ARTS + EVENTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

ARTS + EVENTS

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THEATER

Intown’s Classical Music Critic, the Hon. Philip Berquist

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia for Texas Holiday Cultural Events

A.D. PLAYERS The Christmas Shoes

Nov. 24 through Dec.23

ALLEY THEATRE

A Christmas Carol

Nov. 19 through Dec. 29

Broadway Across America Hobby Center

Tootsie

November 16 through 21

Match

A Little House Christmas

Nov. 7 through Dec. 18

Stages Repertory Theatre

Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold

November 26 through December 31

The Ensemble Theater

Motown Christmas

Nov. 18 through Dec. 26

Theatre Under the Stars

The Little Mermaid

Dec. 7 through 24

It is time to list the major cultural events in Houston for the holiday months of November and December 2021. Let’s begin.

Houston Ballet

Opening night is November 26, 2021, and marks the return of the annual favorite, “The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky. There will be 31 performances of the holiday classic which will conclude with a 2 pm matinee on Christmas Eve. Due to the pandemic, this family jewel was not presented in 2020. All performances are back at the Brown Theater of the Wortham Theater Center. Ticket prices range from $35 to $158. For ticket purchases go to www.houstonballet.org or call 888.684.3582.

Houston Grand Opera

Also returning to the Brown Theater at the Wortham Theater Center is HGO and their opening presentation of “Carmen” by Bizet. There are six performances of this “contemporary” production. Ticket prices range from $20 to $210. Tickets are available at the HGO Box Office at 550 Prairie. The email address is customercare@hgo.org, and the website is www.HGO.org. Or call 713.228.6737.

The dates and times of the remaining four November performances are as follow:

Wednesday, 3 November, 7:30 pm; Friday, 5 November, 7:30 pm; Saturday 6 November, 7:30 pm; Sunday, 6 November, matinee, 2:00 pm.

Houston Symphony Orchestra

HSO performs at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, 615 Louisiana Street. HSO provides a wide variety of performance series and the November and December schedules are as follow:

• “Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Songbook”

The music of one of the most influential musicians of jazz. Steven Reineke conducts the Houston POPS Orchestra with Byron Stripling on trumpet. Friday, 5 November, 8:00pm; Saturday, 6 November, 8:00pm; Sunday, 7 November, matinee, 2:30:pm.

• “Hélène Grimaud Plays Ravel”

I have not yet seen Ms Grimaud perform, but I will not miss this opportunity. Her recordings are exquisite and she is a major talent at the piano. Friday, 19 November, 8:00pm; Saturday, 20 November, 8:00pm; Sunday, 21 November, matinee, 2:30pm.

• “Thanksgiving Weekend: Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty”

Fabien Gabel conducts, Simone Lamsma, violin, music of Bruch, Humperdinck, and Tchaikovsky. Friday, 26 November, 8:00pm; Saturday, 27 November, 8:00pm; Sunday, 28 November, matinee, 2:30pm.

• “Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and Gil Shazam”

HSO Music Director, in his last season, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, concurs and the brilliant Gil Shazam, violin performs music of Barber and Tchaikovsky. Friday, 3 December, 8:00pm; Saturday, 5 December, 8:00pm; Sunday, 6 December, matinee, 2:30pm.

• “Musical Treats from The Nutcracker - for Kids!

Saturday, 4 December, special morning times, 10:00 am, and 11:30 am.

• “Handel’s Messiah”

Friday, 10 December, 8:00pm; Saturday, 11 December, 8:00pm; Sunday, 12 December, matinee, 2:30pm.

• “Very Merry Pops”

Saturday, 18 December, matinee, 2:30 pm, & 8:00 pm.

Well, that is the schedule for our three major arts presenters.

For tickets to HSO, Box Office, 713.224.7575.

Let me hear from you, classicalmusicberquist@

gmail.com

Happy Holidays!