Top Performing Arts & Live Theater This Week: September 18 to 24, 2023

See the latest performing arts productions and theater happenings opening across Houston from Monday, September 18 to Sunday, September 24, 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 18 to 24, 2023

• Chamber Music Houston presents Emerson String Quartet at Rice University’s Stude Concert Hall | Tuesday, September 19 – The world-renowned ensemble opens Chamber Music Houston’s 67th season with a program featuring works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn and a new work by Sarah Kirkland Snider, commissioned for the quartet’s retirement. $20 and up. 7:30pm.
• Houston Ballet presents Tu Tu at Wortham Center | Thursday, September 21 | Ongoing – The ballet opens its season with a triple bill featuring the Houston premiere of Balanchine’s iconic “Stars and Stripes,” set to the marches of John Philip Sousa; Delmira, a world premiere Houston Ballet commission from Colombian Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa; and Stanton Welch’s Tu Tu, with its tongue-in-cheek choreography set to Ravel’s Concerto for Piano in G major. This production runs through Sunday, October 1. $25 and up. Showtimes vary.
• See How They Run at Unity Theatre in Brenham | Thursday, September 21 | Ongoing – Hilarity and confusion arise when an English village’s resident spinster becomes convinced the vicar’s wife is up to no good. Set during the 1940s, this comedic romp is a classic British farce that first premiered in 1943. $15 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Limelight at Kinder High School for the Performing & Visual Arts | Friday, September 22 – Hear the students of the school’s vocal program perform a series of selections in this cabaret-style performance, which demonstrates a range of music genres. $10. 6:30pm.
• Kun Yang-Lin/Dancers present KyLin’s Garden at Asia Society Texas Center | Friday, September 22 – See the internationally acclaimed Asian American dance company in its first appearance at Asia Society Texas, in a production showcasing the ensemble’s rich history and repertoire. Evoking the kylin, an Asian mythological creature that combines elements of five animals into one body, KyLin’s Garden: A Space for Tending, Sharing & Imagination brings together different artistic voices to form an ensemble that flourishes as a whole. $25. 7:30pm.

• Ars Lyrica presents Fallen Angels at Hobby Center | Friday, September 22 – The early music ensemble opens its 2023-2024 season with this exploration of the paranormal in Baroque music. Selections from Carissimi’s harrowing Judgement of Solomon and from Henry Purcell’s spirited Fairy Queen are included. $15 and up. 7:30pm.
• Uptown Dance Company presents Take~Off at MATCH | Friday, September 22 & Saturday, September 23 – The company marks its 23rd season with three world premieres. Red, White and Blue pays tribute to country heritage and American music; Sinatra showcases choreography inspired by one of the 20th century’s most iconic voices; and Indigenous pays homage to a tribe that thrived in Brazil in the early 15th century. $15 and up. 7:30pm.
• Houston Symphony presents Blockbuster Broadway at Jones Hall | Friday, September 22 & Saturday, September 23 – The Symphony is joined by Norm Lewis, the Broadway actor who originated the role of King Triton in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and appeared with John Legend in Jesus Christ Superstar Live, for an evening of songs from the Great White Way, including “Stars” from Les Miserables, “I Got Plenty o Nuttin” from Porgy and Bess, “Being Alive” from Company and more. $34 and up. 8pm.
• 4th Wall Theatre Company presents The Pavilion at Spring Street Studios | Friday, September 22 | Ongoing – Craig Wright’s play explores the lives, loves and regrets of Peter and Kari, high school sweethearts who reunite at their 20th high school reunion. Called an “Our Town for our time,” critics around the country have praised the show’s deft dialogue and insight to relationships. This production runs through Saturday, October 7. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.

• Chicken & Biscuits at Ensemble Theatre | Friday, September 22 | Ongoing – Douglas Lyons’ family comedy examines what happens when the Jenkins crew comes together to celebrate the life and legacy of the family patriarch. Things unravel when a family secret turns up at the funeral. This production runs through Sunday, October 15. $34 and up. Showtimes vary.
• American Mariachi at Alley Theatre | Friday, September 22 | Ongoing – In this play about dreaming big, it’s the 1970s, and Lucha wants to form a mariachi band. But girls don’t do that. Or can they? This heartwarming clash of cultures showcases what it means to embrace all of your heritage. This production runs through Sunday, October 22. $35 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Musiqa presents Made in Houston at Cactus Music | Saturday, September 23 | FREE – This in-store event at the iconic Houston record shop celebrates Musiqa’s very first record release, featuring six original commissions highlighting music for saxophones, percussion and strings by some of the country’s most exciting up-and-coming composers. 1pm.
• Main Street Theater for Youth presents Carmela Full of Wishes at MATCH | Sunday, September 24 | Ongoing – This touching tale is the story of Carmela, who has a very special wish to help keep her family together. Based on the children’s book by Matt de la Peña, it’s a family-friendly production that explores hope in the migrant community. This production runs through Saturday, October 21. $20 and up. Showtimes vary.

Final Performances This Week

Catch the Dolly Parton-fueled production of 9 to 5: The Musical at Beaumont’s Crighton Theater through Sunday, September 24.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!