As we weather through the chilly days of a Houston winter, we can seek refuge and escape in the city’s theaters. Families can imagine being transported to exotic lands with the spirited storytelling and dynamic music being performed on stages around town over the next couple of weeks.
Parents can encourage creativity with the unconventional choreography and unique sounds of STOMP’s percussion group. Children can learn lessons on discovery and courage through the tales, set to song, of Thumbelina and Daniel and the Dreamcatcher. And the whole family can travel the world together through the interactive classical concerts presented by the Houston Symphony and the Shepherd School of Music.
Aladdin and the Arabian Nights
When: January 19; two shows 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Where: Jones Hall, Presented by Houston Symphony, 713-224-7575, www.houstonsymphony.org
Story line: Conductor Robert Franz and the Houston Symphony take families on a journey through Arabia with fantastic musical pieces that include familiar favorites from Disney’s Aladdin. Also scheduled to take the stage are members of the Clear Creek High School Symphonic Chorale and Storyteller Hope Shiver.
"My favorite part of the Family Concerts is seeing how this combination of music, along with the effervescent personality of Maestro Robert Franz, really brings out the best of all generations — from toddlers, to middle school-age kids to parents and grandparents," says Houston Symphony education coordinator Allison Conlan. "Looking out in the audience during the concert or around the instrument petting zoo area and seeing so many people enjoying themselves, what more could you ask for in a Saturday morning?"
Families can arrive early before the 10 a.m. concert or stay late after the 11:30 a.m. concert to participate in activities including an instrument petting zoo and arts and crafts.
Length: 1 hour
Ticket price: $16 for Children, $24 for Adults
When: January 15-February 2, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.
Where: A.D. Players, Grace Theater, 2710 W. Alabama, 713-526-2721, www.adplayers.org
Story line: This is the world premiere of this musical adaptation of the classic fairytale Thumbelina. Hans Christian Andersen first published the original story back in 1835. Thumbelina is a tiny girl who is no bigger than her mother’s thumb. She is taken away from her home by a toad. She encounters quite the cast of characters on her adventures.
"Will Ledesma's adaptation and Braden Hunt's music capture a stunning fantasy world and is sure to evoke the imagination of everyone who sees it," says Kevin Dean, director of children's theater at A. D. Players.
Length: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ticket price: $10, $6 for groups of 10 or more
When: January 25 at 8 p.m.; January 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; January 27 at 2 p.m.
Where: Jones Hall, Presented by the Society for the Performing Arts, 713-227-4772, www.spahouston.org
Story line: An eight-member troupe uses unconventional items as percussion instruments to create powerful and memorable music. Parents and children are awestruck with the explosive music the performers create using matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, hubcaps and garbage cans.
“Older generations who first saw STOMP when it began touring in the mid-1990s are now sharing the experience with younger generations,” says Karen Watassek, the Society for the Performing Arts director of public relations. “The show is truly timeless – and always a favorite when in Houston.”
Length: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ticket price: $35 - $80
Debussy-Revueltas Family Concert
When: January 26, 11 a.m.
Where: Stude Concert Hall, Alice Pratt Brown Hall, Rice University. Presented by the Shepherd School of Music, 713-348-3492, www.theshepherdsociety.org
Storyline: Families will experience the rhythmic and energetic music of French composer Claude Debussy and Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas. The colorful selections evoke images of nature, city life and festive traditions.
Rachel Buchman, Head of the Young Children’s Division at the Shepherd School of Music, will narrate.
Buchman says, “Thematically, the pieces are connected through Latin culture – Debussy’s Ibéria reflects the music and street life of Spain and Revueltas’ Sensemayá, the music and religious rituals of Afro-Cuban culture. Together the pieces evoke the old world and the new world, and the Hispanic culture they share. Children will come away from the concert stirred in body and soul while learning about musical Impressionism and a snake ceremony.”
Families can arrive by 10:30 a.m. for instrument demonstrations in the Grand Foyer. Children can speak with members of the orchestra and ask questions.
Length: 50 minutes
Ticket price: Free
Daniel and the Dreamcatcher
When: January 31, February 1 & 2, 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. daily
Where: Heinen Theatre, Houston Community College Central Campus, Presented by Houston Grand Opera Opera to Go!, 713-546-0230, www.houstongrandopera.org/operatogo
Storyline: Daniel and the Dreamcatcher is a children’s opera that tells the story of a young boy who won’t go to bed because he’s afraid of the giant in his closet. Daniel learns a valuable lesson about bravery and confronting his fears. This opera by Sterling Tinsley is based on an original story by Houston playwright Kate Pogue.
“We decided to bring Daniel and the Dreamcatcher back for two reasons. First, Mr. Tinsley recently revised the score, and second, we wanted to create a new production with our talented designers. The lively show requires seven puppets, and we knew immediately that we would want them to be designed by puppet designer, James Wojtal, Jr.
This production also features backdrops designed by illustrator Ashley Smith and costumes by Clair Hummel, with set pieces and props by HGO’s properties design director Megan,” says Kade Smith, Houston Grand Opera director of Opera To Go!
Members of Opera To Go! are artists in residence at the Houston Community College, Fine Arts Department.
Length: 45 minutes
Ticket price: Free
Bernadette Versoza is founder of ParentsPost.com, a website that covers new and exciting things for families to do in the Houston area.
Jesse Merrill as Prince Thomas, Kelsey Cratty as Thumbelina and Craig Griffin as Mole in Thumbelina at A.D. Players
The collection has a lot more room to expand in this new space.Photo courtesy of the Downtown Austin Alliance
Cafe tables are great for flipping through new finds with Cielito Lindo's signature horchata latte.Photo courtesy of the Downtown Austin Alliance