By K. Michelle Moran DETROIT It didn t originate in Detroit, but Rackham Symphony Choir s rendition of the musical extravaganza, Too Hot to Handel has become the signature production of this jazz and gospel variation on Handel s classical masterpiece, Messiah. The show which will be staged at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec.

22 at downtown Detroit s Fox Theatre has been dubbed the Motor City Messiah for the way it takes full advantage of the city s wealth of jazz, gospel and classical artists, including bassist Marion Hayden, saxophonist George Benson and pianist Alvin Waddles. The RSC singers say the show is hard to describe, but add that the high-energy production quickly wins over new audience members and gets them dancing in the aisles.

As RSC Artistic and Music Director Suzanne Mallare Acton of Grosse Pointe Park said, the excitement and joy from the musicians and singers extends to the audience, leaving everyone uplifted. You really kind of lose yourself in the production, said RSC member Beth Adams of Royal Oak. It s very festive. This ends in the Halleluiah chorus and the whole audience is rocking. Kids as well as adults love it, said RSC member Bud Uhl of Shelby Township. And Acton keeps the production sharp.

Sometimes, audience members are inspired to do more than dance and clap. Tom Cucuzza of Birmingham whose wife, Susan, has been with RSC since 2001 was so blown away by the 2002 production that he auditioned for and joined the choir himself. As much as he loved seeing it, he said he s having even more fun as a performer. Once I got onstage, it was much more emotional and electric when you re generating that energy rather than receiving it, Cucuzza said.