take the stage

10 under-the-radar Houston arts companies take a bow with new seasons

Houston has many assets, and one of them is a thriving arts community. The city is one of only a handful in the nation to be a home to a symphony orchestra, theater companies, a ballet, and an opera company. The wealth of arts options is a testament to the city's creativity and the love and support audiences feel performing arts companies.

CultureMap has previewed the 2024-2025 seasons for the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Ballet, and the Broadway series at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Here are some highlights for the upcoming seasons at 10 of Houston's small- and mid-size performing arts organizations.

4th Wall Theatre Company
Based out of Studio 101 at Spring Street Studios, the award-winning company begins its 14th season in September. The four-show series includes Swing State, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Topdog/Underdog, and Hamlet. Swing State is the newest play of the bunch, premiering in 2022. The Chicago Tribune called it "perhaps the first of the great American post-COVID plays.It explores themes of a divided American heartland. The play makes its Houston debut with 4th Wall's production. It opens September 20.

A.D. Players
The Galleria-area company launches its 2024-2025 season in August with Esther: The Heart of A Queen, starring Dancing With the Stars' Sharna Burgess. This new production is making a pre-Broadway tryout, and incorporates multiple dance forms to tell the story of a heroic woman's faith and strength. Esther opens August 30.

For the holidays, the company offers A Texas Carol Part Deux, a sequel to the audience favorite A Texas Carol. The Dinkel family is back at Mee-Maw's, with more holiday hilarity. The season also includes The Foreigner, How to Die: The Life of Dietrich Bohnoeffer, and The Wizard of Oz musical.

Classical Theatre Company
Two shows make up the company's 2024-2025 season, both on stage at the DeLuxe Theater in Fifth Ward. Bram Stoker's Dracula, directed by Blake Weir, opens the season in October. The performance commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first authorized adaptation of the famous vampire novel. Classical's artistic director John Johnson helms the company's second show, Chekov's The Three Sisters, in April 2025. It's the story of the three Prozorov sisters , who live in exile a thousand miles away from Moscow, finding ways to survive on the eve of the social and political upheaval that will change Russia forever.

DaCamera
Beloved as a presenter and incubator of chamber music and jazz, the organization's 2024-2025 season is highlighted by a world premiere and the first Houston appearance by British composer and pianist Thomas Adès.

The season opens September 26 with a performance by the Takács Quartet, entering their 50th anniversary season. October arrives with audience favorite Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and concludes with the DaCamera debut of the Chiaroscuro Quartet.

2025 begins with another Houston debut: pianist Alexandre Kantorow in an evening of works by and inspired by Liszt. In February, composer Thomas Adès and an ensemble of champions of his music explore his works for solo piano and chamber ensemble, along with two of his musical touchstones, Schubert and Janáček. Then, countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and pianist John Churchwell include works by recently rediscovered Black composer Florence Price in their concert. Later, in April, New York Philharmonic String Quartet will perform Price’s String Quartet No. 1 in G Major.

On Valentine's Day, flutist Emi Ferguson and baroque band Ruckus are joined by visionary jazz saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins Quartet for the world premiere of Roscoe Mitchell’s "Metropolis Trilogy," produced by NYC's Metropolis Ensemble and co-commissioned by DaCamera. Other performances in the jazz series feature all of the following — Terri Lyne Carrington’s “New Standards” which shines a powerful light on music from great women composers; Grammy Award-nominated, dynamic alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin in her first DaCamera appearance; the Vijay Iyer Trio, one of the most pivotal jazz bands of the twenty-first century; and a performance from acclaimed contemporary jazz pianist Brad Mehldau and his new trio featuring both bassist Christian McBride and vocalist and songwriter Lizz Wright.

Dirt Dogs Theatre Co.
Three plays make up the company's ninth season, all of which are performed at the MATCH in Midtown. David Mamet's Race, the story of a white businessman accused of sexually assaulting a Black woman, opens the season on October 18. Blackbird, by David Harrower, explores what happens when two people reexamine an explosive relationship they had 15 years ago. The season closes with Bug, a cult classic by Tracy Letts, that tells the story of a love affair where circumstances escalate to paranoia, conspiracy theories, and twisted psychological motives.

The Garden Theatre
One of the city's newest companies opens its third full season in October with the Stephen Sondheim musical Assassins. The multi-Tony Award-winning show looks at the culture of celebrity and the violent means some will use to obtain it. Houston actress Cheny Moore, who many audiences will recall from Main Street Theater's Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley, stars in the one-woman show Who's Holiday in December, appearing as an all-grown-up Cindy Lou Who. Two musicals complete the season: Doubt, an adaption of the play by John Patrick Shanley about a progressive priest whose conduct comes under question by a nun, and While Childhood Slept, an original musical based on the true story of the boys of Home Number One in the Nazi concentration camp Terezin.

Houston Chamber Choir
The Grammy Award-winning ensemble celebrates its 30th anniversary with eight concerts. The season launches September 21 with "The Son of Man," a world-premiere by English composer Patrick Hawes. Written for choir, soloists and orchestra, and based on iconic texts from the Old and New Testaments, it's reminiscent of Handel's Messiah and has the makings of being a favorite.

“I Just Want to Celebrate! Songs from the ‘70s” is a free concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre with the music of ABBA, the Jackson 5, Carly Simon and more. “This Sky," in November, is an evening of songs that consider the heavens, while “Glory in the Highest: Christmas at the Villa” brings together the choir, the Paragon Brass, and the Treble Choir of Houston for traditional holiday favorites. The season also incudes the 25th Annual “Hear the Future” Invitational Choral Festival, “Love Songs and Sonnets," and “From Darkness to Light." “Gather ‘Round," the season finale, honors Robert Simpson as he concludes his 30-year tenure as founder and artistic director.

Main Street Theater
Celebrating 49 years, the Rice Village company has a five-show 2024-2025 season, including two world premieres and a regional premiere. The season begins October 12 with the world premiere of Israeli playwright Noga Flaishon's Memoriam. Set in the future, it's about a company, Memoriam, Inc., that buys and sells memories. The season continues with the world premiere of Seven Assassins Walk Into a Bar by Houston actor and playwright Dain Geist. It's a dark comedy about six assassins who gather in a bar for the wake of another assassin.

The company offers the regional premiere of Kim's Convenience next May, the story of a Korean immigrant convenience store owner who must decide whether to sell to developers or convince his daughter to follow in his footsteps. The Year of Magical Thinking and The 39 Steps round out the season.

The Rec Room
Two shows remain in the company's 2024 season, which wraps up in December. Up first is Spring Awakening, opening September 7. The rock musical is the coming-of-age story of German teenagers rebelling against what they see as a repressive society, while trying to figure out who they are sexually and emotionally. The season closes with Winter Solstice, a comedy that shines a light on both liberalism and fascism, set on Christmas Eve and centering around family dynamics. The show runs November 23 through December 14.

ROCO
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, ROCO has titled its 2024-2025 season This is ROCO. Look for 11 world premiere commissions, co-commissions, premieres, and re-scores as the 40-piece professional chamber orchestra continues its mission to present innovative concerts, multidisciplinary collaborations, and engaging community-centric initiatives. Opening the season is composer-In-residence Viet Cuong's latest creation, “Constellations.” This innovative piece is a visual and auditory experience, with each movement featuring musicians positioned to mirror the stars of various constellations.

Additional commissioned world premieres include “St. John the Revelator” by Houston composer Mark Buller, an homage to ROCO's original concert home, the Church of St. John the Divine; a world premiere by Juan Pablo Contreras created specifically for the Day of the Dead; and a compelling composition titled “No Grit, No Pearl” by Jonathan Leshnoff. The season concludes with the epic “Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky, rescored by Marlijn Helder.

Courtesy of Natasha Nivan Productions

Blake Weir directs Classical Theatre Company's production of Dracula this season.

performing-arts

your attention please

Houston Grand Opera names Rice alum James Gaffigan its next music director

Photo by Claire McAdams

Houston Grand Opera names James Gaffigan as next Music Director

Opera lovers in the audience for the Houston Grand Opera’s magnificent season opening production of Porgy and Bess didn’t know it, but they were hearing HGO’s future. James Gaffigan, the acclaimed conductor of the performance will no longer be called an honored guest to the company and our city; instead, he’ll make the Wortham Center his new home.

HGO announced on Thursday, November 6, that Gaffigan will serve as the fifth music director in its 70-year history, leading the company alongside general director and CEO Khori Dastoor. He replaces Patrick Summers, who announced last year that he would step down as artistic and music director at the end of the 2025-26 season.

When Gaffigan begins his term as music director designate for the 2026-27 season and then assumes the full role of music director in the 2027-28 season, he won’t find Houston an unfamiliar landscape. Though originally from New York, Gaffigan once lived here while earning his master’s degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.

After his time at Rice, he quickly rose to international superstardom in both symphonic and operatic circles. He has conducted some of the greatest orchestras around the country, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and many others. In Europe he has taken the podium at the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin, and more.

In 2011, he made both his HGO and American operatic debut with the company’s production of The Marriage of Figaro. He has also become a very welcome guest conductor for national and international opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Opéra National de Paris, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and more.

For the past several years, he has made a home in Europe serving as the general music director of Komische Oper Berlin, and he recently completed his fourth and final season as music director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, Spain.

Even with such a strong global presence, this Rice Owl continues to migrate back to Houston, guest conducting the Houston Symphony several times. Last year, he lead the first-ever performance by the HGO Orchestra at the annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers Concert of Arias.

Gaffigan’s ties to Houston are so strong that back in 2011, CultureMap’s own society king and classical music expert, Joel Luks, pondered if Gaffigan might be an excellent candidate for Houston Symphony director upon Han Graf ’s retirement. Luks, who attended the Shepherd School at the same time as Gaffigan, lauded the maestro’s sense of musical timing, charisma, and spirit.

$\u200bHouston Grand Opera names James Gaffigan as next Music Director$

Photo by Claire McAdams

Houston Grand Opera has named James Gaffigan as its next Music Director.

“He seems to understand music-making in a macro level, presenting a cohesive interpretation, while allowing musicians freedom of expression,” described Luks, also noting Gaffigan’s ability to connect with musicians and audiences, alike.

It turns out Luks’s prediction for a musical directorship for Gaffigan was only off by 14 years and about a theater district block, the distance from Jones Hall to the Wortham Center.

“I always knew that the first post I would take in the United States as music director had to be the perfect fit,” Gaffigan said in a statement. “All the boxes needed to be ticked. As I considered which institution, which city, and which community aligned with my dreams and goals for an American institution, I found HGO to be my ideal partner. In my opinion, HGO is the most exciting opera company in the United States. It is rare to find such a healthy institution, with tremendous potential, and a solid foundation on which to build.”

Gaffigan went on to reminisce that he has admired HGO since his early twenties.

“When walking into the building, I get a sense of community and excitement for our art form and the importance it has in our lives. I feel the same from the people in the greater Houston area. Houstonians want great art. Under Khori Dastoor’s leadership, the company has flourished, and it has become clear to me that the sky is the limit. I can’t wait to return to this city and start our thrilling new chapter together.”

Dastoor sings similar praises for Gaffigan.

“To welcome James Gaffigan back to Houston, and to HGO, as our new music director represents the fulfillment of an ambitious dream,” stated Dastoor. “This fall, Houston audiences have had the incredible opportunity to witness his passion, electric energy, and mind-blowing artistry at the podium. I am overjoyed that today’s leading American conductor — who embodies a new generation of music-making at the highest level — has chosen to invest fully in this company. James was steeped in the art and culture of Houston on his way to finding phenomenal international success. His return is both a testament to our city and a reflection of HGO’s ascendance as a force in the global opera industry.”

For those wanting to get a taste of that passion and energy Gaffigan will bring to his role as Houston Grand Opera music director, he conducts Porgy and Bess November 7 and 9.

performing-arts houston grand opera james gaffigan