Auditorium Theatre 2019-2020 Trinity Irish Dance Company

January 18 - March 8, 2020 | AUDITORIUM THEATRE 2019-20 | 9 Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah takes place at the Auditorium Theatre on January 18 @ 7:30PM and January 19 @ 3PM, with a Student Matinee on January 17. The Allstate Team ( Too Hot Educational Outreach Sponsor): “ Too Hot is terrific entertainment that inspires and educates while celebrating the diversity of its audience and our city. Best of all, it brings forth Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of the ’beloved community,’ a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one’s fellow human beings. Allstate is proud to support programs like those offered by the Auditorium Theatre that empower future generations to make a difference in their communities, proving that good starts young — and it starts now.” Sean Mallory ( Too Hot choir member): “There are so many things about the Too Hot experience that have become a tradition in my life as I reunite with people who have become my choir family each year. In celebrating Dr. King’s life and legacy, singing this piece draws so many people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences, but for two hours, all minds are on one accord. When everyone dances and sings along to the ‘Hallelujah!’ chorus, I think of that as the highest form of praise and it chokes me up every time.” Peggy and Dave Radelet (Members of Friends of Too Hot , a dedicated group of people who financially support the production annually): “Music drew us to Too Hot to Handel . Its powerful, uplifting, pulsating rhythms made our hearts soar. The soloists’ voices and cadence set our souls aflame. But we’ve grown to love Too Hot because it has inspired a loving, dynamic community to which we now belong. “Hotties' aren’t just audience members who return yearly to witness a performance of Handel’s Messiah on steroids. We’re a diverse and enlightened family; an eclectic people who celebrate what’s best about humanity: love, acceptance, inclusion, hope, and redemption.” Jackie Roberson ( Too Hot choir member): “ Too Hot binds us all together regardless of our backgrounds and who we are. It speaks every language and truly portrays the dream that Dr. King had of us all coming together as one, not seeing race, color, creed, or origin. I love the sense of community that is felt. That energy gives you life and reminds you that the world is a better place because we can make a difference, if only for that one moment in time.” Alvin Waddles ( Too Hot pianist): “My family and my faith are both very important to me and the Too Hot experience embodies both of those passions. Each year when we gather it's like a family reunion — the joy and fellowship are palpable and encouraging. I also love working with talented instrumentalists and singers and the level of talent on stage for Too Hot is astounding. We listen to each other, feed off of one another’s energy, and, together, create a unique experience that is always new and inspiring." Kathy Bliss (Auditorium Theatre sta¤): “Why do I look forward to attending Too Hot this year, even though I’ve seen it more than 30 times? Because the production is never the same. While the rich text and powerful yet unconventional score are my comforting constants, the experience is always different. When the joyful ’Hallelujah!’ chorus signals the journey is coming to an end, there is a renewed hope knowing you have been enlightened, and at that moment when all is good, you want to hold on to that feeling.” Bill Fraher ( Too Hot choir director): “ Too Hot is so important to me because the music and the program brings together so many different kinds of people in an organic way. We are joined together around the music and all differences fade into the background. And I so enjoy the many different kinds of music in Too Hot — from gospel to spiritual to funk or island music. I love the performers, from the soloists to the jazz combo to the orchestra to the choir to the maestro. I love the energy of all those people on the stage. And I love the audience and the interaction between the stage and the theatre. There is a back and forth, an energy between the two feeding off one another.” Linetta Taylor ( Too Hot Ambassador and choir member): “ Too Hot speaks to my spirit, resonates to my soul, and my entire being. It gives me wings to soar in a world that sometimes can weigh one down. It has been the way I start each new year for the past 11 years. I love that it brings people of all denominations, races, creeds and walks of life together. Whether it is on the stage or in the audience when the music starts, we all become one.” Karen Marie Richardson ( Too Hot soloist): “ Too Hot is important for me because it is an amazingly creative way not only to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but also a way to tell a story that has transcended time using different musical genres. For me, I pour my life experience into the stories and allow it to color my storytelling depending on how I understand the words, and that will always be different each season. Therefore, the understanding of the listener will change each season.” Chris Dorsey (Auditorium Theatre sta¤): “You can take many great things from Too Hot , but what I love the most is the diversity of the singers, musicians, and the audience! Individuals from all walks of life, coming together under one roof (well, golden arches) to have a great time and enjoy the same thing: ‘triumphant music’! It gives us a glimpse of how and what the world should be!”