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Houston Ballet leaps into new season with a trip to Neverland, Beach Boys vibes, and a holiday favorite

Peter Pan kicks off the new season.

Photo courtesy of Houston Ballet

Fans of our beloved ballet can now book dates for fall’s most anticipated shows. Houston Ballet single tickets for its fall performances are now on sale now, the ballet announced.

The ballet’s 2022-2023 season kicks off with the classic Peter Pan, a dynamic, triple-billed series dubbed Good Vibrations, and ends the year with the cherished holiday favorite, The Nutcracker.

Individual tickets start at $25 (and starting at $30 for The Nutcracker) and can be found online. Here is a rundown of the shows set to run at the Wortham Theater Center this fall and winter.

Peter Pan
September 9-18

The ballet leaps into the new season with Sir James M. Barrie’s children’s classic that has been long cherished across the globe. Choreographed by Trey McIntyre, the story follows Wendy, John, Michael, and Peter’s journey to the magical — and sometimes wild — world of Neverland.

Expect high-flying scenes, swashbuckling swordfights, larger-than-life puppets, and punk-inspired costumes. Broadway World dubbed Houston Ballet’s version, “a magical ballet produced by a supremely talented dance company.”

Good Vibrations
September 22-October 2

This three-part series celebrates Australian artistry, a rhythmic interpretation of classical giant’s symphony, and an eagerly anticipated world premiere of a Beach Boys-inspired romp.

First up is the vibrant, Australian-focused Red Earth, which is accompanied by an original score from Peter Sculthorpe and artwork from scenic designer Kevin “Pro” Hart.

The Letter V, the second in the series, was crafted by choreographer Mark Morris for the Houston Ballet in 2015. Here, dancers respond to the music of Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 88 in G Major.

Finally, Good Vibrations closes the series with a salute to the Beach Boys. Featuring a commissioned score by Christopher Austin, the show marks the inaugural Houston Ballet debut for internationally acclaimed choreographer, Arthur Pita. Expect a lively, head-nodding show that promises to be a whole vibe.

The Nutcracker
November 25–December 24

In a time-honored holiday tradition for generations of Houstonians, the ballet closes 2022 with arguably its grandest spectacle each year. Tchaikovsky’s dazzling world comes alive for viewers of all ages with elaborate costumes, sword fights, a sky-scraping Christmas tree, and a set that seems positively dreamy.

Vivid and enchanting, the story follows Clara and Drosselmeyer as they venture to the Kingdom of Sweets and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince, with a host of unforgettable characters along the way. This year’s Nutcracker run is dedicated to Patsy Chapman, who has worked with the ballet and Nutcracker Market Patsy Chapman for decades.

“We are excited to return to the stage with these two fantastic fall performances before ending the year with Houston’s ultimate holiday tradition, The Nutcracker,” said Stanton Welch AM, Houston Ballet’s artistic director, in a statement. “Our team is hard at work preparing our spectacular fall performances, and we can’t wait to share another holiday season with the Houston community.”

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The Houston Ballet performs at The Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. For tickets, schedules, and more information, visit the Houston Ballet online.

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Musical theater veteran joins prominent Houston company

Courtesy of Stages

Stages has named Valerie Rachelle as its new associate artist director.

A Houston theater company is adding an accomplished artist to its ranks. Stages announced that Valerie Rachelle will be the company’s new associate artistic director beginning in January 2026.

For more than a decade, Rachelle has been artistic director of the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, Oregon, where she oversaw artistic vision and operations. That theater specializes in musical theater performances offered in a cabaret setting.

Rachelle comes to Houston with a career spanning nearly 30 years as a director and choreographer. She has extensive experience in developing new musicals and plays for regional theaters and opera companies across the United States, including the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Sierra Repertory Theatre. She was appointed to her position at Stages following a nationwide search.

“I’m beyond thankful for this opportunity to join this incredible company, and I’m excited to be a part of a creative entity that has a strong mission and vision as Stages,” Rachelle said in a statement.

In her role with Stages, she will support artistic director Derek Charles Livingston with season planning and casting; liaise with artists, press, and staff; and coordinate day-to-day operations for the artistic department. She will also assist with crafting educational materials, direct and choreograph productions, and serve as the primary liaison with theatrical unions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Valerie to Stages in this role,” said Livingston. “I have seen her work as a director and director choreographer — she's excellent. Those skills combined with her experience as a theatre artistic director and manager only further fortify Stages' commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement.”

Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Rachelle began her career as a dancer and apprentice ballerina with the Eugene Ballet Company before earning her BFA in acting from California Institute of the Arts. She received her MFA in Directing from the University of California, Irvine. She has held teaching and directing positions at numerous institutions, including the University of Southern California, Southern Oregon University, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and others. She has also served as a mentor through Statera Arts, an organization dedicated to gender equity in the arts.

Rachelle teaches musical theater, auditioning, and singing at Southern Oregon University when she isn’t on the road as a freelance director and choreographer. She’s also a classically trained singer and toured the world with her parents and their illusionist show as a child.

“Joining the team that has a long-standing reputation of excellence in theater is an honor,” Rachelle added.

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