Harris Theater Will Celebrate The Holidays With Jennifer Holliday, 12/7

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 the Apollo Chorus' annual performance of Handel's Messiah, or the opportunity to sing the work themselves with the Do-It-Yourself Messiah; as well as a rare appearance by Broadway's original "Dreamgirl" Jennifer Holliday, who will celebrate the holidays at the Harris in a special one night only performance with the Soul Children of Chicago.

Families will enjoy Chicago Children's Choir's Songs of the Season; and Hubbard Street 2's smash hit Harold and the Purple Crayon: A Dance Adventure-back by popular demand after a sold-out engagement last season.

Those looking for a break from holiday events will enjoy exciting performances from MusicNOW; Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, celebrating their 15th anniversary season; and Surround Sound of Fashion 2011 presented by Power 92.3 & J-BEES.

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.

Complete program information for the month of December 2011 at the Harris Theater is as follows:

Hubbard Street 2
Harold and the Purple Crayon: A Dance Adventure
Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Tickets start at $15

Harold and the Purple Crayon: A Dance Adventure is back by popular demand! Last performed to a sold out audience in 2010, Hubbard Street 2 will revive this critically acclaimed family program inspired by a classic children's book; Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon tells the story of a young boy named Harold, who, equipped with his purple crayon and an infinite imagination, choreographs his own adventures.

Children (ages 4+) and their families can help create Harold's next adventure through their own exploration of movement in this hour-long interactive dance experience. Premiered in November 2010, this celebrated piece was choreographed by Hubbard Street Artistic Associate Terence Marling and Hubbard Street dancer Robyn Mineko Williams, directed by HS2 Director Taryn Kashock Russell, and features music by Chicago Indie rocker Andrew Bird.

Jennifer Holliday
with the Soul Children of Chicago
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Tickets: $35 - $55

Celebrate the holidays with Broadway's original "Dreamgirl!" Possessing one of the biggest and most extraordinary of all Soul voices, the Tony and Grammy Award-winner will bring audiences to their feet with her dynamite gospel ballad and show-stopping rendition of the defiant anthem "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" - the hallmark of the musical Dreamgirls. Joined by the Soul Children of Chicago, you won't want to miss this special one-night-only performance!

 

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater

Friday, December 9, 2011 at 8:00 pm

Tickets: $32 - $65

The premiere of Chicago Women of Song highlights Deeply Rooted's 15th Anniversary Season Finale and evokes the diverse musical heritage behind the company's soul stirring, technically dazzling performances. Other new works, repertory classics and celebrity guests highlight this benefit event.

 

Chicago Children's Choir
Songs of the Season with special guest Nicole Cabell
Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 3:00 pm

Tickets: $15 - $65

Celebrate the season with Chicago Children's Choir! Under the direction of Josephine Lee, the Emmy Award-winning Concert Choir is joined by acclaimed soprano Nicole Cabell for an unforgettable afternoon of holiday classics and much more.

MusicNOW

Monday, December 12, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Tickets: $22

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Mason Bates and Anna Clyne, Mead Composers-in-Residence

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Wolfe Dig Deep

Cheung Enjamb, Infuse, Implode

Kernis da l'Arte Della Danssar

Hyla The Dream of Innocent III

Clyne Within Her Arms

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago brings their distinctive choreography to the MusicNOW series for the first time. Alongside Anna Clyne's ethereal Within Her Arms and-hot off the press!-a major new chamber work by Aaron Kernis, the program also features energetic works by Julia Wolfe of the Bang on a Can All-Stars and Anthony Cheung as well as Chicagoan Lee Hyla's The Dream of Innocent III.

 

Power 92.3 & J-BEES PRESENTS: Surround Sound of Fashion 2011

Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 8:00 pm

Tickets: $25 - $65

Get ready for one of the hottest fashions shows and concerts in the city! You will be entertained by national recording artists and witness fashions that speak in volumes! This event will be hosted by Comedian Lil Rel (seen on Last Comic Standing and Martin's 1st Amendment). Experience fashion, music, comedy and dance collide for ONE NIGHT only! Visit www.surroundsoundoffashion.com for more information.

 

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago
Handel's Messiah
Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 3:00 pm

Tickets: $40 - $55

Under the direction of Stephen Alltop, the Apollo Chorus of Chicago celebrates its 140th Season by performing this beloved holiday masterpiece in downtown Chicago, a tradition since 1879. The 125-member ensemble will be joined by critically-acclaimed soloists and a stellar baroque orchestra of world-class musicians.

 

International Music Foundation
Do-It-Yourself Messiah
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Tickets: $10 tickets will be available beginning at noon on Tuesday, November 15 at the Harris Theater box office, by phone at 312-334-7777, or on-line at www.harristheaterchicago.org.

Now in its 36th year, the music of Handel comes to life in Chicago every Christmas with his magnificent Messiah performed by a chorus of thousands, world-class soloists and a full orchestra of local professional and amateur volunteer musicians.

* * * 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.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.