Houston Theatre
Your Theatre Information Source
INDEX

THEATRES
Childrens Theaters
Artist's Corner
Party Premieres

THE HOUSTON BALLET'S PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER 2005
Interview with the Christmas Ballerina Bridgett Zehr for the Houston Ballet's 2005 production of THE NUTCRACKER Now Showing through December 26th, 200 at the Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.



A Real Christmas Ballerina:  Bridgett Zehr  as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Houston Ballet's 2005 Production of The Nutcracker.  Photo by Pam Francis


 

HOUSTON BALLET'S THE NUTCRACKER

THE HOUSTON BALLET  rings in the holiday season with  THE NUTCRACKER with music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The beloved ballet tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve.  She encounters the frightful Rat King before embarking on a journey through the land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets.  Young and old alike will be dazzled by Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production's many special effects, including the Christmas tree, that grows to forty feet, 200 pounds of snow falling during the snow scene and the firing of a cannon onstage.   THE HOUSTON BALLET  will give 30 performances of the THE NUTCRACKER in the Brown Theater at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.  For tickets and general information, call 713-227-2787 or click to www.houstonballet.org.


5-year old Artist Quentin Key - Tello's inspired creativity after watching The Houston Ballet's Production of the Nutcracker.  Quentin (bottom right) is seen here with his mom, Georgina Key, his dad Joe Tello and his younger brother, Eli.  Come see THE NUTCRACKER at the Wortham Theater Center's Brown Theater at 501 Texas Avenue in downtown Houston- it's a joyous holliday gift for the whole family. 

 


 

THE ALLEY THEATRE 2004 - 2005 SEASON


(L-R) Erin Dilly is Meg and Brent Barrett is Maxine in the Alley Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig's LEADING LADIES. The production opens on the Alley Theatre's Hubbard Stage October 20th and runs through November 7th, 2004. For more information, click on www.alleytheatre.org or call 713-228-8421. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

THE ALLEY THEATRE produces World Premiere Comedy LEADING LADIES by Ken Ludwig. Take two down-on-their-luck Shakespearean actors reduced to performing in the Amish countryside of Pennsylvania and add a wealthy old woman searching for her two long-lost hairs. Then, mix in the beautiful niece who longs to be in the theatre and you have a rollicking new comedy of mistaken identities. LEADING LADIES is a world premiere by the author of Broadway's Crazy for You, Lend Me a Tenor, and the current adaptation of Twentieth Century. A co-production with Cleveland Play House.

THE ALLEY THEATRE produces "Fall Festival" featuring CANTINFLAS and CULTURE CLASH IN AMERICCA in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. CANTINFLAS, a tribute to the late Mario Moreno starring Herbert Siguenza, premiered at the Alley Theatre last season is Showing through September 12, 2004. CULTURE CLASH IN AMERICCA is a project of the Los Angeles - based comedy troupe Culture Clash, of which Siguenza is a founding member. For tickets and general information, call 713-228-8421 or click to www.alleytheatre.org.
THE ALLEY THEATRE invites you to attend the ExxonMobil Summer Chills Presentation of Agatha Christie's Black Coffee and Frederick Knott's DIAL M FOR MURDER . Directed by THE ALLEY THEATRE's Artistic Director Gregory Boyd, BLACK COFFEE features the return of the popular detective Hercule poirot with Resident Company Actor James Black returning in the role. James Black also directed DIAL M FOR MURDER, a title long-requested by Chills audiences. For tickets and general information, call 713-228-8421 or click to www.alleytheatre.org.


LEADING LADIES stars Dan Lauria, who is best known for his TV role as Jack Arnold, Kevin's father in The Wonder Years. Mr. Lauria appears as Doc, the local country doctor in the Alley Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig's LEADING LADIES. The production opens on the Alley Theatre's Hubbard Stage October 20th and runs through November 7th, 2004. For more information, click on www.alleytheatre.org or call 713-228-8421.






STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE 2004 - 2005 SEASON

STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE Opens its 26th Season with the regional premiere of CASTRO'S BEARD by Brian Stewart. Called "....an irreverent comedy...unexpectedly timely and thought-provoking," by the New York Times, this hilarious, satirical look at the politics of imperialism and espionage echoes today's headlines - from assassinating foreign heads of state to the relevance of the Central Intelligen Agency. Directed by Stages' Managing Director Kenn McLaughlin, CASTRO'S BEARD runs from October 6 - 24, 2004 in Stages Arena Theatre. Call the Stages Box Office at ph.713-527-0123 for tickets and reservations.
I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! Command Performance Kicks Off the Summer at STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE. Back by Popular Demand, the New York Times called it "witty, funny, and as good as it gets;" the Houston Press deemed it "a crowd-pleasing review that sparkles like a tree full of Christmas lights," and the Houston Chronicle said the show "gets off to a riotour start" and will "keep you laughing." It's the show for anyone who's ever felt awkward on a date or in a relationship, and would rather laugh about it than cry: It's I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE!. So popular in its regional premiere at Stages in 1999 that it was extended four weeks, the show will run in Stages Yeager Theatre July 14 through October 31, 2004. The longest running revue in off-Broadway history, I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! was nominated for Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards and exposes everything you've secretly thought about Dating, Mating, and Romance but were afraid to admit.


Houston's answer to Bebe Neuwirth: Interview with Ms. Jennie Welch who stars in I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! Musical Joyride through the jungle of modern relationships is Now Showing at Stages Theatre at 3201 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas from July 14 thru September 12, 2004. Call ph.713-527-0123 for tickets and reservations.





THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE 2004 - 2005 SEASON


Steven Scott stars as Jello, the serious writer in THAT SERIOUS HE-MAN BALL written by Alonzo D. La Mont, Jr. and directed by Marsha Jackson-Randolph. THAT SERIOUS HE-MAN BALL is showing through October 17th, 2004. Call ph.713-520-0055 for tickets and reservations. Photo by Anthony Hall.



THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE Presents the 2004 - 2005 SEASON. THAT SERIOUS HE - MAN BALL by Alonzo D. Lamont, Jr. is now showing from September 18 - October 17, 2004. THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE is located at 3535 Main Street, Houston, Texas.







Theatre Under the Stars 2004 - 2005 Season


Theatre Under The Stars celebrates one singular sensation with its 30th Anniversary production of A CHORUS LINE, playing the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts from October 21 - November 7, 2004. Single tickets may be purchased by calling 713-558-TUTS or online at www.tuts.com. Actors from left to right: Shannon Lewis, Matt Bezmarevich, Brandi Wooten, Robert Tunstall, Melissa Rae Mahon. Photo by Bruce Bennett.


".....Can't Forget, Won't Regret What I Did For Love!" A CHORUS LINE will have you singing and tapdancing down the aisles! THEATRE UNDER THE STARS salutes 30th Anniversary of A CHORUS LINE with new production. ONE singular sensation celebrates 30 years of the Tony Award - winning A CHORUS LINE from October 21 - November 7, 2004 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby at Walker). Featuring a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, lyrics by Edward Kleban and music by Marvin Hamlisch, A CHORUS LINE made its New York debut in the 1974 - 75 Season to become one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history.

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS Opens their 2004 - 2005 Season with HAIR! HAIR became a ground - breaking and electrifying Broadway musical in 1968 and quickly became an international sensation. HAIR shattered Broadway conventions with its vibrant and memorable score, its frank examination of war, peace, and sexuality, and its exuberant riot of color, sound and light. Performed in nearly every country of the world with eleven original cast albums in as many languages, HAIR is one of the most popular, most innovative and controversial attractions of its time. Relive the 1960s. Its legendary score includes five timeless top ten hit songs--Age of Aquarius, Easy to be Hard, HAIR , Good Morning Starshine, and Let The Sun Shine In.




Broadway in Houston: 2004 - 2005 Season





BROADWAY IN HOUSTON 2004 - 2005 SEASON Presents JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR for the Holiday Season showing from December 21 - 26, 2004. The first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber is as relevant and as timeless as ever in a magnificent new production. With a score of amazing songs "I Don't Know How To Love Him," "Hosanna," "Everything's Alright," "What's The Buzz," "Superstar," "Heaven On Their Mind" and a stunning visual design, this is truly a superstar for the ages. The last time JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was shown in Houston was back in July, 1999 by Theatre Under The Stars at the Wortham Center. BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA 2005 SEASON includes MAMMA MIA, The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship; LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, LES MISERABLES, Billy Joel's MOVIN' OUT and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.
BROADWAY IN HOUSTON 2003 - 2004 SEASON's Opening Performance is THE GRADUATE , which was a cult novel, a landmark Hollywood film starring Dustin Hoffman, and now a smash-hit theatrical comedy sensation starring Texas born and bred, Mrs. Mick Jagger herself, the sexy towering supermodel JERRY HALL. "And here's to you Mrs. Robinson...." For Mature Audiences, Contains Nudity means Mrs. Robinson will take it all off for you right here onstage at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston, Texas from September 23rd thru October 5th, 2003. "I Can't Get No Satisfaction....." CATHY RIGBY in SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL opens the inaugural season of AT&T Wireless Broadway in Houston at Sarofim Hall in Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 810 Bagby at Walker in the downtown Theater District from through September 29, 2002.SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL brings together for the first time many of our best - loved characters. Ms. Rigby, a two time Olympic gymnast, was the first American woman to win a medal in the World Gymnastics competition. The 2001 - 2002 Broadway in Houston Season presents DISNEY'S THE LION KING Houston's most eagerly awaited stage production. Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony AwardŽ for Best Director of a Musical. THE LION KING was presented at The Jones Hall on July 5 August 25, 2002.





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 is Presented at THE COMPANY ONSTAGE through November, 2001.



THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA 2004 - 2005 SEASON



American soprano Patricia Racette, one of today's gifted singing actresses, will create her first mainstage Cio-Cio-San in HGO's season opening production of Madame Butterfly. Madame Butterfly is showing at the Wortham Theatre through November 13th, 2004. For tickets and general information, please call 713-228-OPERA or 1-800-62-OPERA.

General Director David Gockley and Music Director Patrick Summers Announce HOUSTON GRAND OPERA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON - CELEBRATE! 8-Opera Season includes: PUCCINI'S MADAME BUTTERFLY, Verdi's Il Trovatore, Mozart's Indomeneo, King of Crete, Gounod's Romeo and Juliet, Verdi's Falstaff and Rachel Portman's The Little Prince. Also included are 2 world premieres: Daniel Catan's Salsipuedes, a tale of Love, War and Anchovies and Mark Adamo's Lysistrata or The Nude Goddess.
THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA Opens their 50th Anniversary Season with PUCCINI'S MADAME BUTTERFLY. American soprano Patricia Racette will create her first mainstage Cio-Cio-San where family honor, religion and ultimately her life - the gentle geisha forsakes them all for love. Showing through November 13, 2004 at the Wortham Center, PUCCINI'S MADAME BUTTERFLY is sung in Italian with English surtitles. Daniel Catan, composer of FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS and librettists Eliseo Alberto and Francisco Hinojosa bring us a new opera that will evoke the exotic sounds and rhythms of the Caribbean. Set in 1940's, SALSIPUEDES tells the saga of two young couples whose wedding day is shattered when their tiny island country declares war on Nazi Germany. Sung in Spanish with English surtitles, SALSIPUEDES, A TALE OF LOVE, WAR AND ANCHOVIES Premieres on Friday October 29 through November 14, 2004 at The Wortham Theatre.

Parisian partying at its turn-of-the-century grandest is the theme of Houston Grand Opera's THE MERRY WIDOW Sung in English, this operetta full of memorable waltzes features Susan Graham, who sings Hanna Glawari, THE MERRY WIDOW wooed by all the eligible bachelors in Paris. But she has eyes only for her former beau Count Danilo, sung by the magnificent and mesmerizing Danish baritone Bo Skovhus. Making a comeback after a twenty-year absence in Houston, THE MERRY WIDOW opens on Thursday January 30th and plays through February 16th, 2003 at The Wortham Theatre. Interview with MELISSA GRAFF, COSTUME DIRECTOR for The Houston Grand Opera. Find out how MELISSA GRAFF, THE COSTUME DIRECTOR puts the whole show together by dressing up hundreds of opera singers, actors, and dancers. Celebrate Valentine's Day with THE MERRY WIDOW which plays through February 16th, 2003 at The Wortham Theatre. Call 713-228-OPERA or 1-800-62-OPERA for tickets and information.


Interview with Houston Grand Opera Costume Director Melissa Graff in THE MERRY WIDOW, HGO 2003. Melissa Graff (Right) fitting one of the performers backstage.






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

THE WEB COUNTER logs you as visitor number