Houston Theatre
Your Theatre Information Source
INDEX

THEATRES
Childrens Theaters
Artist's Corner
Party Premieres


LIFE IS A CABARET!

"What good is sitting alone in your room?  Come hear the music play.  Life is a CABARET, old chum.  Come to the CABARET!"  Travel back in time to the decadent world of 1930s Berlin as Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) produces the sizzling new presentation of the Tony Award-winning musical CABARET June 16 - 28, 2009 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston.  Directed by Bill Berry and featuring music and lyrics by Broadway's multi-award winning composers John Kander and Fred Ebb, the landmark Musical CABARET overflows with thrilling songs including "Don't Tell Mama," "Maybe This Time," and the title song CABARET.   Tickets for TUTS' CABARET (starting at $32) are available by phone at 713-558-8887 or outside Houston 888-558-3882 or or online at www.tuts.com or in person at the TUTS Box Office 800 Bagby at  Walker, Houston Texas USA.


 

 

Interview with Leslie Kritzer starring as Sally Bowles in CABARET

 


LESLIE KRITZER stars as Sally Bowles in CABARET.  TUTS presents CABARET at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts June 16-28, 2009.  The Hobby Center is located at 800 Bagby & Walker, Houston Texas.

 

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS 2008 - 2009 SEASON

Theatre Under the Stars' President and CEO John C. Breckenridge announces TUTS' 2008 - 2009 Season from September 2008 to June 2009 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.  "I am pleased to announce TUTS' 2008-2009 season offers audiences sensational Broadway musicals for the entire family including four Houston Premieres and two Broadway classics," said Breckenridge.  The Season includes: Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Legally Blonde the Musical, the Broadway classic Les Miserables, Happy Days - A New Musical and CABARET.  TUTS combines powerful dramas, delightful comedies and smash-hit new Broadway musicals with beloved classics from the stage and silver screen.  I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!  Well dream no more Houston....your WHITE CHRISTMAS is here for real!  Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is proud to produce the classic holiday story and brand new musical WHITE CHRISTMAS.  The all-time number one pop song and most-recorded tune in history WHITE CHRISTMAS inspired first a beloved classic film, and now a brand new, splashy family musical.....as rare as Texas snow.  WHITE CHRISTMAS is presented through December 21, 2008 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston Texas, USA.

 

 


Joey Sorge as The Fonz and the Car Hops sing the Musical Number "Snap" in HAPPY DAYS.  Theatre Under The Stars presents HAPPY DAYS A New Musical at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts May 12-24, 2009.  TUTS is located at 800 Bagby & Walker, Houston Texas.  Photo by Gerry Goodstein.

 

HAPPY DAYS - A New Musical

Goodbye Gray Skies, Hello Blue!  The National Tour of HAPPY DAYS - A New Musical will play at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts with Theatre Under The Stars May 12 - 24, 2009.  Based on the hit Paramount Pictures' TV series HAPPY DAYS reintroduces one of America's best loved families, the Cunninghams and the days of 1959 Milwaukee.  The gang is back!!!  Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph, Joanie and Chachi, Pinky Tuscadero and of course, the king of cool Arthur "THE FONZ" Fonzarelli are back and HAPPY DAYS are here again!  Tickets for TUTS presentation of HAPPY DAYS - A New Musical are available by phone at ph. 713-558-8887 or outside the Houston area at ph. 888-558-3882 or at the TUTS Box Office at 800 Bagby at  Walker, Houston Texas USA.

 

 

2008 Interview with FRANK YOUNG, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of TUTS

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE tells the story of a modern day musical theater addict known simply as "Man In Chair".  To chase his blues away he drops the needle on his favorite LP - the 1928 musical comedy,  THE DROWSY CHAPERONE .  From the crackle of his hi-fi, the musical magically bursts to life onstage telling the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up show business to get married, her producer who sets out to sabotage the nuptials, her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin lover and a pair of gangsters who double as pastry chefs.  Man in Chair's love of    THE DROWSY CHAPERONE   speaks to anyone who has ever been transported by the theater.  THE DROWSY CHAPERONE   will be shown at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby at Walker in Houston Texas from May 20th - June 1st, 2008.  TICKETS ON SALE NOW!  Single tickets for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE  are available to the public by phone 713-558-8887 or outside the Houston area at 888-558-3882 or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office or on-line at www.tuts.com

WELL, HELLO DOLLY!!!  It's so nice to have you back where you belong! THEATRE UNDER THE STARS proudly presents the grand dame musical, HELLO DOLLY! starring Leslie Uggams.  With a book by the multi-Tony-award-winning team Michael Stewart (42nd Street and Bye Bye Birdie) and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman (Mame, La Cage Aux Folles), HELLO DOLLY! features unforgettable songs including "Before The Parade Passes By," "It Only Takes A Moment," and "HELLO DOLLY!"  Featuring a lush score and winner of ten Tony Awards, HELLO DOLLY!! will come to life on stage combining the glamour from the film, elaborate costumes, and show-stopping dance numbers.  HELLO DOLLY! was shown at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

 


The cast of CABARET at The 5th Avenue Theatre.  TUTS presents CABARET at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts June 16-28, 2009.  The Hobby Center is located at 800 Bagby & Walker, Houston Texas.  Photo by David M. Allen Photography.

 

THE 2007 - 2008 TOMMY TUNE AWARDS...

On March 24, 2008 John C. Breckenridge, President and CEO of Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) announced the nominations for TUTS' Sixth Annual Tommy Tune Awards.  Developed by TUTS, the Tommy Tune Awards honors musical theatre excellence at the high school level.  The awards ceremony was held on Tuesday April 22, 2008 7:30 p. m. at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

 

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS 2008 Gala Celebration

 

 

TUTS' FOREVER YOUNG GALA April 27, 2007

Theatre Under The Stars' FOREVER YOUNG GALA raises more than $1 million towards TUTS Education and Outreach programs, during its star-studded event held at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Friday April 27, 2007.

Chaired by Leticia and Steve Trauber THEATRE UNDER THE STARS' FOREVER YOUNG GALA the evening of April 27, 2007 featured a tribute to TUTS Founder / Producing Artistic Director FRANK M. YOUNG which included Honorary Chairs President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush awarding Young with the American Musical Theatre Award (AMTA) and performances by Broadway and TV stars Debbie Reynolds, Robert Goulet and Austin Miller, among others. 


(L-R) Frank M. Young, Barbara Bush and President George H. W. Bush at the Forever Young Gala April 27, 2007 TUTS' Annual Gala at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by PWL Studio.

 

 

THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION

THE ALLEY THEATRE presents Aaron Sorkin's new play The Farnsworth Invention about the creation of television and in Sorkin's words "the spirit of exploration."   In 1929, two ambitious visionaries race against each other to introduce to the world a revolutionary new device called "television." By the fall of 1921, an Idaho farm boy Philo T. Farnsworth had drawn a diagram of an "image dissector tube" for a prototype electronic television system.  The Farnsworth Invention will be the fourth play that David Cromer directs at the Alley, following the hugely successful The Santaland Diaries, The Clean House and Orson's Shadow

Aaron Sorkin made his Broadway playwriting debut at the age of 28 with the military courtroom drama, A Few Good Men, for which he received the John Gassner Award as Outstanding New American Playwright. His subsequent film adaptation was nominated for four Academy Awards and five Golden Globes, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay. He followed this success with the screenplays for Malice, starring Alec Baldwin and Nicole Kidman, and The American President , starring Michael Douglas and Annette Bening. Mr. Sorkin produced and wrote the NBC television series The West Wing, winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series all four years. For his work on The West Wing, Mr. Sorkin also twice received the Peabody Award, the Humanitas Prize, the Television Critics Association Award and the Golden Globe, Writers Guild and Producers Guild Awards.  The Farnsworth Invention by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Cromer begins Friday, June 5 and runs through Sunday, June 28, 2009 on the Hubbard Stage.

 


The Company in the Alley Theatre’s production of The Farnsworth InventionThe Farnsworth Invention runs on the Alley’s Hubbard Stage June 5 – June 28, 2009.  For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org. Photo by T Charles Erickson.

 

THE ALLEY THEATRE'S 2008 - 2009 SEASON

Rock N' Roll by Tom Stoppard, Aaron Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention, Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl and Theresa Rebeck's Mauritius highlight Alley Theatre's upcoming season.  Also featured are George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession and Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman's hilarious romp The Man Who Came To Dinner.  Season subscriptions are as low as $105 and may be purchased at www.alleytheatre.org, by phone at 713-220-5700, or in person at the Alley Theatre Box Office, 615 Texas Avenue Houston Texas.

 

ROCK N' ROLL BY TOM STOPPARD

 


Four-time Tony Award winner Tom Stoppard returns to the Alley with ROCK 'N' ROLL, winner of London Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best New Play.  It's August 1968, and Russian tanks are rolling into Prague, Jan, the Czech student, lives for rock music, Max, the English professor, lives for Communism, and Esme, the flower child is high.  By 1990, the tanks are rolling out, the Stones are rolling in and idealism has hit the wall.  Stoppard's sweeping and passionate play spans two countries, three generations and 22 turbulent years, at the end of which, love remains - and so does rock n' roll.  ROCK 'N' ROLL runs through May 24th, 2009 on the Alley’s Neuhaus Stage. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org.

 

MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION

The Alley Theatre presents MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION, G. Bernard Shaw's ultimate test of a mother-daughter relationship.  Mrs. Kitty Warren has worked hard to provide the comfortable upbringing she never had for her daughter Vivie.  Now that Vivie is about to embark on her own career, her mother decides that it is time for the feminist daughter to finally learn the truth about her mother's profession.  For tickets and information visit www.AlleyTheatre.org or call the Alley Theatre Box Office at ph. 713-228-8421.  Directed by Anders Cato, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION runs through February 1st, 2009 and is showing at the Alley Theatre's Hubbard stage at 615 Texas Avenue, Houston Texas USA.

 


(R-L) Jane Pfitsch as Vivie and Elizabeth Heflin as Mrs. Warren in the Alley Theatre’s production of MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION.  Mrs. Warren's Profession runs through February 1st, 2009 on the Alley’s Hubbard Stage. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org. Photo by Michal Daniel.

 

SECRET ORDER

The Alley Theatre presents a New Biomedical Thriller SECRET ORDER by Bob Clyman and directed by Charles Towers.  Fueled by pharmaceutical money, personal ambition and media frenzy, the plot of Bob Clyman's provocative SECRET ORDER will have special appeal for anyone with a secret love of science.  A brilliant young research biologist working in an obscure university lab discovers a possible cure for cancer.  When the dynamic director of New York's leading cancer institute becomes his mentor and champion, he is set on a path of acclaim and prestige that could lead directly to the Nobel Prize.  But the halls of science twist and turn in surprising ways, and the young Doctor is suddenly thrust into the high-stakes world of medicine, money and power.  SECRET ORDER is showing from October 24th, 2008 through November 23nd, 2008 at the Alley Theatre's Neuhaus Stage at 615 Texas Avenue in Houston, Texas.

 

 

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

CONTINUE THE TRADITION!!!  Cadillac Broadway Across America-Houston Presents the National Tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Starring the original TEVYE, Chaim Topol.  No other musical has so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and laughter into such an electrifying and unforgettable experience.  Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will continue to delight audiences for generations to come.  In what is a huge theatrical feat, audiences will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the original Tevye Chaim Topol perform the role that made him legendary with his award winning film portrayal.  Starting at $23, tickets are available at the Hobby Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling ph. 713-629-3700 or online at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.  The farewell tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF starring TOPOL is presented from May 26th - June 7th, 2009 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts at 800 Bagby at  Walker, Houston Texas USA.

 


Starring as the original Tevye, CHAIM TOPOL returns to the role that made him legendary with his award winning film portrayal in one of the great masterpieces in American Musical Theatre  FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.  Cadillac Broadway Across America - Houston presents FIDDLER ON THE ROOF  from May 26th - June 7th, 2009 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby).  Tickets are available at the Hobby Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 713-629-3700 or online at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.  Photo by Joan Marcus.

 

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA - HOUSTON: 2009 SEASON

Cadillac Broadway Across America Houston welcomes the new year with the Tony Award winning musical SPRING AWAKENING presented from January 6-18, 2009.  Winner of 8 Tony Awards Broadway's most talked about new musical is now the biggest Tony Award Winner in years.  Next is Chazz Palminteri's A BRONX TALE which will be shown from February 3-8, 2009.  The enthralling adventure of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG will make you believe a car can fly!  And a spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland THE WIZARD OF OZ will be shown in April, 2009.  Never has any other musical so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and laughter than on FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.  Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will mystify you with some of the most lavish sets, costumes and special effects ever to have been created for the stage.  Broadway Across America musicals are held at the Hobby Center Sarofim Hall at 800 Bagby Street, Houston Texas, USA.

 

WINNER OF 8 TONY AWARDS INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL!  SPRING AWAKENING is the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that has awakened Broadway like no other musical in years.  SPRING AWAKENING celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget.  We agree with the NY Times "Broadway may never be the same again!"  Contains mature subject matter, nudity, strong language and sexual situations.  Charles Isherwood of The New York Times describes SPRING AWAKENING as "Haunting and electrifying!  This brave new musical has a shivery sensual allure unmatched by anything in the theatre right now."    SPRING AWAKENING is presented by Cadillac's Broadway Across America - Houston from January 6 - 18, 2009 at the Hobby Center Sarofim Hall. 

 


The greatest family musical of all time, THE WIZARD OF OZ  is touching down in Houston at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby) from April 7-19, 2009.  Tickets are available at the Hobby Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 713-629-3700 or online at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.  Photo by Joan Marcus.

 

Click into Houston Theatre's Broadway section BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA - HOUSTON which features an archive of Broadway shows in Houston, Texas from 1998 to 2008.  The enthralling adventure of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the magical car that sails the seas and flies through the air has been a family favorite since the original motion picture captivated the world's imagination in 1968.  Chitty's eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts and his children, Jemima and Jeremy join the truly scrumptious and kooky Grandpa Potts in outwitting the dastardly Baron and Baroness of Vulgaria in their attempt to steal the flying car for themselves.  CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is everything you could want in a musical - and more.  Sensational sets, stunning special effects, an irresistible story, and an unforgettable Sherman Brothers score, including memorable classics like "Truly Scrumptious", "Hushabye Mountain", and of course, the Oscar-nominated title song all add up to the Broadway blockbuster the whole family will love.

 

 

LIVIN' FAT at the Ensemble Theatre

Times are tough for the Cooper family.  Although money is tight, their affection for each other is limitless. Everything changes, however, when son David Lee, a college graduate forced by the economy to work as a bank janitor, interrupts a robbery.  In their haste to get away, the thieves drop a bundle of money, which David Lee picks up.  The family's scruples are tested and everyone finds that the Lord works in mysterious ways.  Join the fun in this witty, incisive and downright hilarious comedy.  Written by Judi Ann Mason, winner of the Norman Lear Award for comedy writing from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and who also wrote for such TV shows as Good Times and Sanford & Son, it's no wonder LIVIN' FAT is as great as any All-American play in the theatre circuit today.  Directed by Eileen J. Morris, LIVIN' FAT is now playing at the Ensemble Theatre at 3535 Main Street, Houston Texas through May 24th, 2009.

 


(L-R) Kendrick "Kay" Brown, Joyce Anastasia Murray (seated), Byron Jacquet  and Bebe Wilson star in Livin' Fat Now Showing at the Ensemble Theatre through May 24th, 2009.  Photo by David Bray Photography.

 

THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE Presents the CONSTANT STAR  Directed by RON JONES and written by Tazewell Thompson.  CONSTANT STAR is presented from March 14th thru April 12th, 2009 with Special Performances at Lone Star College Cy-Fair April 16th-19th, 2009.  THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE is located at 3535 Main Street, Houston, Texas. Please call phone 713-520-0055 for Tickets and Information.  THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE Presents the 2007 SEASON. JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE Directed by THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE'S Artistic Director EILEEN J. MORRIS and written by the Great American Playwright AUGUST WILSON is presented thru April 8th, 2007. THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE is located at 3535 Main Street, Houston, Texas. Please call phone 713-520-0055 for Tickets and Information. INTERVIEW WITH EILEEN J. MORRIS, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE AND DIRECTOR OF JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE.  THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE Presents the 2004 - 2005 SEASON. THAT SERIOUS HE - MAN BALL by Alonzo D. Lamont, Jr. is presented thru October 17, 2004. THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE is located at 3535 Main Street, Houston, Texas.

 

CONSTANT STAR

The Story of Ida B. Wells

Written by Tazewell Thompson and Directed by Ron Jones CONSTANT STAR is a powerful bio-drama and a bold look at the life of civil rights pioneer, suffragette and outspoken activist IDA B. WELLS, a passionate, fiery champion of equality for women and African Americans.  The daughter of freed slaves, IDA B. WELLS was a newspaper editor and publisher, co-founder of the NAACP, mother, wife and the single most powerful leader in the anti-lynching campaign in America.  CONSTANT STAR displays  her outspoken nature, tenacious spirit and refusal to assimilate and portrays the life of this often-overlooked African American Leader.  CONSTANT STAR is Now Showing at The Ensemble Theatre at 3535 Main Street Downtown Houston from March 14 - April 12, 2009!  TICKETS ON SALE NOW!  Call ph. 713-520-0055 for tickets and information or visit www.ensemblehouston.com

INTERVIEW WITH RON JONES, DIRECTOR OF CONSTANT STAR

 


(L-R) Cynthia Brown, Jo Anne Davis-Jones, Detria Marie Ward, Shaunyce Omar and Roenia Thompson.  Photo courtesy of The Ensemble Theatre.



SEPTEMBER 2000 INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE MS. ARGENTINA JAMES who says that "We are the Crowning Jewel for the City, Located in Downtown Houston and we want to share it with the World." THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE'S 2000 - 2001 SEASON including the 1999 Interview with Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Charles Fuller. THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE is located at 3535 Main Street, Houston, Texas. Please call phone 713-520-0055 for Tickets and Information.

THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE 2007 SEASON


 

BROTHER TADPOLE

BROTHER TADPOLE is a story about friendship and love, ending with a positive resolution of conflict between friends.  Written and created by Loreta Kovacic, BROTHER TADPOLE premiered on March 28th, 2009 at the new Discovery Green Park in Downtown Houston.  In BROTHER TADPOLE, Mary and Jack are friends (AMIGOS) but they are always quarreling and fighting.  Why can't they just get along?!!  They come to the magical land inhabited by Cyclops, cute little bunnies and other strange creatures.  They become friends with the popular Cyclops Hans and his friend BROTHER TADPOLE Jack falls in love with the goddess Dama, but she is out of reach.  Mary and Jack become better friends to each other.  They learn how to live in peace like the two fun loving Cyclops.  It's all good in the land of Balvaria.


BROTHER TADPOLE:  A cow, two fairies and a bunny.  Brother Tadpole created by Loreta Kovacic premiered on March 28th, 2009 at Discovery Green Houston, Texas.
 

 

BYE BYE BIRDIE

A rock singer travels to a small Ohio town to make his "farewell" television performance and kiss his biggest fan before he is drafted.  Travis High School Theatre Arts Program will present the musical BYE BYE BIRDIE on January 30, 31 & February 6 and 7, 2009.  All shows begin at 7 p.m.  All performances are in the Travis High School Auditorium located at 11111 Harlem Road, Richmond TX  77406.  Tickets are $7 if purchased in advance and $10 at the door.  For reservations call ph. 281-634-7138.

 


(Center) Richard Gomez as Conrad Birdie in the Travis High School 2009 theatre production of Bye Bye Birdie directed by Kyle Martin.  Conrad Birdie's guitarist is Said Jalajal.  Photo by Mark Towell.

 

GODSPELL

Check out THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE Section of HoustonTheatre.com featuring Children's Theatres in the Houston Area. Also featured is Travis High School's Production of GODSPELL presented January, 2008 with Interviews with the Cast and Director of GODSPELL.  Also included is  YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN Presented February, 2007 with Interviews with the Cast and Director of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. Visit one of Houston Theatre's CHILDREN'S THEATRES and Get Swept Away with Magic, Music and Enchanting Stories of Love and Forgiveness. Interview with CINDERELLA with Director and Playwright Laura Weinberg Williams. CINDERELLA  was Presented at THE COMPANY ONSTAGE   November, 2001.

 

 

 

Clara Cravey

 

1998 Interview with the former Principal of the Houston Ballet Academy: CLARA CRAVY

 

HOUSTON BALLET'S 2007 - 2008 SEASON

THE HOUSTON BALLET'S  Artistic Director Stanton Welch invites you to be a part of one of the most memorable seasons in recent history. "THE HOUSTON BALLET 2007 - 2008 SEASON  will be punctuated by three very popular story ballets.  We'll open with THE MERRY WIDOW featuring new designs by an Italian-born woman, Roberta Guidi di Bagno.  My own CINDERELLA offers a contemporary take on a familiar tale, with lavish costumes and sets by Kristian Fredrikson.  And finally, we'll present the beautiful and enduring classic LA SYLPHIDE with the help of producer Johnny Eliasen, one of the world's foremost experts on the Bournonville style."  THE HOUSTON BALLET 2007 - 2008 SEASON will also have three world premieres on the schedule including a new work that Stanton Welch will choreograph as a tribute to New York in the 1940s, set to the irresistible music of George Gershwin.  THE HOUSTON BALLET   will reprise some beloved works including George Balanchine's signature SERENADE and one of Mr. Welch's personal favorites, William Forsythe's powerful IN THE MIDDLE, SOMEWHAT ELEVATED.   For tickets and general information, call 713-227-2787 or click to www.houstonballet.org.

 
Principal Dancer AMY FOTE in Clear choreographed by Stanton Welch.  Photographer: Drew Donovan

 

Interview with a Living Doll AMY FOTE performing as SWANILDA in Houston Ballet's COPPELIA

Listen Up Kiddies!  Forget Cinderella Barbie and Lara Croft the Tomb Raider.  If you want to have a hard body like AMY FOTE you're going to have to start eating your vegetables every day.  Check Out the INTERVIEW WITH AMY FOTE.  She stars as SWANILDA in HOUSTON BALLET'S   Production of COPPELIAHOUSTON BALLET  and Artistic Director Stanton Welch presents COPPELIA from June 7th through the 17th, 2007 at the Brown Theater of the Wortham Theater Center.  Considered the great comedy of classical ballet, COPPELIA tells the story of a doll so enchantingly lifelike that she mesmerizes an entire village, captures the heart of a young swain named Franz, and inspires the eccentric toymaker Dr. Coppelius to attempt to transform her into a living, breathing human being.  HOUSTON BALLET'S  Production of COPPELIA features breathtaking scenery by Tony Award winner Desmond Heeley, including a picturesque German village and a magical toy workshop whose treasures include a goat, a ballerina and a wizard.  For tickets and general information, call 713-227-2787 or click to www.houstonballet.org.

 

 

THE ART GUYS' NOTHING TO IT - An Evening of Itty Bitty Witty Ditties
 


THE ART GUYS.  Photo by T. Pisula


THE ART GUYS  celebrate their 25th Anniversary   by presenting NOTHING TO IT, An Evening of Itty Bitty Witty Ditties  on May 3rd, 2008. THE ART GUYS  Michael Galbreth and Jack Massing performed Wrap Music, a musical arrangement performed entirely on industrial strength wrapping material and Inverted Karaoke which features the duo singing songs karaoke - style while the audience is unable to hear the music.


CHECK OUT THE THEATRES SECTION OF HOUSTONTHEATRE.COM featuring an archive of Theatres in the general Houston area of the last decade.  HoustonTheatre.com has documented special theatre performances from A - Z, from Absolute Theatre to Worldfest (Houston International Film Festival).

 

 

THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA 2006 - 2007 SEASON


Samuel Ramey as Mephistopheles in FAUST.  For tickets and general information, please call 713-228-OPERA or 1-800-62-OPERA.


GOUNOD'S FAUST including A Conversation with the Devil (Part II).  Interview with the International Superstar Samuel Ramey.


THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND HELL ON EARTH Announces their 2006 - 2007 SEASON General Director Anthony Freud on the THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA'S 2006-2007 SEASON'S new productions: “The musical and theatrical range of the season’s new productions will, I am sure, delight and stimulate our audiences,” says Freud. “The very different fairy-tale world of Hansel and Gretel will be created with specially devised puppets by one of the world’s most inventive puppet artists, Basil Twist. La Cenerentola will be fanciful new production by a team that pairs great theatrical flair with technical know-how, a refreshingly human re-telling of the classic fairy tale. The stunning Zandra Rhodes designs for Aïda evoke a magical dream of Egypt in which Verdi’s unforgettable score will thrill and captivate.” Interview with International Rising Star MARIUSZ KWIECIEN Starring as the Supernova Lover DON GIOVANNI by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart


Houston Grand Opera's 1997 Faust. Photo by Jim Caldwell.



THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA revives its acclaimed Francesca Zambello production of GOUNOD'S French masterpiece FAUST with a stellar cast, led by one of America’s most gifted tenors, William Burden (The Coronation of Poppea, 2006) as the man who sells his soul to the devil for a second chance at youth. Burden’s FAUST , hailed as “superb…beautiful French, with fine line and glowing tone,” (Philadelphia’s City Paper), is lured into eternal damnation by Mephistopheles, sung by the incomparable American bass Samuel Ramey (Boris Godunov, 2005) in one of the roles that has made him world famous. Georgian soprano Tamar Iveri makes her house debut as Marguerite, the naïve young woman who falls for FAUST . Her devoted brother Valentin is sung by American baritone Earle Patriarco (The Barber of Seville, 2004). FAUST is presented at the HOUSTON GRAND OPERA's Wortham Theater Center in Downtown Houston, Texas from January 20th - February 3rd, 2007.


Making his Houston Grand Opera debut Polish Baritone Mariusz Kwiecien is DON GIOVANNI, Mozart's adaptation of the Don Juan story. For tickets and general information, please call 713-228-OPERA or 1-800-62-OPERA.


MOZART'S DON GIOVANNI including an Interview with the World Famous Lover MARIUSZ KWIECIEN

 

 

MUSICAL BRIDGES: A Musical Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the First Polish Settlement in America


(L-R) Former President of Poland and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Mr. Lech Walesa and Houston businessman Ryszard Sienko at MUSICAL BRIDGES, the 150th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlement in America, a Musical Celebration October 22, 2004 at the Wortham Theater Center.



Premier Houston Social and Musical Event in 2004: MUSICAL BRIDGES: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST POLISH SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA held Friday, October 22nd, 2004. With the honorable presence of former President of Poland MR. LECH WALESA, and music by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra under the musical direction of conductor Mariusz Smolij and guest pianist Adam Golka, the Polish National Alliance (Chicago) and the Polish American Congress - Texas Division and the Houston Polish community celebrated THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF PANNA MARIA, TEXAS the birthplace of American Polonia at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston, Texas. Another Polish celebration held March, 2004 was Przechadzki - O Krakowie at the University of St. Thomas Jones Hall.

Check out The HoustonTheatre.com Parties Section where you will find the best musical parties in Houston, including the HOUSTON GRAND OPERA BALL 2001, The Hottest Rock N' Roll Party for THE SUMMER OF 2000 at the Grand Opening of the Hard Rock Cafe at Bayou Place in Downtown Houston, and CHRISTMAS BANQUET 2000, A festive evening of Holiday Fun featuring an interview with A.D. Players Founder and Artistic Director Jeannette Clift George at the Copperfield Baptist Church.


Ryszard Sienko sings the traditional polish song in Przechadzki - O Krakowie, March 27th, 2004 at the University of St. Thomas Jones Hall. Picture by Stan Aponiuk.

 

 

WWW.WORLDFEST.ORG

THE 2001 WORLDFEST-HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is celebrated from Friday April 20th through Sunday April 29th, 2001 at the newly re-opened Meyerland Plaza THX Theaters located at Loop 610 West South & Beechnut. THE FILM FESTIVAL roster will highlight many U.S. Independent World Premieres, International Cinema, the Perry Ellis Independent Spirit Award, Film Industry Seminars, the Indie Director's Panel, the Grand Awards Gala, and lastly, Closing Day Watergate Regatta and Bar-B-Q. Last year, WORLDFEST HOUSTON 2000 Opened with the Film LOVE AND BASKETBALL, where we found WNBA Champion and MVP Cynthia Cooper and movie star Omar Epps in attendance. Last year's FILM FESTIVAL WORLDFEST HOUSTON 2000 GRAND AWARDS GALA also brought us the Film, THE FAMILY TREE, directed by Duane Clark where we got to meet Mr. Cliff Robertson who starred with Naomi Judd and Robert Forster in the film. Worldfest Houston 1999 Film Festival: Interview with Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Charles Fuller, where he wrote and produced the Film, LOVE SONGS, a Trilogy starring Directors Robert Townsend, Louis Gossett Junior and Andre Braugher. WORLDFEST-HOUSTON 1999 GRAND AWARDS GALA brought us the Award Winning Film, WENT TO CONEY ISLAND ON A MISSION FROM GOD, THREE SEASONS starring Harvey Keitel and the restored classic THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG starring Catherine Deneuve.


Houston Royalty WNBA Champion and Most Valuable Player CYNTHIA COOPER and movie star Omar Epps attended WORLDFEST - HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2000 Opening Night Film LOVE AND BASKETBALL, a movie written and directed by Gina - Prince Bythewood. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood, WNBA Photos)

 



It is our Passion for the Arts that brings this site to you. Check here often for current listings of plays and reviews showing in the Houston Area.

Contact Theresa Pisula at E-mail: theresa@houstontheatre.com