Handel's Messiah Rocks, with LaChanze and J. Robert Spencer, to Air in June

By Andrew Gans
May 29, 2009

Handel's Messiah Rocks, which was filmed in September at Emerson College's Cutler Majestic Theatre in Massachusetts, will make its broadcast premiere June 3 at 9:30 PM on Chicago's WTTW-TV Channel 11.

The production, which features Tony Award winner LaChanze, Next to Normal Tony nominee J. Robert Spencer and Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, will air on PBS stations around the country in August.

Produced by A Joyful Noise Production, the performance — featuring rock renditions of one of Handel's most popular oratorios — also boasts the talents of MiG Ayesa and the University Choir of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell under the direction of Murray Kidd. Dani Davis directed.

Handel's Messiah Rocks features music adapted by Little Women's Jason Howland and libretto adapted by Dani Davis. It is based on the original oratorio by George Frederick Handel with libretto by Charles Jennens.

For more information visit www.handelsmessiahrocks.com.