See the latest performing arts productions and theater happenings opening across Houston from Monday, August 31 to Sunday, September 6, 2026.
I love a weekly performing arts openings column that shows Houston in all its artistic diversity. This week brings performances that spotlight Czech music and dance, Hindustani vocals and flamenco. Whether you are celebrating a heritage that is your own, or open to exploring a culture you don’t know, this week’s performances have you covered.
I love it when I get to see Houston’s performing arts organizations thrive. This week, Mildred’s Umbrella kicks off its 25th season. They open the quarter-century milestone with a show about identity and desire, told in a funny, fiercely queer way. Shout out to artistic director Jennifer Decker for her commitment to telling stories by and about women and their experiences.
I once had a contract writing for Prairie View A&M’s news office, and I learned so much about the university’s incredible legacy. That legacy serves as the inspiration for a world-premiere performance celebrating the school’s 125th anniversary.
This week, you’ll also find a new take on a classic story, performances by two of Houston’s most-loved ensembles and an evening of Latin American artistry.
Go see performing arts, Houston!
Top Live Theater & Performing Arts in Houston This Week: August 31 to September 6 2026
Showtime! New Openings & This Week Only Shows
2026 Houston Theater Week | Monday | Last Day – Extended for one extra day, the wildly popular buy-one-get-one ticket event returns, giving you the chance to grab seats for a host of performing arts shows just in time for the 2026-27 arts season. Prices vary. Learn more.
Heart of Moravia at Czech Center Museum | Wednesday – Lintava, a renowned cimbalom band from Kunovice, Czech Republic, showcases authentic songs and dances that celebrate the beauty, rhythm, and heritage of southeastern Moravia. $20. 7pm. Get tickets.
Houston Symphony: Josh Groban: Stage, Screen & Symphony at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Thursday – The beloved singer brings a night of Broadway favorites, cinematic classics, and more—from “You Raise Me Up” and “To Where You Are” to “Believe”—to The Woodlands. $27+. 7:30pm. Get tickets.
Mildred’s Umbrella: Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties at Spring Street Studios | Opens Thursday | Ongoing – Five different women—all named Betty—find their lives colliding when one of them decides to stage a play. This funny, fiercely queer story explores identity, desire, and connection. Not recommended for those under 16. Pay-What-You-Can. Times vary. Get tickets.
Houston Symphony: Ben Rector: Symphonies Across America with Jon McLaughlin at Jones Hall | Friday – The touring singers deliver anthem sing-a-longs, quippy humor and deep, meaningful lyrics, backed by orchestra arrangements on the symphony stage. $69+. 7:30pm. Get tickets.
Double Feature: WindSync & Musiqa in Concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday | FREE – Two of Houston’s most-loved music ensembles offer a double bill, demonstrating how dynamic classical music can be. From energetic performances to blending music with multimedia, this is a concert exploding with energy. 8pm. Learn more.
Performing Arts Houston: Harrison Guy: Dear Prairie View at Wortham Center | Friday & Saturday – Celebrate 150 years of Prairie View A&M at a world premiere tribute. $39+. 7:30pm both nights. Get tickets.
Zoom Shakespeare Productions: Thornfield – A Story of Jane Eyre at MATCH | Opens Friday | Ongoing – Evocative projections and movement transport audiences into the world of Charlotte Brontë’s timeless story of a woman claiming her autonomy in a bold new adaptation. $25. Times vary. Get tickets.
Indian Musical Society of Houston: Hindustani Vocal Recital at University of St. Thomas | Saturday – Enjoy a concert showcasing Hindustani music by Rancha Boads, accompanied by Pt. Shantilal Shah and Praneet Marathe. $25. 5pm. Get tickets.
Maribel Plasencia: Letras del pantano (Verses from the Swamp) at MATCH | Saturday – The evening of flamenco and contemporary dance is a series of vignettes, telling the stories of Renata, Pepa, and Penelope, each inspired by places, sounds, and emotions experienced in a city with frequent trains and muddy paths. $20. 7:30pm. Get tickets.
Mercury Chamber Orchestra: Baroque to Boleros at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Saturday | FREE – Experience the sultry artistic sensations of Latin America, from fun Baroque dances to fiery boleros sung by mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte, set against the backdrop of Hermann Park. 8pm. Learn more.
Jaane Pehchaane Anjane at Stafford Centre | Saturday – The Hindi musical explores the complexities of human connection and stars Anupam Kher and Swaroop Sampat. $40+. 8pm. Get tickets.
Houston Symphony: How to Train Your Dragon in Concert at Jones Hall | Saturday & Sunday – The symphony performs the entire score, live to the original animated 2010 film (PG). $31+. Times vary. Get tickets.
Galveston Symphony Orchestra’s September Pops: And the Oscar Goes To... at The Grand 1894 Opera House | Sunday – The orchestra launches its 48th season with a concert of selections from Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Les Misérables, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Apollo 13, JFK, and more.$25+. 4pm. Get tickets.
Curtain Call! Closing This Week
On Sunday, A.D. Players’ Holly Street reveals its final secret at The George Theater.
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