Joseph Walsh 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.

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.

On Monday, February 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., costumed dancers from Houston Ballet's production of Aladdin will make a special visit to Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers. This month, Houston Ballet will present eight performances of Aladdin at the Wortham Theater Center February 20 - March 2, and the dancers want to bring the magic of the performance to children who may not have the opportunity to see the production. Houston Ballet principal Melody Mennite, principal Joseph Walsh, soloist Nao Kusuzaki, soloist Lauren Strongin, and corps de ballet dancers Katelyn May, Aria Alekzander, and Aaron Sharratt will participate in this event.

On Monday, February 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., costumed dancers from Houston Ballet's production ofAladdin will make a special visit to Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers. This month, Houston Ballet will present eight performances of Aladdin at the Wortham Theater Center February 20 – March 2, and the dancers want to bring the magic of the performance to children who may not have the opportunity to see the production. Houston Ballet principal Melody Mennite, principal Joseph Walsh, soloist Nao Kusuzaki, soloist Lauren Strongin, and corps de ballet dancers Katelyn May, Aria Alekzander, and Aaron Sharratt will participate in this event.

From today, February 20-March 2, 2014, Houston Ballet presents the North American Premiere of David Bintley's Aladdin, the first work by the celebratEd English choreographer to enter Houston Ballet's repertoire.

From February 20-March 2, 2014, Houston Ballet presents the North American Premiere of David Bintley's Aladdin, the first work by the celebrated English choreographer to enter Houston Ballet's repertoire.

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.

Since its Houston premiere in 1987, THE NUTCRACKER with choreography by Ben Stevenson has been one of Houston's favorite and most cherished ways to kick off the holiday season. Since it first opened 26 years ago, the gorgeous and spectacle filled holiday treat has been seen by over 1,000,000 people. The dazzling production always delights audiences and is, as the Houston Ballet puts it, 'the perfect way to introduce young children to the power and beauty of classical dance. Tchaikovsky's magical score, Desmond Heeley's fairy-tale scenery, and Ben Stevenson's vibrantly theatrical staging combine to create one of the most visually stunning productions of THE NUTCRACKER in the world today.'

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 Houston Ballet is notorious for providing audiences with top-notch productions and a supremely talented company. Launching into their 2013-2014 season, Houston Ballet opens with FOUR PREMIERES. Consisting of one American premiere and three world premieres, FOUR PREMIERES is a wonderful evening of dance, with works choreographed by Chrisopher Bruce, Melissa Hough, Garrett Smith, and James Kudelka.

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.

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.

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.

On Friday, 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.

The main purpose and goal of Houston Ballet's WOMEN@ART is to celebrate the ability of women to choreograph interesting, thought-provoking, and fully realized ballets. In 2004, Stanton Welch was met with fantastic success the first time he programmed three one-act ballets choreographed by women in his inaugural WOMEN@ART performance. The 2012 offering, complete with a World Premiere by Aszure Barton, will hopefully motivate and empower young girls and women interested in dance and choreography to follow their dreams while opening a dialogue about the value of female voices in the dance world.

The Houston Ballet is synonymous with fantastic and sumptuous performances. Each of their dancers, from Principals to Apprentices, is a supremely talented artist at the top of their class in professional skill. Currently, Houston Ballet is featuring their male dancers in CLEAR, which was created for American Ballet Theatre in New York City in 2001, and their ability to move audiences through gorgeous storytelling in MADAME BUTTERFLY, which has its world premiere on February 24, 1995 by The Australian Ballet and its Houston premiere on September 19, 2002. These pieces are distinctly different from each other; yet, Stanton Welch's choreography is sure to leave audiences breathless and spellbound in both productions.