Top Performing Arts & Live Theater Shows in Houston: September 2023

Catch some of the city’s most exciting upcoming performances, happening all month long, with our roundup of live theater and performing arts productions in September 2023.

This month’s performing arts scene is pretty epic, with many of our hometown arts companies launching their 2023-2024 seasons.

For performing arts lovers, it’s truly the most wonderful time of the year, as you get to realize—yet again—what an abundance of riches we have here in Houston.

From classical music to regional play premieres to musicals and dance, there’s something for every taste and budget.

Top Performing Arts & Theater Shows in Houston: September 2023

Opening This Month

• POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive at the Gordy | Friday, September 1 | Ongoing – This feminist farce explores power, misogyny and how women both support and undermine each other. When the president makes an off-color statement including a certain four-letter word, all hell breaks loose. The women on his staff and in his family roll into action to contain the fallout, even as events spool out of their control. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Mercury presents Mozart by Moonlight at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Saturday, September 2 | FREE – The chamber orchestra performs some of Mozart’s most-loved works including “Serenata notturna” and “Eine kleine Nachtmusik,” which is one of classical music’s all-time favorites. This concert is perfect for all ages and all levels of classical music lovers. 8pm.
• Third Annual Texas Latino/a/x Contemporary Dance Festival at MATCH | Saturday, September 2 – This one-night showcase celebrates Latinx choreographers from around the Lone Star State, bringing emerging and established artists to Houston in the largest convening of dance makers of the Latinx diaspora in the Mid-America region. Performers and choreographers include Mariafernanda Baron, Dorianne Castillo, M. Gabriela Estrada, Fernando Ibarra Rocha and more. $15 and up. 8pm.
• Galveston Symphony Orchestra presents A John Williams Celebration at the Grand 1984 Opera House | Sunday, September 3 – Hear the composer’s iconic melodies in this concert, which opens the orchestra’s 2023-2024 season. The selections include pieces from Williams’ enduring film scores, including work from Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter. $10 and up. 4pm.
• AD Players presents Forever Plaid at the George Theater | Wednesday, September 6 | Ongoing – The Plaids are on their way to a gig when they’re hit by a bus and killed instantly. What happens when they return from the afterlife for one final show? The answer lies in this beloved musical filled with barbershop harmonies and enchanting melodies. This production runs through Sunday, October 1. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• DiverseWorks presents D.R.E.A.M = A Way to Afram at MATCH | Wednesday, September 6 to Saturday, September 9 – This immersive performance and installation features the work of Houston’s Li(sa E.) Harris in collaboration with Alisha B. Wormsley. Using sound, movement and visuals, this experience explores how the universe reveals safe spaces for Black beings to exist in their bodies. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.
• Classical Theatre Company presents Medea at the DeLuxe Theater | Thursday, September 7 to Saturday, September 16 – Euripides’ classic Greek tragedy is the story of Medea and her hero husband Jason. When Jason tires of their marriage, Medea vows revenge on him and his new bride. Her actions will leave audiences’ heads spinning. $30. Showtimes vary.

• Houston Grand Opera presents The Butler Studio Showcase at Wortham Center | Thursday, September 14 – An opportunity to hear tomorrow’s opera stars today, this concert features soloists from HGO’s renowned Butler Studio young artist development program, singing selections from Eugene Onegin, The Turn of the Screw, La favorite, Die Fledermaus, Susannah, Béatrice et Bénédict and Madame Butterfly. $20. 7pm.
• What the Constitution Means to Me at Main Street Theater | Saturday, September 16 | Ongoing – This regional premiere tells the story of 15-year-old Heidi, who earned scholarship money for college by taking part in Constitutional debate competitions. As Heidi looks back on her experiences, she considers what one of our most important founding documents means for our history and our future. This production runs through Sunday, October 15. $39 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Performing Arts Houston presents MOMIX: Alice at Jones Hall | Saturday, September 16 & Sunday, September 17 – This new dance work inspired by Alice in Wonderland blends MOMIX’s creativity with dazzling visuals, taking audiences on an unexpected journey through a beloved story. $39 and up. Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 2pm.
• Houston Ballet presents Tutu 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• DaCamera presents Awakenings at Wortham Center | Saturday, September 30 – 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.

Closing This Month

• TUTS presents Jagged Little Pill at Hobby Center | Through Sunday, September 10 – Backed by the songs of Alanis Morrisette, this story of a perfectly imperfect American family explores the themes of love, heartache and strength, even as it tackles deeper issues of drug use and sexual violence. The New York Times called the show one that “stands alongside the original musicals that have sustained the best hopes of Broadway.” Houston native Liesie Kelly joins the ensemble. $40 and up. Showtimes vary.
• The Great American Trailer Park Musical at Art Factory | Through Sunday, September 10 – Come down to Stark, Florida and the mobile home community of Armadillo Acres where new resident and local stripper Pippi is about to seriously shake things up. $30. Showtimes vary.
• Music Box Theater presents Back to the ‘80s at Queensbury Theater | Through Saturday, September 23 – The cabaret group performs a concert of hits from the era of legwarmers, Members Only jackets and big hair. Expect your ‘80s favorites along with hilarity and hijinks. $38 and up. 7:30pm.

---

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!