Top Performing Arts & Live Theater This Week: September 25 to October 1, 2023

See the latest performing arts productions and theater happenings opening across Houston from Monday, September 25 to Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Looking for ways to keep the theater calendar straight? We have you covered with this weekly roundup series tracking openings at theaters and performing arts institutions across the city of Houston.

Dig deeper for more ongoing performances happening on stages across Houston by checking out the 365 Houston Calendar.

Here’s our list of must-see openings:

Top Performing Arts Openings This Week: September 25 to October 1, 2023

• Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra presents Musical Exuberance at Rice University’s Stude Concert Hall | Thursday, September 28 – Robert Spano conducts the orchestra in its first concert of the season. Selections include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, Brahms’ Serenade No. 1 in D Major and Knussen’s Two Organa (1995). Tickets are pay-what-you-wish. 7:30pm.
• Richie Goods & Chien Chien Lu present Connected at Asia Society Texas | Friday, September 29 – Jazz-funk bassist Richie Goods and vibraphonist, percussionist and composer Chien Chien Lu collaborated on their album, Connected, which resulted from the discussions they had during the pandemic about Black Lives Matter and anti-Asian violence. The result is a thought-provoking, uplifting series of musical selections, which was named Best Instrumental Album at the 34th Golden Melody Awards. $25. 7pm.
• DaCamera presents Awakenings at Wortham Center | Friday, September 29 – This opening night concert includes works by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Nicky Sohn. The Isadore Quartet, which the Chicago Classical Review praised for their “exquisite poise” and DaCamera artistic director and pianist Sarah Rothenberg perform. $37.50 and up. 8pm.
• TEATRX presents La Vida es Cortos/Life is Short at MATCH | Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 1 – This festival in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month presents stories on stage and screen. This year’s offerings include programming  geared toward young audiences ages five and up. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.
• Houston Symphony presents Daphnis & Chloe at Jones Hall | Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 1 – With Music Director Juraj Valčuha at the podium, the Symphony opens the season with a concert of French masterworks designed to showcase the towering talent of the orchestra and Houston Symphony Chorus. $40 and up. Showtimes vary.

• Catastrophic Theatre presents Waiting for Godot at MATCH | Friday, September 29 | Ongoing – In Samuel Beckett’s absurdist masterpiece, two penniless tramps wait on a road for Mr. Godot to show up, only to find out that he won’t come today, but surely tomorrow. As they wait, they pass the time in every way imaginable. Greg Dean, Charlie Scott, Kyle Sturdivant and Troy Schulze reprise their roles from Catastrophic’s 2013 production, which was hailed by critics across the city for its brilliance. This production runs through Saturday, October 14. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.
• The Manhattan Dolls in Concert at the 1940s Air Terminal Museum | Saturday, September 30 – Relive the music of the 1930s and ‘40s, and how songs of the era captured both the imagination of the country and lifted spirits during World War II. The show benefits programming and operating costs for the museum. $35 and up. 2:30pm and 7pm.
• ROCO presents Seismic at Church of St. John the Divine | Saturday, September 30 – Opening the orchestra’s 19th season, this show features the full orchestra and showcases two ROCO-commissioned world premieres. “Tectonal” features AI text-informed animation and “The Nightingale” gets a new scoring for the full orchestra. Pay-what-you-wish, suggested price of $35. 5pm.
• Open Source Dance presents Flutter: The Monarch Butterfly Project at Houston Botanic Garden | Saturday, September 30 & Sunday, October 1 – This series of three half-hour, immersive contemporary dance performances explores the Monarch butterfly’s migration. This family-friendly event captures the dance ensemble’s athleticism and whimsical storytelling. $15. 4pm to 7pm.

Final Performances This Week

Two productions draw final curtains on Sunday, October 1; Houston Ballet’s Tu Tu at Wortham Center and Forever Plaid from A.D. Players.

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