HALLELUJAH BROADWAY Performs Songs From The Great White Way 9/17

"Hallelujah Broadway" showcases the emotional power of some of The Great White Way's most uplifting and powerful songs that have inspired millions of theatergoers. The show is a musical extravaganza performed with a 32-piece orchestra that will gladden hearts and give audiences something to cheer about. The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU) will be filled with the joyous sounds of "Hallelujah Broadway" Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Single tickets are $30 - $72, available online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling (800) 982-2787 or at the ATRU Box Office (50 E. Congress Parkway).

"Hallelujah Broadway" was featured on PBS special programming during July and August 2010 and now it makes its Chicago debut at ATRU. Featuring inspired vocal performances from three featured soloists, including "Too Hot to Handel" tenor Rodrick Dixon and soprano Alfreda Burke as well as Anthony Kearns of The Irish Tenors, "Hallelujah Broadway" includes uplifting songs from beloved musicals such as "Godspell," "Wicked," "Rent," "West Side Story," "Sound of Music" and "Les Miserables" among others.

"Each song was carefully chosen for its emotional power, its spiritual resonance, and its simple message," said Bill Hughes, producer of "Hallelujah Broadway." "Hallelujah Broadway is an experience to which fans of serious music, as well as Broadway classics, must treat themselves," according to the National Examiner.

Rodrick Dixon has performed several roles with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and appeared in Broadway's "Ragtime," as well as the revival of "Show Boat" at the Auditorium Theatre. In 2009 Dixon made his Los Angeles Philharmonic debut performing the role of Oedipus in Stravinsky's "Oedipus Rex," conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen and directed by Peter Sellars. Dixon continues to tour and perform with "The Tenors Cook, Dixon & Young."

Dixon also has toured nationally with his wife, soprano Alfreda Burke. Burke's credits include debuts with the Chicago Symphony at Ravinia under Erich Kunzel, the CSO's Symphony Center Inaugural Festival, Chicago Opera Theater, Grant Park Music Festival, and "Show Boat" at the Kennedy Center and the Auditorium Theatre. Burke has also worked in recordings, music video, television, radio, film and commercials.

Anthony Kearns is a founding member of The Irish Tenors and has spent more than a decade performing in prestigious venues around the world. Kearns has a very renowned voice and in addition to his work in Irish operas, he has sung in Italian opera productions such as "Falstaff," "Romeo and Juliet: Then and Now," and "Lucia di Lammermoor." In addition to performing "Hallelujah Broadway," Kearns performs three times annually with The Irish Tenors while maintaining a thriving solo career.

"Hallelujah Broadway" Producer Bill Hughes has been an independent producer since June 1985 and in that time has produced and directed more than 1000 hours of television for the domestic market and for cable, satellite and terrestrial broadcasters around the world. He has also written and produced all three of the TV specials featuring the Irish Tenors, LIVE in Dublin, Belfast, and Ellis Island for RTE, PBS and CBC Canada. Hughes was named Producer of the Year by the Music Critics. He is a Double Gold Medalist from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information

"Hallelujah Broadway" performs at the Auditorium Theatre:

Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $30-$72 and are on sale now, available online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling (800) 982-2787 or in-person at ATRU's Box Office (50 E. Congress Parkway).

Auditorium Theatre 2011-2012 Subscriptions & Groups

Subscriptions for the Auditorium Theatre's 2011-2012 season and discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are now on sale. For more information or to purchase a subscription or group tickets call (312) 431-2357 or visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

2011-2012 season packages available include:

Flex Package - Choose at least two shows from all offerings. Shows include "Hallelujah Broadway," DRUMLINE LIVE, Rasta Thomas' BAD BOYS of DANCE, AXIS Dance Company, Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra with Rockapella, "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah," Batsheva Dance Company, American Ballet Theatre in "Giselle" and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Subscribers receive a 10% discount for two shows, 15% for three shows, 20% for four shows, and 25% for five or more shows.

Family Series - Patrons must choose at least 2 from the following: DRUMLINE LIVE (Sunday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m.), AXIS Dance Company (Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.), "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah" (Sunday, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m.) or Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m.)

Student Matinee Series - Available only to school groups of 10 or more: AXIS Dance Company (Friday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. / tickets: $10 each), "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah" (Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 at 11 a.m. / tickets: $10), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 11 a.m. and Friday, April 13 at 11 a.m. / tickets: $12)

About the Auditorium Theatre's Family Series

ATRU's Family Series is designed specifically to awaken children's interest in live performance and plant the seed for developing an appreciation of the arts. This unique opportunity allows patrons to receive a free children's subscription with the purchase of any full-price adult subscription package. This special offer expires on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. This year's Family Series encompasses an eclectic mix of dance and music offerings, and includes DRUMLINE LIVE, AXIS Dance Company, "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah" and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Patrons must choose at least two of the aforementioned shows. Each family performance is followed by a question and answer session with members of the shows' artistic teams. This interactive experience can dramatically change the impact of the performing arts on its viewers, and with the involvement of families it can also empower youth to express themselves.

Sponsorships
The Auditorium Theatre is grateful for the generous support of the Illinois Arts Council, CityArts, American Airlines and the Palmer House Hilton.

The Auditorium Theatre's Student Matinee Series is sponsored by The Private Bank and The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation.

About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E. Congress Parkway, is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural and community programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the Illinois Arts Council, CityArts, American Airlines and the Palmer House Hilton. For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theater tours, call (312) 922-2110 or visit auditoriumtheatre.org.