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    New Nutcracker

    Houston Ballet season features a new Nutcracker , a Tempest, and classics

    Clifford Pugh
    Jan 31, 2016 | 5:50 am

    After 29 years, the Houston Ballet is getting a new Nutcracker.

    The update to the venerable holiday classic, which provides a significant amount of revenue for most ballet companies, is the lynchpin of the Houston Ballet's 2016-17 season, released on Sunday. The new production, created by Houston Ballet artistic director Stanton Welch with costumes and sets by acclaimed designer Tim Goodchild, will debut on November 25 and run through December 27.

    In addition to the revamped Nutcracker, the ballet will present six other new works, including the American premiere of David Bintley’s The Tempest, and offerings from noted choreographers Jerome Robbins, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, and Justin Peck.

    But the season could just as well be dubbed the "Stanton Welch show" because, in addition his new Nutcracker, it includes the classic ballets, Madame Butterfly and Cinderella, both choreographed by the Houston Ballet artistic director, and his intepretation of La Bayadère, which closes the season.

    Highlights include:

    Director’s Choice: American Ingenuity (September 8-18)

    The 47th season opens with a mixed repertory program that includes two Houston Ballet premieres: "Other Dances," choreographed by Jermone Robbins, and William Forsythe’s "Artifact Suite." Also on the program is "Theme and Variations," George Balanchine’s tribute to the Imperial Russian Ballet.

    Madame Butterfly (September 22 – October 2)

    The ballet, which Welch created for the Australian Ballet in 1995 as his first full-length ballet, details the classic story of a Japanese geisha who gives up everything to marry an American naval lieutenant. It returns, along with his "Son of Chamber Symphony," a deconstruction of classical ballet set to music by John Adams, who seems to be the composer of the moment with tributes by the Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera this season as well.

    The Nutcracker (November 25-December 27)

    Welch's highly anticipated new production of the holiday classic has some new touches, like a Christmas tree that touches the ceiling and an expanded cast of characters.

    Houston Ballet’s Jubilee of Dance (December 2)

    For the 13th season in a row, company members showcase premieres and high-energy excerpts from signature works and beloved classics in the one-night-only event. An onstage dinner for patrons takes place immediately after the performance.

    Cinderella (March 2-12, 2017)

    Created by Welch for the Australian Ballet in 1997 and performed twice previously by Houston Ballet (in 2008 and 2012), the classic tale veers from the traditional, with a gutsy tomboy main character who is no princess.

    Director’s Choice: Legends and Prodigy (March 16 – 26, 2017)

    The mixed repertory program includes the Houston premiere of Justin Peck's "Year of the Rabbit," which showcases the corps de ballet, along with Jiří Kylián's "Stepping Stones," created during a visit to Australia as a reflection on man’s desire to preserve his heritage, and Hans van Manen’s "Grosse Fuge," which showcases Houston Ballet’s strong male lineup.

    The Tempest (May 25 – June 4, 2017)

    The American premiere of David Bintley’s magical ballet celebrates the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with a new production of the bard's well-known play. The Tempest is an international co-production with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

    La Bayadère (June 8 – 18, 2017)

    Stanton Welch’s colorful staging of La Bayadère is classical ballet with a touch of Bollywood, featuring lavish scenery depict the jungles of India and costumes by Peter Farmer and he famous Shades scene, staged for the entire corps de ballet.

    For more information, visit the Houston Ballet website.

    The new Nutcracker includes new outfits for the Snow Guards.

    Houston Ballet new Nutcracker drawing of Snow Guards
      
    Sketch by Tim Goodchild
    The new Nutcracker includes new outfits for the Snow Guards.
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    Salutations, Soo Youn

    Houston Ballet principal dancer announces retirement after 13 years

    Holly Beretto
    Jun 20, 2025 | 10:00 am
    ​Houston Ballet Principal Soo Youn Cho
    Photo by Amitava Sarkar (2016). Courtesy of Houston Ballet.
    Houston Ballet Principal Soo Youn Cho and in Theme and Variations.

    Houston Ballet principal dancer Soo Youn Cho has announced her retirement, after 13 years with the company.

    For more than a decade, she has captivated audiences with her elegance, emotional authenticity, and technical brilliance. Audiences have seen her in roles such as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Kitri in Don Quixote, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and Suzuki in Madame Butterfly, among many others.

    Cho’s retirement follows a period of recovery from spinal surgery prompted by chronic back issues that intensified during and after her pregnancy.

    "This decision was not made lightly, but with a great deal of reflection and acceptance over the past year," said Cho. “Since I first began ballet at the age of four, it has been the greatest love of my life. Even through pain and injury, I felt joy and purpose in every moment. I gave my best to every step along the way, and I now leave the stage with a peaceful heart and deep gratitude.”

    Cho further said that even before becoming pregnant, she had been managing chronic back issues throughout her career.

    “With dedication, careful conditioning, and the unwavering support of those around me, I was able to continue dancing for many years,” she said. “Despite my best efforts to recover, I’ve come to the difficult realization that I won’t be able to return to dancing at the level I once did. With a heavy but full heart, I’ve decided to retire from the stage.”

    Born in Korea and trained there, as well as in Canada and Germany, Cho danced with Opera Leipzig Ballet in Leipzig, Germany and the Tulsa Ballet in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she was promoted to principal in 2010. She joined the Houston Ballet in 2012 as a demi soloist. She quickly rose through the ranks, promoted to soloist in 2014, then first soloist in 2016. In 2018, she became the Houston Ballet’s first Korean principal.

    Upon achieving the designation, she said, “I feel like I have made an important mark in history, along with other great dancers, for my people in such a great company.”

    Cho’s roles onstage reflected her wide artistic range and commitment to storytelling through dance. Her Houston Ballet colleagues and audiences admire and praise the passion and sincerity she brought to every performance. One of those, Cho’s portrayal of Suzuki in Madame Butterfly, is especially close to her heart, not only for its emotional depth but for the lifelong friendship it sparked with fellow principal Yuriko Kajiya.

    “Becoming part of this Company and working alongside such extraordinary people has been one of the greatest blessings and privileges of my life. I close this chapter with a full heart and immense appreciation for the art, the audiences, and the people who made it all so meaningful.”

    Cho said that while she doesn’t yet know what will come next, she departs the company filled with gratitude.

    “Looking back, I feel nothing but gratitude,” she said. “Gratitude for the incredible colleagues and mentors I’ve shared the studio with. Gratitude for the audiences who supported us performance after performance. And gratitude for the art form itself — so demanding, so beautiful, and so deeply rewarding. I leave the stage with peace in my heart. Because I gave everything I had to this journey, I can move forward without regret.”

    \u200bHouston Ballet Principal Soo Youn Cho
      

    Photo by Amitava Sarkar (2016). Courtesy of Houston Ballet.

    Houston Ballet Principal Soo Youn Cho and in Theme and Variations.

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