorium)

Holiday Pops
Wednesday, December 8, 7:00 pm
Tickets $20 - $50

The Holiday Pops Chorus and the Southport Big Band Swing Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Scott Arkenberg, perform the best-loved holiday music and songs of the season.

Chicago Children's Choir:
Songs of the Season
Sunday, December 12, 3:00 pm
Tickets $15 - $60

Celebrate the season with Chicago Children's Choir! Under the direction of Josephine Lee, the Emmy Award-winning Concert Choir will inspire you and your family with songs from around the world.

MusicNOW
Monday, December 13, 7:00 pm
Tickets $10 - $20

Cliff Colnot, conductor
Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Mason Bates and Anna Clyne, Mead Composers-in-Residence

Campion Corail
Bermel Three Rivers
Pristini Spell
Eckardt Tangled Loops
Mackey Micro-Concerto

John Waters
A John Waters Christmas*
Tuesday, December 14, 7:30 pm
Tickets $35 - $65

Legendary cult filmmaker, actor, writer and originator of the Hairspray dynasty, John Waters travels to the Windy City for the Chicago Premiere of his critically-acclaimed new one-man show, A John Waters Christmas. First performed in New York City, A John Waters Christmas aims to put the "X" back in Xmas, promising the same kitschy, campy aesthetic as Waters' movies. A John Waters Christmas will explore, explode and exploit traditional holiday customs, with Waters sharing his compulsions, desires and stories, including his urge to give and receive inappropriate gifts, a religious fanaticism for Santa Claus, and an unhealthy love of true crime holiday horror stories.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Waters rose to fame in the 1970s with trash films such as Polyester and Female Trouble featuring his regular troupe of actors known as Dreamlanders-among them Divine, Mink Stole, and Mary Vivian Pearce, as well as real-life criminals and infamous people-often committing what could be considered cinematic crimes. His 1988 film Hairspray brought him to the mainstream, and its adaptation as a long-running Broadway musical swept the 2003 Tony Awards, and formally secured his place in film and Broadway history. His other films include Cry Baby starring Johnny Depp, Serial Mom and Cecil B. Demented. A true artistic visionary, Waters is also known for his photo-based artwork and installations, many of which have been internationally exhibited in galleries and museums.

*Chicago Premiere

Midwest Young Artists
Be Festive!
Saturday, December 18, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Tickets $5 - $20

The award-winning Midwest Young Artists will be performing fun and recognizable Christmas and Hanukkah music during an action packed one-hour holiday extravaganza. The program includes familiar favorites that will delight family and friends such as Santa Baby, Holiday Overture and A Holly and Jolly Sing-Along among others. Hope to see you there!

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago
Handel's Messiah
Sunday, December 19, 3:00 pm
Tickets $35 - $55

Under the direction of Stephen Alltop, the Apollo Chorus of Chicago continues a tradition since 1879 of performing this beloved masterpiece in downtown Chicago. The 140-member Apollo Chorus of Chicago will be joined again this year by world-class soloists and first-rate musicians making up a stellar baroque orchestra.

Bank of America Do-It-Yourself Messiah
Monday, December 20 and Tuesday, December 21, 7:00pm
Tickets FREE

Celebrating its 35th annual performances in 2010, the Bank of America Do-It-Yourself Messiah returns to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park. The music of Handel comes to life in Chicago every Christmas with his magnificent Messiah performed by an audience of thousands, featuring world-class soloists and a full orchestra of local amateur musicians.

Tickets will be available at the Harris Theater Box Office beginning Monday, November 15 at 12 pm. Tickets are available by calling 312-334-7777 or in person at the Harris Theater Box Office located at 205 East Randolph Avenue, Chicago.

* * * All programs, prices and dates are subject to change. * * *

Opened in 2003, the Harris Theater's mission is to partner and collaborate with an array of Chicago's emerging and mid-sized performing arts organizations to help them build the resources and infrastructure necessary to achieve artistic growth and long-term organizational sustainability. The Harris Theater for Music and Dance was the first multi-use performing arts venue to be built in the Chicago downtown area since 1929 and today the Theater continues to host the most diverse offerings of any venue in Chicago, featuring the city's world-renowned music and dance institutions and the Harris Theater Presents series of acclaimed national and International Artists and ensembles. To learn more about the season at the Harris Theater, visit www.harristheaterchicago.org or call the box office at 312-334-7777 to request a brochure.

For additional information about the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Chicago's state-of-the art 1,470 seat performance venue, please visit www.harristheaterchicago.org.

The Harris Theater is pleased to announce that UBS is serving as the 2010-2011 Season Sponsor.

The Harris Theater gratefully acknowledges the Irving Harris Foundation for its leadership support of the Presenting Fund.

United Airlines is the Official Airline of the Harris Theater.

The Harris Theater gratefully acknowledges The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's support of the theater's collaborative partnerships.

The Harris Theater is partially supported by the CityArts Program 4 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

 

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