Karina Gonzalez News

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.

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.'

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.

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.

As the Black Friday sales died down, the Houston Ballet's live orchestra began to stir. With a quick hush, the murmuring audience gave into their anticipation of dancing sugar plum fairies. As the lights, hung with care, illuminated the dexterous dancers, Houston audiences responded with glee. After all, they had bought almost every ticket to see this annual, festive holiday jubilee. There is no doubt, Ben Stevenson's highly lauded and much beloved production of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER is still guaranteed to dazzle and enthrall audiences young and old.

Ballet Next, the independent ballet company founded by acclaimed dancers Michele Wiles and Charles Askegard, will present its first week-long season at The Joyce Theater from tonight, October 23-28, 2012.

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.

Ballet Next, the independent ballet company founded by acclaimed dancers Michele Wiles and Charles Askegard, will present its first week-long season at The Joyce Theater from October 23-28, 2012. Since debuting for a one-night only, sold out performance at The Joyce in 2011, Ballet Next has forged an exciting creative laboratory, bringing together world-class choreographers, dancers and musicians to develop contemporary work with the highest level of classical technique as its foundation. The highly-anticipated season includes two programs with five world premieres from Mauro Bigonzetti, Brian Reeder, Margo Sappington, Alison Cooke Beatty, and Charles Askegard, and features dancers from New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, as well as young talents who comprise the Ballet Next group of Soloists. The Ballet Next Ensemble will accompany the dancers with live music led by noted Israeli cellist Elad Kabilio.

La Que Se Viene presenta 'De Mochila,' ciclo lanzamiento de su primer DVD con artistas invitados, sábados 9, 16, 23 y 30 de Junio, 21:30 hs. Teatro El Colonial, Av. Paseo Colón 413 (Esq. Belgrano).

Porque soy psicóloga de Mariano Moro, nominada al premio estrella de mar 2009 como 'Mejor Unipersonal Humorístico,' domingos 18:30 hs, Teatro Taller del Angel, Mario Bravo 1239.

Porque soy psicóloga de Mariano Moro, nominada al premio estrella de mar 2009 como 'Mejor Unipersonal Humorístico,' domingos 18:30 hs, Teatro Taller del Angel, Mario Bravo 1239.

La Que Se Viene presenta 'De Mochila,' ciclo lanzamiento de su primer DVD con artistas invitados, sábados 9, 16, 23 y 30 de Junio, 21:30 hs. Teatro El Colonial, Av. Paseo Colón 413 (Esq. Belgrano).

La Que Se Viene presenta 'De Mochila,' ciclo lanzamiento de su primer DVD con artistas invitados, sábados 9, 16, 23 y 30 de Junio, 21:30 hs. Teatro El Colonial, Av. Paseo Colón 413 (Esq. Belgrano).