Photo Flash: First Look at Houston Ballet's MAYERLING at The Hobby Center
Due to Hurricane Harvey, Houston Ballet is unable to perform the opening two productions at the company's home venue. However, Houston Ballet is pleased to report that select performances of fall programming have been rescheduled at THE HOBBY CENTER - SAROFIM HALL. For a limited time from September 22-24 at The Hobby Center, Houston Ballet presents Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling, and will be the first North-American company to perform this compelling production. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!
Photo Flash: Houston Ballet Revives THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
From February 25 - March 6, 2016, in celebration of Artistic Director Emeritus Ben Stevenson's 80th birthday, Houston Ballet will revive his spectacular staging of The Sleeping Beauty. The ballet is a flagship work for the company and a piece that is recognized as one of the supreme achievements of classical ballet. The Sleeping Beauty is based on the classic French fairy tale by Charles Perrault: a beautiful princess is cursed by an evil fairy and doomed to sleep for 100 years - only to be awakened by the kiss of the handsome prince who loves her. Desmond Heeley's spectacular designs beautifully evoke the magic, drama and whimsy of this great work. Houston Ballet will give nine performances of The Sleeping Beauty at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets may be purchased by calling 713 227 2787 or by visiting www.houstonballet.org.
BWW Interview: Houston Ballet's Head of Costumes Laura Lynch on Ben Stevenson's THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
In tribute to Artistic Director Emeritus Ben Stevenson's 80th birthday, Houston Ballet stages Stevenson's lush version of the preeminent ballet THE SLEEPING BEAUTY for the first time in 5 years. In Ivan Vsevolozhsky's libretto, Carabosse, an evil fairy, curses Princess Aurora (the Sleeping Beauty). The princess sleeps for a hundred years, only to be saved when her handsome prince, Florimund, awakens her with a kiss.
Houston Ballet to Present THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, 2/25-3/6
?From February 25 - March 6, 2016, in celebration of Artistic Director Emeritus Ben Stevenson's 80th birthday, Houston Ballet will revive his spectacular staging of The Sleeping Beauty. The ballet is a flagship work for the company and a piece that is recognized as one of the supreme achievements of classical ballet. The Sleeping Beauty is based on the classic French fairy tale by Charles Perrault: a beautiful princess is cursed by an evil fairy and doomed to sleep for 100 years - only to be awakened by the kiss of the handsome prince who loves her. Desmond Heeley's spectacular designs beautifully evoke the magic, drama and whimsy of this great work. Houston Ballet will give nine performances of The Sleeping Beauty at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets may be purchased by calling 713 227 2787 or by visiting www.houstonballet.org.
Houston Ballet to Tour Australia; Premiere Australian Debut of ROMEO AND JULIET, 6/30
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Houston Ballet will make a historic trip to Australia for performances at the Arts Centre Melbourne State Theatre June 30 – July 9, 2016. Houston Ballet's first tour to Australia consists of 12 performances of Artistic Director Stanton Welch's critically acclaimed Romeo and Juliet. For ticket information visit www.australianballet.com.au.
BWW Interviews: Houston Ballet Presents Adapted, Autism-Friendly MY FIRST BALLET: COPPELIA
For the first time at the Houston Ballet, children on the autism spectrum will be able to experience and enjoy a ballet in an environment crafted specifically for them. With a special performance of MY FIRST BALLET: COPPELIA, the Houston Ballet Academy makes its first foray into autism-friendly performances. To accommodate the children during this special performance, house lights will be kept on, audience members will be able to easily enter and exit the theater as needed, and sensory toys will be available.
Houston Ballet's 2014 Holiday Season to Debut with THE NUTCRACKER
HOUSTON, TEXAS - From November 28 - December 28, 2014, Houston Ballet celebrates the holidays with Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker, seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 27 years ago. 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 King Rat before embarking on a wondrous journey through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. Young and old alike will experience the many special effects, including the Christmas tree which "grows" to 40 feet, 200 pounds of "snow" falling during the snow scene, and the firing of cannon onstage. Houston Ballet will give 35 performances of The Nutcracker, to a live orchestra, in the Brown Theater at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets may be purchased by calling 713-227-2787 or logging on to www.houstonballet.org.
BWW Interview: Sara Webb Talks Houston Ballet's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Houston Ballet's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, choreographed by John Neumeier, is a mix of neo-classical ballet, classical ballet, and the bard's timeless tale. In this interview, BWW had the pleasure of talking to Sara Webb, principal dancer for the Houston Ballet and Hippolyta and Hermia in this classic romantic comedy.
BWW Reviews: Houston Ballet's SWAN LAKE is Beautiful
Houston Ballet is closing their 2013-2014 season with a gorgeous revival of Stanton Welch's SWAN LAKE. Settling in for the lengthy production, I could barely contain my excitement. Impressed as I was by the show, I discovered that Darren Aronosky's Black Swan left me with expectations for the ballet that were not delivered.
BWW Interviews: Sara Webb Talks Houston Ballet's SWAN LAKE
Summer is upon us, and Houston Ballet is helping Houstonians beat the heat by presenting the idyllic classic SWAN LAKE. Featuring choreography by Stanton Welch, this version of SWAN LAKE first premiered in 2006 and this production marks the third time that Houston Ballet dances this crowd-pleasing version. In anticipation of Thursday's opening night, I recently chatted with Sara Webb about SWAN LAKE and dancing the iconic dual roles of the White and Black Swans.
Summer Stages: BWW's Top Summer Theatre Picks - Houston!
Living in Houston and covering Houston's illustrious theatre scene thoroughly spoils us. However, we are always more than happy to share the wealth and talk about what is happening all over town. This summer, we are thrilled that Houston's theatre community is embracing women and giving Houston audiences the chance to see a plethora of shows featuring strong female characters and fascinating female leads.
Houston Ballet Presents SWAN LAKE, 6/5-15
From June 15-15, 2014, Houston Ballet will cap its 2013-14 season with Stanton Welch's vibrantly theatrical staging of Swan Lake, which he created for Houston Ballet in 2006. Set to the hauntingly beautiful Tchaikovsky score, Swan Lake tells the classic tale of Odette - a beautiful maiden transformed into a swan by an evil knight - and the prince who swears his enduring love for her. It's good and evil in black and white, danced on rich and spectacular sets by the late, great New Zealand designer Kristian Fredrikson. Houston Ballet will give nine performances of Swan Lake at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.