Auditorium Theatre 2021-2022, Issue 2, Too Hot to Handel

22 | AUDITORIUM THEATRE :: 2021–22 SEASON Inspiring the next generation: The women of Too Hot to Handel Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah celebrates its 17 th year at the Auditorium Theatre in 2022! This uplifting, inspirational twist on George Frideric Handel’s classic Messiah features more than 100 musicians and singers, all coming together on stage to put their own unique spin on the 280-year oratorio. The Auditorium’s production of Too Hot would not be possible without the contributions of a number of incredibly talented, dedicated women: Soloists Alfreda Burke and Karen Marie Richardson, conductor Suzanne Mallare Acton, bassist Marion Hayden, and violinist and musical contractor Sylvia de la Cerna all took the time to tell us about their involvement with Too Hot , why they come back to the show year after year, and how this special event elevates women in the performing arts. How long have you been performing in or contributing to Too Hot ? Alfreda Burke [AB]: I’ve been involved with Too Hot in Chicago since its inception in the Auditorium Theatre boardroom with [then Executive Director] Brett Batterson and [current Auditorium Theatre CEO] Rich Regan in 2004 and Chicago premiere onstage 2006; and I’ve been performing in the production at Michigan Opera Theatre since 2002. Karen Marie Richardson [KMR]: My first year with Too Hot was 2010 in Chicago! Sylvia de la Cerna [SC]: I have been involved with the Too Hot production for 18 years. Marion Hayden [MH]: I’ve been a part of Too Hot since 2005, I believe —[I started with] the production in Detroit. Suzanne Mallare Acton [SMA]: I have been involved with the production of Too Hot to Handel for over 20 years. The work had been on my radar since 1998, but I could not find the music or a recording. When I conducted a Handel’s Messiah in 1999 in Detroit, I met Rod Dixon, who was the tenor soloist. He had just sung Too Hot in New York City and provided me with all the missing links. I began this long journey to present the work and have since conducted the Detroit premiere in 2002, the Auditorium Theatre premiere in 2006, and Memphis’ Orpheum Theatre premiere in 2018. You’ve all been involved with Too Hot for many years! What keeps you coming back to this production? SMA: Returning to the Auditorium is like an annual reunion with old friends, where you pick up where you left off and then ascend into newer heights together. There is a magic synergy on the stage with Rod, Alfreda, Karen Marie, the orchestra, and the choir, and how that synergy is returned to us from the audience is indescribable. It is a work that no matter how many times I conduct it, it is never the same and always leaves me with joy. AB: What keeps me coming back to Too Hot is the powerful, uplifting and inspiring message and music of Handel’s Messiah reimagined. Too Hot incorporates diversity in genres, soli, orchestra, combo, choir, and audience members — all experiencing something electrifying, exciting, unique, unforgettable, and very special. I love this work, I love connecting with our gifted musicians and engaging our exuberant audiences. They are an intricate part of what’s happening onstage. Karen Marie Richardson Alfreda Burke Suzanne Mallare Acton Photos by Kristie Kahns.