look at the stars...

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, The Princess Bride's hunky hero, Isaac Mizrahi, and more headline Performing Arts Houston's new season

With headliners like the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, John Waters, David Sedaris, plus new works by Houston artists, Performing Arts Houston's 2023-2024 season is set to offer a deep bench of styles and troupes from around the globe.

Two companies appearing on the schedule, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and Kronos Quartet, are celebrating their 50th anniversaries; another, Step Afrika, is making its debut on the Performing Arts Houston stage.

“The '23-'24 season is about celebrating milestones and sharing moments that inspire joy,” said Performing Arts Houston president and CEO Meg Booth in a release announcing the lineup. “We are presenting a wide range of artistic programming with a common thread of artists who embrace life with curiosity, humor, and creativity.”

Opening the season on September 16 is MOMIX, bringing with it choreography blended with visual illusions and acrobatics. The troupe puts its spin on the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. For an extra $100, audience members can attend a special opening night party that benefits Performing Arts Houston's education and community engagement programs. The performance takes place at the Cullen Theater in the Wortham Theater Center.

The following week, on September 23, An Evening with Isaac Mizrahi, is part cabaret, part exploration of the life of the iconic fashion designer and media icon. He'll be on the Zilkha Hall stage of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts with a jazz ensemble, offering his comedic musings on his experiences.

On October 13, legendary director, author, and artist John Waters brings his End of the World vaudevillian monologue to Houston, appearing at the Cullen Theater. That's followed on October 19 by Latin Grammy Award-winner Lila Downs and her new show, Dia de Los Muertos, featuring folklorico dancing and a mariachi band.

Families will get a kick out of Madagascar: The Musical, in town October 20 through 21. Based on the DreamWorks movie, it's the story of some adventurous animals on an epic journey. Hot on their heels on October 22 is Howie Mandel, the irrepressible comic and America's Got Talent judge, who is making his Performing Arts Houston debut. Both Madagascar and Mandel perform at Jones Hall.

Rounding out October is another debut act, Step Afrika!. The dance group specializing in stepping celebrates its 30th anniversary and was founded by Houstonian C. Brian Williams. Their performance, Drumfolk, is inspired by the Stono Rebellion of 1739.

One of the most celebrated choral groups in the world opens the month of November. The Vienna Boys Choir appears in concert at the Cullen Theater on November 1, marking their centennial of touring the globe, sharing their signature sound.

Performing Arts Houston audience favorite and writer David Sedaris is back at Jones Hall for the 12th time on November 3, in an event that includes his keen observations, laughs, and a book signing.

On into 2024, fans can expect programming dedicated to new local works. On January 19 and 20, New/Now: The Houston Artist Commissioning Project marks its third year of world premieres by Houstonians. The performance, at the Cullen Theater, will be pay-what-you-can on a sliding scale from free to $100.

The all-male ballet troupe, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo come to Jones Hall on January 23 as part of their 50th Anniversary Tour. They've been a mainstay on the Performing Arts Houston stage since 1978. Time for Three arrive on February 9. The classical crossover artists make their Houston debut, sharing with audiences their innovative blending of conservatory training and pop vocals.

On February 23, Manual Cinema’s Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster brings the beloved books of Mo Willems to life with props, puppets, and live music, creating a film about friendship and acceptance in real time.

March 7 through 9 brings the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater back to Houston. One of the most renowned dance companies in the world, known for high energy and innovative choreography, the troupe performs at Jones Hall and will perform a series of works, including its signature Revelations.

Pianist Bruce Liu performs a concert of works by Ramaeu, Ravel, Chopin, and Liszt at the Cullen Theater on April 2. The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes arrives at Jones Hall on April 12. The actor will host a screening of the film, followed by a Q&A.

Grammy Award-winning group Kronos Quartet performs A Thousand Thoughts on April 13 at Jones Hall. The evening is a live documentary chronicling the quartet’s groundbreaking, continent-spanning, multi-decade career. The performance features music and messages from Kronos’ longtime collaborators, including Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Terry Riley, Tanya Tagaq, and Steve Reich.

The internationally acclaimed Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain closes the season on April 30 at the Cullen Theater. Expect their signature British humor and catalogue of rock, pop, jazz, and classical ukulele arrangements. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own ukulele and play along during a special portion of the performance.

Performance tickets are already on sale to members,, and single tickets go on sale to the public beginning later this summer and on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Memberships start at $25, and members enjoying a range of benefits like priority access, discounts, donor benefits, and more. Find more information here.

Photo by Dario Calmese

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater leaps into town.

welcome to houston

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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