| |
From the sweeping sounds of a symphony orchestra to the intimacy of live theater, Houston celebrates the performing arts through its many professional and amateur performing arts organizations and companies. The 17-block downtown theater district (including several theaters, music halls, and performing arts arenas) is second in size only to Broadway, and it hosts more than 800 performances and attracts two million patrons annually. Here are a few of the likely places to catch an inspirational performance in Houston.
A.D. Players, 713-526-2721. This local group presents theatrical works with Christian themes.
Alley Theatre, 713-228-9341. The Alley is the largest Equity repertory theater in the Southwest, and it brings new and traditional Tony-winning theater to Houston and other venues. The Beauty Queen of Leenane, by Martin McDonagh, January 8--February 6; Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen and directed by Gerald Freedman, February 19--March 20; The Zoo Story and The American Dream, by Edward Albee, March 5--28; Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, by Moises Kaufman, April 2--May 1; Misalliance, by George Bernard Shaw and directed by David Wheeler, May 14--June 13.
Children's Theatre Festival, University of Houston, 713-743-3003. This collegiate program offers professional theater for children and their families each summer. Performed at Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre on the University of Houston campus.
Da Camera of Houston, 713-524-7601. A nationally acclaimed producer and presenter of chamber music, Da Camera introduces a variety of small ensembles and repertories, including jazz and classical music, to a variety of stages throughout the region. On the first Wednesday of the month, January--May, Da Camera presents "A Little Day Music," a free concert in the Grand Foyer at the Wortham. On January 29, don't miss "Richard Strauss: A Twentieth-century Enigma" at the Cullen Theater in the Wortham. Guitarist Eliot Fisk plays at the Houston Zoo on February 6, and on February 9 at the Menil Collection Fisk plays a tribute to Andrés Segovia. On February 12, Da Camera presents "Modern Masters: Debussy and Schoenberg" at the Cullen Theater. "Agent of OmniJazz: Don Byron" plays at the Cullen Theater on February 26. Call for additional dates and times.
Houston Ballet, 713-523-6300. A major professional dance company created in 1955, the Houston Ballet is one of the leading ballet companies in the world, touring extensively to critical praise in Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia, Canada, and cities throughout the United States. The Houston Ballet performs a full season of classical and contemporary dance at the beautiful Wortham Theater Center downtown. A world premiere by Stanton Welch and La Sylphide is March 4--14; The Sleeping Beauty, March 18--28; Cullen Contemporary Series performed by the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet, April 24--25; Four Last Songs, a world premiere by Lila York, and a world premiere by Glen Tetley May 27--June 6; Peer Gynt, June 10--20.
Houston Conservatory of Music, 713-524-6222. Presents concerts and recitals featuring classical and contemporary music.
Houston Grand Opera Association, 713-546-0250. This professional opera company is the only opera company to have won a Tony, an Emmy, and a Grammy (actually two). Founded in 1955, it is the fifth largest company in the United States. It brings world-premier operas and musical theater to the Wortham Theater Center. This season includes productions of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, La Traviata, Resurrection, and Orfeo. Call for dates.
Houston International Theatre School, Unicorn Theatre, 713-861-7408. This Heights-area musical theater school produces plays, dramas, and musicals that showcase young artists.
Houston Symphony, 713-977-2985. Performing more than 200 concerts annually, the Houston Symphony is the oldest performing-arts organization in the Southwest. Founded in 1913, it maintains a nationally acclaimed orchestra and presents a full season of classical music and pops performances. In the summer, it presents outdoor concerts at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Regular season performances are held at Jesse H. Jones Hall. January 2--4 the Houston Symphony Exxon Pops Season begins with Sandy Duncan as the guest artist. The classical season begins with performances January 9--11 and 16--18. On January 19 the Houston Symphony Chamber Players present the Caddell and Chapman Series at Stude Concert Hall at Rice University. The classical season resumes January 22--24 with Vladimir Spivakov as conductor and violinist.
Main Street Theater, 713-524-6706. This local company presents a varied mix of drama, comedy, musicals, classics, and experimental works for audiences of all ages at its Chelsea Theater in the Montrose area and Hines Theater in the Rice Village area.
Society for the Performing Arts, 713-227-ARTS. An advocate of arts education and a promoter of arts enrichment and enjoyment for Houstonians, the society brings the world's greatest performing artists and companies to Houston. Ranging from traditional to contemporary and including artists of great renown as well as artists of great promise, performances include orchestras, dance companies, recitalists, solo performers, new art forms and culture-specific attractions. In January, Tango Buenos Aires and Mary Cleere Haran; in February, the Kodo Drummers, Denyce Graves, and Evgeny Kissin. Call for schedule.
Stages Repertory Theater, 713-527-0240. A professional resident company, Stages presents a variety of contemporary and classical theater and children's theater to audiences throughout Houston.
Theatre Under the Stars, 713-558-2600. This Equity musical theater group stages Broadway classics, world premieres, and new works at the Music Hall and Miller Outdoor Theatre (summer productions).