Monthly Archives: January 2015
Puppetry Goes Wilde
The Selfish Giant – Chicago Childrens Theatre
Upon returning from a visit with relatives, a docile, loner of a Giant becomes annoyed when he finds children playing in his enormous
Read MoreToo Hot to Handel
AUDITORIUM THEATRE PRESENTS: TOO HOT TO HANDEL
THE JAZZ-GOSPEL MESSIAH
JANUARY 17-18
REVIEWED BY: DR. MADISON SAMPLE
I also have a dream. One day, black and white men, Jew and Gentiles, male and female, and those of different backgrounds and faiths will come together and speak the universal language of music. If Dr Martin Luther King were here now, he would be very pleased. The experience is one of great music of different categories and styles.
I did not anticipate hearing straight ahead jazz, cool jazz, Big Band, classical, traditional gospel and mood music in one night! I felt cheated that I missed the previous years of such a grand experience.
This weekend is the 125th anniversary of the Auditorium theater at Roosevelt University. The architecture is fully grand. It has housed several diverse acts throughout its history, but never in one night.
“Too Hot to Handel” also is produced as a tribute to Dr Martin Luther King. He tirelessly dedicated his life to the furtherance of man and the ideal of humanity trumping ethnicity. I believe this collaboration provides such an example of his living dream.
The singer soloist– Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke and Karen Marie Richardson were all fantastic. Not only were the vocal notes pure musicianship but full of soul you could touch. The orchestra and background chorus filled the auditorium with a sweet aroma of enjoyment and expectation for more.
This is my first Too Hot to Handel, but certainly not my last.
Madison
Keeping It Fresh
Plastic Revolution – The New Colony
It’s 1950 and the Donna Reed/June Cleaver-inspired housewives are back and ready to burp those plastic food storage containers all over
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The Air is Humming…
West Side Story – Drury Lane Oakbrook
It’s been a while since the Chicago area has enjoyed a local production of this American classic, a show that reinvented musical theatre
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We Tell the Stories
Mr. Burns – Theatre Wit
If and when the world comes to an end, people will be left with little, except recollections and fond memories from popular culture,
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Judgement Not Allowed
Handicap This! – Step Up Productions
Most people don’t realize that the largest group of minorities in the nation are those who fall under the category of being handicapped. It’s
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My Funny Valentine of Love
The Rose Tattoo – Shattered Globe Theatre
When recalling the more than two dozen plays penned by Tennessee Williams, the term “humorous” doesn’t usually come to mind. Yet of
Read MoreNothing to Fear
Scary Tales 2015 – Clock Productions
A 75-minute evening consisting of seven short stories, linked together by a title that indicates there will be shivers and chills galore, is a
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Elevated Ladies
Top Girls – Arc Theatre
If given the opportunity to ask any famous person from history to dinner, who would you invite? To celebrate her big promotion at the Top
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The Pinball Wizard’s a Winner
The Who’s Tommy – Paramount Arts Center
Jim Corti has directed yet another winning production and a cause for celebration, Aurora’s magnificently beautiful Paramount Theatre.
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