See the latest performing arts productions and theater happenings opening across Houston from Monday, October 2 to Sunday, October 8, 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: October 2 to 8, 2023
- Dance Source Houston presents Mind the Gap XXVI at MATCH | Tuesday, October 3 – This evening of works by local choreographers features a variety of dance styles, including aerial, contemporary and modern. Come see why these showcases are among the most-loved by dance audiences. Pay-what-you-can; $15 and up. 7:30pm.
- Switzerland at Stages | Friday, October 6 | Ongoing – In this taut, psychological thriller, Texas murder mystery writer Patricia Highsmith gets a strange visitor to her remote Swiss Alps home. A stranger, a fan of her work, turns up urging her to write another installment of her Tom Ripley series. Will she? Or will something worse happen? Stages favorite Sally Edmunson stars as Patricia. This production runs through Sunday, November 12. $50 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Apollo Chamber Players presents Banned Books at Octavia Fields Branch Library | Saturday, October 7 | FREE – This library concert in honor of Banned Books Week brings the chamber ensemble to Humble, where they present a musical commentary on the “reasoning” behind book censorship and control, with nods to notable books that have been banned historically. 3pm.
- Friendswood Dance Festival at Evelyn B. Newman Amphitheater in Centennial Park | October 7 | FREE – Enjoy an evening of performances by local dance companies, university groups and the Friendswood Contemporary Ballet. Food trucks will also be on hand, selling tasty treats. 6pm.
- Intempo Dance Ensemble presents Day of the Dead Celebration at MATCH | Saturday, October 7 – Come enjoy the Colorful Catrinas and Sugar Skulls dance, surrounded by live music and guided by imaginary beings—alebrijes—as they journey to their new home in this performance inspired by the magical world of the Dia de los Muertos celebration. $15 and up. 7pm.
- Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music presents Open Air at Moody Center for the Arts | Saturday, October 7 | FREE – This world premiere multimedia performance imagines the sounds of the earliest humans. There will also be a showing of 2013’s Time Present and a Q&A with the artists following the performance. 7:30pm.
- Mercury presents Bach’s Mighty Fortress at Wortham Center | Saturday, October 7 – “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” was already a dramatic hymn written by Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation. Then, J.S. Bach added to its majesty. Hear the thrilling work along with other Bach pieces in this concert, which includes the orchestra and singers. $25 and up. 8pm.
- Heroes of the Fourth Turning at Rec Room Arts | Saturday, October 7 | Ongoing – When four friends gather on the edge of the wilderness to honor their mentor, recently named president of a deeply conservative Catholic college, they find their sensibilities and values challenged amid a changing world. Are they really who they thought they were? Find out in this play about grace and redemption. $15 and up. 7:30pm.
- Houston Symphony presents Seong-Jin Cho Plays Ravel at Jones Hall | Saturday, October 7 & Sunday, October 8 – The Chopin International Piano Competition winner brings his exquisite style and unique approach to Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand. Jolas’ A Little Summer Suite and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique are also on the bill. $39 and up. Times vary.
- Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra & Chorus presents Straight from the Soundtrack: Westerns at Stafford Centre | Sunday, October 8 – This afternoon concert celebrates the epic adventure of the Western, with themes to TV shows such as Gunsmoke and The Lone Ranger, choral renditions of the theme to The Alamo and Rawhide, plus other favorites like “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” $15 and up. 2pm.
Final Performances This Week
Saturday, October 7 brings the final performances of Music Box Theater’s Back to the ’80s, as well as See How They Run at Brenham’s Unity Theatre, and 4th Wall Theatre Company’s The Pavilion.
You’ll also have one last chance to see Stages’ POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive on Sunday, October 8.
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