Sara Webb News

Tonight, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 at 1:30 p.m., Houston Ballet II and the entire school will present its 2014 Spring Showcase in the Cullen Theater at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.

On Friday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 at 1:30 p.m., Houston Ballet II and the entire school will present its 2014 Spring Showcase in the Cullen Theater at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets start at $28 and may be purchased by calling 713 227 ARTS (713 227 2787) or online at www.houstonballet.org. All proceeds raised by the performances will benefit Houston Ballet Academy.

In celebration of Stanton Welch's tenth anniversary as Artistic Director at Houston Ballet, the company is presenting a mixed repertory program that showcases his work as a choreographer. Across the three acts, audiences are treated to stunningly beautiful stage pictures, fascinating movement, and breathtaking feats of agility and poise. With their THE YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA program, Houston Ballet splendidly illustrates why Houston is truly to lucky to have Stanton Welch in our city.

As Houston Ballet was putting the finishing touches on their production of David Bintley's mesmerizing ALADDIN, I got the opportunity to talk with Houston Ballet Principal Sara Webb. On the night before the production opened at The Wortham Theater Center, we discussed the U.S. Premiere of the ballet and her career.

Last night, Houston Ballet presented the American Premiere performance of David Bintley's spellbinding ALADDIN. The ballet, commissioned by National Ballet of Japan, had its World Premiere on November 15, 2008. For this opulent and mesmerizing theatrical treat, choreographer David Bintley pulls his inspiration from the original story; however, his ballet stills delivers everything fans of the 1992 Disney film expect from the story.

Today, Monday, Dec. 9th, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., costumed dancers from Houston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker make a special visit to Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Centers.

Fresh from its tours to New York City in October and Paris in November, Houston Ballet presents its tenth annual Jubilee of Dance, a special one-night only performance today, December 6, 2013 at 7:30 pm.

Today, Dec. 2nd and Monday, Dec. 9th, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., costumed dancers from Houston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker make a special visit to Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Centers.

On Monday, Dec. 2nd and 9th, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., costumed dancers from Houston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker will make a special visit to Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Centers.

Houston, TX - On Monday, Dec. 2nd and 9th, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., costumed dancers from Houston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker will make a special visit to Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Centers. This holiday season Houston Ballet will present 34 performances of The Nutcracker at the Wortham Theater Center November 29 - December 29, and the dancers want to bring the magic of the performance to children who may not have the opportunity to see the production. On December 2, 2013, Houston Ballet principal Sara Webb, principal Ian Casady, demi soloist Jim Nowakowski, and corps de ballet dancers Aria Alekzander, Aaron Sharratt, and Natalie Varnum will participate in this event. On December 9, 2013, corps de ballet dancers Katelyn May, Jacquelyn Long, Alyssa Springer, and apprentice Silken Kelly will visit Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Centers.

Fresh from its tours to New York City in October and Paris in November, Houston Ballet presents its tenth annual Jubilee of Dance, a special one-night only performance on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 7:30 pm.

The Joyce Theater Foundation is proud to welcome back onto its stage Houston Ballet, following a successful debut two years ago, from October 22 - 27. This engagement will feature a program designed to showcase the company's contemporary repertoire with works by Stanton Welch (the company's acclaimed artistic director), Mark Morris, Ben Stevenson and Hans van Manen. Tickets range in price from $10-$59 ($26 - $44 for Joyce Members) and are available through JoyceCharge at www.Joyce.org or by calling 212-242-0800. Please note: ticket price is subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, in Chelsea.

The Houston Ballet is known for its elaborate and beautiful productions. Every ticket purchased guarantees a performance filled with masterful dancing, brilliant choreography, remarkable sets, and music. Houston Ballet's much anticipated production of PETER PAN is no exception and nothing short of fantastic. Although many of us are familiar with the tale and have possibly seen it on film or stage, Houston Ballet makes it their own with whimsical choreography by Trey McIntyre and a dance company that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats with every move. Set to the magical score by Sir Edward Elgar, arranged by Niel DePonte, PETER PAN draws the audience into the journey of Peter Pan and the Darling children as it creates a visual adventure that is ideal for both the young and the young at heart.

Houston Ballet is kicking off the summer with their resplendent production of JOURNEY WITH THE MASTERS. This amazing treat is made complete with thrilling dance compositions by three of the world's leading modern choreographers, George Balanchine, Ji?i Kylian, and Jerome Robbins. The three acts are vastly different from each other and superbly enchant audiences with their uniqueness.

There is no denying that the artistry of ballet revolves around creating mesmerizing visuals, whether it is lush lovely picturesque scenes or exhilarating 'stunt' work that appears to defy all the natural laws of gravity, human flexibility, and motion. In these regards, Houston Ballet's production of LA BAYADÈRE is a sumptuous feast of artistic ingenuity and elegance. However, the repetitious, staunch, and wholly austere European score by Ludwig Minkus as arranged by John Lanchbery and similarly repetitious and almost entirely classical ballet choreography by Stanton Welch, after Marius Petipa, left me wanting something different and something more. With all the references to Bollywood in the pre-production publicity, I expected to see and hear a lot more of the elements from my favorite cinematic genre than the production delivered.

From February 21-March 3, 2013, Houston Ballet presents Stanton Welch's La Bayadere ("The Temple Dancer"), a historic classic staged by Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch and set in royal India of the past. La Bayadere is a dramatic ballet of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance and justice, featuring spectacular scenery and costumes by the acclaimed English designer Peter Farmer. This lavish production recounts the story of Nikiya, a temple dancer, her lover Solor, and the vengeance that keeps them apart -- at least in this life. Houston Ballet will give seven performances of La Bayadere at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets may be purchased by calling 713 227 2787 or by visiting www.houstonballet.org.

The Houston Ballet organization is imbued with talent from top to bottom. Last year, they organized an event in which the dancers got to experiment and begin growing their own individual choreographic voices. Thursday, December 13, 2012 was their second event with this goal in mind. A small, invitation only audience was treated to an evening of fantastic talent on display in 14 world première ballets by names that are sure to leave a lasting impression on the world of dance.

Today, Dec. 3, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., costumed dancers from Houston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker will make a special visit to Texas Children's Cancer Center

On Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., costumed dancers from Houston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker will make a special visit to Texas Children's Cancer Center

Tonight, November 30, 2012, Houston Ballet presents its ninth annual Jubilee of Dance: A Tribute to Amy Fote, a special one-night only performance showcasing the talent and artistry of the company dancers in a program of high-energy excerpts from signature works and beloved classics. Houston Chronicle dance critic Molly Glentzer called the 2006 Jubilee of Dance "the event of the season," noting, "The audience gave it a rousing standing ovation." The Jubilee of Dance will be held at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.