Alfreda Burke

Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Parsons Dance & More Set for Auditorium Theatre 24-25 Season

Auditorium Theatre has unveiled its 24-25 season. Learn about the productions and see how to purchase tickets.

Individual Concert Tickets For South Dakota Symphony Orchestra's 2023-24 Season On Sale Friday, August 25

Today the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra announced that individual concert tickets to the 2023-24 season, its 102nd and 20th under the artistic leadership of Delta David Gier, will go on sale Friday, August 25. 

GREAT PERFORMANCES to Spotlight American Composers Inspired by Their Cultural Heritage in NOW HEAR THIS

Follow celebrated violinist and conductor Scott Yoo as he travels the United States to uncover the musical influences of some of America’s most prominent composers — Amy Beach, Florence Price and Aaron Copland — in of the third season of Great Performances: Now Hear This.

The Auditorium Theatre to Present 17th Year Of TOO HOT TO HANDEL: THE JAZZ-GOSPEL MESSIAH

The Auditorium Theatre will present Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah, an annual tradition performed over Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend on January 15 and 16.

Auditorium Theatre Announces 2021-22 Season

The Auditorium Theatre has announced its 2021-22 Season, with Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater officially reopening the historic stage on October 16, 2021. Subscriptions are now on sale, and tickets to individual productions will go on sale on August 13 and October 27.

Virtual Theatre Today: Friday, December 4 with Michael James Scott, Isaac Mizrahi and More!

Today (December 4) in live streaming: Michael James Scott visits Backstage Live, Isaac Mizrahi in concert, and so much more!

Alfreda Burke and Rodrick Dixon Perform In HUMANITY RISING: NOTRE-DAME REBORN

Chicago's own Alfreda Burke and Rodrick Dixon will perform in this virtual gala benefiting the rebuilding and restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Burke and Dixon have starred in the Auditorium Theatre's annual production of Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah since the show began 16 years ago.

RAVINIATV Airs Eleventh Episode This Friday

The eleventh episode of RaviniaTV airs this Friday, September 11, at 7 p.m. CDT on Ravinia’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Regional Spotlight: How the Auditorium Theatre is Working Through The Global Health Crisis

Today we shine a spotlight on Chicago's Auditorium Theatre with CEO, Rich Regan.

Auditorium Theatre Launches Online Performance Series And Video Conversations

This week, the Auditorium Theatre is launching two online series, plus additional online content, while the theatre is closed to the public due to COVID-19.

TOO HOT TO HANDEL: THE JAZZ-GOSPEL MESSIAH is Coming to the Auditorium Theatre

The Auditorium Theatre's signature production Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah celebrates 15 years in Chicago, and is one of the first performances to kick off the Year of Chicago Music, on January 18 and 19, 2020, in addition to a special Student Matinee performance on January 17. The jazz-gospel twist on George Frideric Handel's classic Messiah oratorio premiered at the Auditorium in 2006, and has been inspiring and uplifting audiences ever since.

Joffrey Ballet, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE, And More Announced At The Auditorium Theatre

See the full schedule of events coming up The Auditorium Theatre now through May 5, 2020.

TOO HOT TO HANDEL Celebrates 15 Years In Chicago

The Auditorium Theatre's signature production Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah celebrates 15 years in Chicago, and is one of the first performances to kick off the Year of Chicago Music, on January 18 and 19, 2020, in addition to a special Student Matinee performance on January 17. The jazz-gospel twist on George Frideric Handel's classic Messiah oratorio premiered at the Auditorium in 2006, and has been inspiring and uplifting audiences ever since.

Chicago Performers Commemorate Stephen Sondheim on November 16

On November 16, 2019, the Auditorium Theatre continues its 130th anniversary season with a salute to the living legend Stephen Sondheim in a one-night-only event, directed and produced by local cabaret star Joan Curto.

Chicago Theatres Ring In 2019 With An Exciting Lineup

The Chicago theatre community will ring in 2019 with major events, getting the Year of Chicago Theatre off to an exciting start.

Auditorium Brings TOO HOT TO HANDEL: THE JAZZ-GOSPEL MESSIAH Beyond The Stage

The Auditorium Theatre is proud to continue to extend the impact of its signature show Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah beyond the stage with programs offered to schools, community groups, and correctional facilities. Too Hot, hosted annually on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend in honor of his life and legacy, is a joyous, uplifting show that puts a jazz, gospel, rock, and blues twist on Handel's classic Messiah oratorio. The production features soloists Rodrick Dixon (tenor), Alfreda Burke (soprano), Karen Marie Richardson (alto), the famed Detroit pianist Alvin Waddles, a 100-person choir, an orchestra, and a jazz combo.

Highlights from 2018 at the Auditorium Theatre

In the Auditorium Theatre's 129th year of existence, we honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 13th annual Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah; asked "What's This?" on Halloween with a special screening and the Midwest premiere of Disney in Concert's The Nightmare Before Christmas; and sang along to timeless classics like "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" and "Grease" with Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. We reveled alongside the dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; celebrated Ballet Nacional de Cuba's return to Chicago following a 15-year absence; highlighted top local dance companies, including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Giordano Dance Chicago; and got transported to Mexico with the colorful music and dance of Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez. We also hosted the 14th  year of our Hearts to Art summer camp, a performing arts camp for young people who have experienced the death of a parent; welcomed over 5,000 students to our Student Matinees; and brought thousands of people from across the city to the theatre through our ADMIT ONE program.

TOO HOT TO HANDEL: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah Celebrates Community At The Auditorium Theatre

For the 14th consecutive year, the Auditorium Theatre proudly presents Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah over Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend. Celebrating Dr. King's vision of "beloved community" - a world without poverty, bigotry, and violence - Too Hot is a true Chicago show that unites people from all across the city as they sing, dance, and clap along with the performers. 

Auditorium Theatre Announces 2018-19 Season

Chief Executive Officer Tania Castroverde Moskalenko announces the Auditorium Theatre's 2018-19 Season, which includes exciting premieres, inspiring speakers, innovative contemporary artists, and legendary performers.

Michigan Opera Theatre Announces 2018-19 Opera Season, Celebrates Literary Masterworks

Michigan Opera Theatre CEO and President Wayne S. Brown and Principal Conductor Stephen Lord today announced the company's 2018-19 opera season.  MOT's 48th opera season will be the second under Lord's artistic leadership and celebrates masterworks of literature turned opera, with "Eugene Onegin" (Pyotr Tchaikovsky), "Candide" (Leonard Bernstein) and "The Grapes of Wrath" (Ricky Ian Gordon/Michael Korie). The season also includes a staple of the opera repertoire, "The Barber of Seville" (Gioachino Rossini) and a fairytale opera, "Hansel and Gretel" (Engelbert Humperdinck). The season begins Sept. 29 with a gala concert featuring opera superstar Renee Fleming.