What’s Happening in Houston’s Theater District

July 2010

WICKED
June 30 – July 25 (Times vary)
Broadway Across America
SO MUCH HAPPENED BEFORE DOROTHY DROPPED IN. Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls
meet in the land of Oz. One - born with emerald green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and
very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for “the most
completely satisfying new musical in a long time” (USA Today).
On Broadway and around the world, WICKED has worked its magic on critics and audiences alike. Winner of 26 major awards,
including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, WICKED is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times).
Hobby Center’s Sarofim Hall
Tickets: $39 - $134
(800) 745-3000 / broadwayacrossamerica.com

SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS

July 2-3 (Times vary)
Southern USA Falun Dafa Assn.
The response to Shen Yun’s productions has been phenomenal. Laughter, tears, and standing ovations are a common sight. In its
inaugural 2007 season the company performed for some 200,000 people. The following year, in 2008, the number swelled to over
500,000, and continued to climb in 2009 with an audience of some 800,000.
Shen Yun has already graced many of the world’s greatest stages, including New York’s Radio City Music Hall, London’s Royal
Festival Hall, Washington DC’s Kennedy Center, and Paris’ Le Palais de Congrès.
Wortham Center’s Brown Theater
Tickets: $80 - $230
(800) 745-3000 / ticketmaster.com

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE MOUSETRAP

July 8 – August 8 (Times vary)
Alley Theatre
Written by the undisputed mistress of the thriller genre, The Mousetrap follows a group of strangers - one of whom is a murderer -
trapped in a boarding house during a snow storm. Is it the newlyweds whose rampant suspicions nearly wreck their marriage, or the
spinster with the curious background? Perhaps it is the architect, the retired Army major, or the odd man who claims his car
overturned in a snow drift?
Originally titled Three Blind Mice, Agatha Christie's famous story began as a 1947 radio play in tribute to Britain's Queen Mary. It
was expanded into The Mousetrap and opened in London in 1952 proving more successful than anyone could have imagined - it
continues to play to this day, making it the longest-running show in theatre history. Though it is well-known that Agatha Christie
gave The Mousetrap to her grandson as a birthday present, no one could have realized at the time what a truly marvelous present
it was.
Hubbard Stage
Tickets: $21 - $49
(713) 220-5700 / alleytheatre.org

CHRONICLE DOLLAR CONCERT

July 10 (7:30 pm)
Houston Symphony
Enjoy the Houston Symphony in Jones Hall for $1 per ticket as Music Director Hans Graf continues this summer tradition of over 50
years! The concert also celebrates the talent of first prize winner of the Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition.
Named to honor the memory of Miss Hogg, a co-founder of the Houston Symphony, this prestigious Competition is open to young
musicians between the ages of 16 and 29 who play standard orchestral instruments or piano. The 2010 event will take place at
Stude Concert Hall at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. Come to see tomorrow's stars in-the-making!
Jones Hall
Tickets: $1 - $10
(713) 224-7575 / houstonsymphony.org
SECOND SATURDAY BOAT CRUISE
July 10 (10:00 am)
Buffalo Bayou Partnership
These 30-minute boat rides are a great way to spend the afternoon with your family. Escape from the city and enjoy the cool breeze
as you glide along the bayou's waters. Look for graceful herons, jumping fish, and even the occasional alligator sunning on the
bayou's banks. After your cruise, enjoy a picnic lunch on the Sabine Promenade grounds.
No reservations necessary (20 person capacity per trip). Boat picks up at Sabine Street Bridge North Boat Landing. Children under
4 are not permitted.
Sabine Promenade
Tickets: $5 - $7 (cash only)
(713) 752-0314 / buffalobayou.org

PATIENCE
July 16-25 (Times vary)
Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston
Two eccentric poets "out-poet" one another to win the love of a simple milkmaid while surrounded by throngs of love sick maidens
(whose soldier boyfriends are none too happy about the situation). The rapier wit of W.S. Gilbert and the timeless music of Sir
Arthur Sullivan combine to prove that Patience isn't just a virtue, it's a comic opera!
Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater
Tickets: $25-$46
gilbertandsullivan.org

THE PLANETS PLUS STAR WARS

July 17 (7:30 pm)
If you missed the sold-out January world premiere of The Planets—An HD Odyssey, or want to relive the experience, now is your
chance! This must-see multimedia event features an HD film of planetary images -- projected on a giant screen over the stage --
paired with a live performance of Gustav Holst's The Planets. Plus, enjoy the celestial inspired works of John Williams as the
orchestra performs musical selections from Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T.!
Jones Hall
Tickets: $22 - $109
(713) 224-7575 / houstonsymphony.org

MARIACHI VARGAS CONCERT

July 17 (7:30 pm)
Munoz Public Relations
The Mexico City based Mariach Vargas de Tecalitlán has been performing for 110 years and more than five generations. The
group is made up of some of the best vocalist and musicians in the world.
Wortham Center’s Brown Theater
Tickets: $29 - $99
(713) 629-3700 / ticketmaster.com

WEIRD AL YANKOVIC
July 17 (8:00 pm)
Verizon Wireless Theater
Tickets: $29 - $49
(713) 230-1600 / livenation.com

RENT
July 22 – August 1 (Times vary)
Masquerade Theatre
The Broadway smash hit finally comes to the Masquerade Theatre, and already the crowds are cheering for the show that turned
the theatre world upside down! Follow a year in the life of eight friends living in the dying post-Bohemia of New York's East Village
at the end of the millennium, and learning to cope with themselves adrift in the chaos of modern life and the ties that bind them all
together - young lovers Roger and Mimi reeling from the shadow of AIDS and the fear of betrayal and loss; street performer Angel
and the studious, life-affirming Tom Collins coming together in spite of the disease ravaging their bodies; Benjamin's marriage into
wealth and the selling out of his Bohemian ideals; Maureen coping with her chronic infidelity through performance art and her
partner Joanne wondering if their love can survive; and Mark, the aspiring filmmaker, observing life through his camera without ever
playing a part. Songs such as "One Song Glory", "La Vie Bohéme", "Seasons of Love" and "I'll Cover You" will rock your soul and
shake your heart with laughter and tears - by the end of the show, you will come to understand that when it comes to living, there is
truly "no day but today".
Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall
Tickets: $36.25 - $66.25
(713) 315-2525 / thehobbycenter.org or masqueradetheatre.com
THE MUSIC OF QUEEN
July 22 (7:30 pm)
Houston Symphony patrons enjoyed sold-out summer performances of The Music of Led Zeppelin and The Music of Pink Floyd.
Now join us and conductor Brent Havens for an evening dedicated to the timeless music of Queen.
Singer Brody Dolyniuk captures the sound and essence of Freddie Mercury while the full orchestra provides the power and harmony
for a full rock concert experience, including rock concert lighting and sound. This concert will feature music from albums such as
Classic Queen, A Night at the Opera, Sheer Heart Attack, Jazz, News of the World, A Kind of Magic, The Works.
Jones Hall
Tickets: $25 - $99
(713) 224-7575 / houstonsymphony.org

LIVE AFTER FIVE

July 23 (5:00 pm)
Across the Board Entertainment
Jones Plaza
Tickets: Free
KMJQ.com

DISTANT WORLDS – MUSIC FROM FINAL FANTASY

July 24 (7:30 pm)
Join us for the Houston premiere of the highly anticipated multi- media concert experience, Distant Worlds: music from FINAL
FANTASY. Conductor Arnie Roth will conduct the orchestra through the extensive musical catalog of every game in the Final
Fantasy series as the video of the games are projected on a large screen above the orchestra. Enjoy new music from the newly
released Final Fantasy XIII, and the upcoming release Final Fantasy XIV’.
Fan favorite composer, Nobuo Uematsu and conductor Arnie Roth will be available for a post concert Q & A session from the stage.
An additional, exclusive meet and greet opportunity will also be available for $75 for the first 100 people who add this to their
concert ticket.
Jones Hall
Tickets: $20 - $95
(713) 224-7575 / houstonsymphony.org

COOL TOUR 2010

July 27 (8:00 pm)
Featuring As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Between the Buried and Me, and more.
Verizon Wireless Theater
Tickets: $29.50 - $32
(713) 230-1600 / livenation.com

ALEJANDRO SANZ
July 28 (8:00 pm)
Verizon Wireless Theater
Tickets: $49.50 - $89.50
(713) 230-1600 / livenation.com

MELISSA ETHERIDGE
July 31 (8:00 pm)
Verizon Wireless Theater
Tickets: $37.50 - $102.50
(713) 230-1600 / livenation.com

ONE LOVE MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 31-August 1 (1:00 pm each day)
Sisterhood Creations Inc.
Music Festival, Children’s Zone and Food
Jones Plaza
Tickets: $20
Sisterhoodcreationsinc.org

Published by the City of Houston’s Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department

4/30/10