One of Houston's most-beloved arts organizations kicks off its 2024 season this Friday, March 29. For more than 100 years, Miller Outdoor Theatrehas offered an array of performing arts programming that's completely free. Generations of Houstonians can fondly recall picnicking on the hill above the theater in Hermann Park before taking in a performance when the sun goes down.
“We look forward to welcoming audiences back on the hill as we kick off the 2024 season,” said managing director
Claudia de Vasco in a statement. “Miller Outdoor Theatre has a storied history of offering a diverse range of exceptional arts programming, and I’m thrilled to join the tradition of bringing high-caliber performances to Houstonians for free as we look toward the next 100 years.”
This year's roster of shows brings ensembles from around the city and beyond to create a season of more than two dozen shows. Here are some of the highlights.
Rondstadt Revue featuring Gesenia, officially opens the MOT season on March 29. The show pays homage to the legendary singer Linda Rondstadt with the kind of seamless blend of English and Spanish hits that span Rondstadt's illustrious career.
On April 5, Open Dance Project brings its aerial skills and contemporary choreography to Alice. Reprising their performance that lit up the MATCH this season, the show is the timeless story of a girl who tumbles down the rabbit hole and finds herself in Wonderland, encountering a cast of unforgettable characters and navigating bizarre power dynamics.
Moksh Community Arts, the Missouri City-based arts collective that showcases dance as both a cultural force and unifying art form, presents Houston's Got Bollywood - Once Upon a Time to Happily Ever After on April 13. An explosion of color and sound that showcases a variety of Bollywood beats, it shines a spotlight on the diversity of cultures that call Houston home.
The theme of cultural diversity is echoed in April 19's performance of Chinese Folktales: Wit and Wisdom of the Ancestors produced by Dance of Asian America and Express Children’s Theatre, telling the story how those who populated our past can help us understand our present.
On May 3, Wells Fargo Presents Cinco de Mayo At Miller Featuring Ballet Folklorico, bringing a performance that incorporates ballet, Mariachi music, and a celebration of Mexico. The Houston Ballet comes back to the MOT stage May 10 and 11 for A Night of Celebration, featuring a mixed repertory that showcases the artistry of H-Town's home ballet troupe. The performance is at 8 pm. Houston Grand Opera also comes back to MOT, bringing Puccini's timeless Madame Butterfly to Hermann Park May 17 and 18 at 8 pm.
June opens with a fan favorite: The 35th Annual Accordion Kings and Queens, presented by Texas Folklife. This energetic concert is slated for June 1 at 7 pm.. On June 22, Classic Albums Live presents Aretha Franklin – Aretha’s Gold at 8:30pm. The ever-popular Star Spangled Salute Presented by Truist and produced by Houston Symphony lights up the stage on July 4.The orchestra plays a selection of patriotic melodies, followed by a fireworks show courtesy of Miller Theatre Advisory Board.
A MOT tradition returns in August .The Houston Shakespeare Festival offers A Midsummer Night's Dream in repertory with Romeo and Juliet August 1 through 10. The festival is produced by the University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance and The Kathrine G. McGovern College of The Arts.
Seating at Miller is always free. For more season details and to learn more about how to attend the performances, visit the MOT website.
The rest of the season's performances will be announced at a later date.
Photo by Lynn Lane
Alice tumbles down the rabbit hole into Wonderland in Open Dance Project's production of Alice, at Miller Outdoor Theatre this season.
