Silver anniversary memories
Rise of the Wortham Theater Center: How it all began
Jun 2, 2012 | 4:30 pm

Photo by Jia Li
In the 1980s, everyone agreed that Houston needs a new performing arts center. Even a recession couldn't stop the Wortham Center from rising in downtown Houston.
Houston Ballet led off the first regular season in Wortham Center with a lavish new production of Prokofiev's full-length Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Stevenson with sets and costumes by David Walker. Houston Grand Opera once again turned to Aida just as it had 21 years earlier in opening its former home, Jones Hall. The inaugural 1987 performance featured Mirella Freni, taking on the title role for the first time in eight years, and Placido Domingo. It was followed by the world premiere of John Adams' Nixon in China, directed by Peter Sellars. The opera, commissioned by HGO, drew worldwide attention from the international media and proved that Houston is a mecca for the arts. ----- The Alice and George Brown Theatre, the larger of the two Wortham Center theaters, seats around 2,400.