Tonight, Houston will host the U.S. debut of the first Western-style interpretation of the classic Chinese opera, Farewell My Concubine. With performances only today and tomorrow at the Wortham, this is a rare opportunity. The original Chinese opera will be performed by a Chinese cast and sung in Mandarin. Chinese opera has come to the United States so very infrequently that if you have any interest in Chinese music, art, opera or culture, you should get over to the Wortham.
Results tagged “thewortham”
::Ken Burns' The War at the Wortham Center:: How did you spend your Veteran's Day? Did you fly a flag? Did you hug a Vet? No? Well, here's your last chance at redemption. If you missed Ken Burns' World War II Series, The War, on PBS a few months back, you can catch it again tonight at the Wortham Center, as Burns is on hand to screen and discuss the series. Burns' works are...
Remember when you were a little bitty Houstonist and someone would read to you at night and you could just lose yourself in the story, abandoning all other thoughts of the day? Well you can still do it now, you know. In fact, you might be all the more eager to shed your quotidian annoyances now that you're grown. Here are a few places to hear some stellar writers read from their work: Friday...
Gloria Steinem presents "The Progression Of Feminism: Where Are We Going?" Tonight at Wortham Center, the Progressive Forum Houston presents pioneer of the modern feminsit movement, Gloria Steinem, in a program that urges audiences to reconstruct their understanding of gender roles to foster a national spirit of cooperation for advancing of the rights of all citizens, especially our children. Gloria Steinem's philosophy and fight for equal rights for women transformed America, creating a social acceptance...
Did you notice our lazy capitalization in the title? Well, that's exaclty how we're feeling today. A lazy weekend in the blazing sun out by the pool is just what we've been waiting for all summer. So here it is, make the most of it! For the record, FOX, yes we do think we can dance. And very well, might we add. With the recent success of the reality contest show, So You Think...
Today’s Photo of the Day comes from flickr user and Houstonist photo contributor Polar Bear in a Snowstorm. Check out the smoothness of the water in this image of the Gus S. Wortham Memorial Fountain. Do you know who Mr. Wortham was and how important he was to our fair city? Honestly, we didn't until we did a little searching. According to the New York Times, Mr. Wortham was "a cattle baron and an...
Today’s Photo of the Day comes from flickr user and Houstonist photo contributor Erci who gives us this performers perspective of the Wortham Center. It's not very often that anyone, much less Houstonist, gets this magnificent view of the theater. The Wortham Center is located downtown in the Theater District and hosts performances by such fine institutions as, The Houston Ballet and The Houston Grand Opera. If you enjoy taking pictures of Houston, consider...
Senior Time magazine columnist Joe Klein will speak tonight at the Wortham Center on Islam, Iraq, and the War on Terror. Klein is "one of America’s most astute observers of politics and international affairs" and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is the author of a number of books, including his most recent Politics Lost: How American Politics Was Trivialized By People Who Think You’re Stupid, a tirade against political consultants in...
Ah, December, the lights, the sparklies, the much-overplayed muzak carols, the incessant pressure to decorate and provide gifts to friends and family, the parties and food and drink. Houstonist actually loves the holidays - really (yes, that's Freddie and Flaco your hear, performing Frosty the Snowman, when we drive past you). It's time for the 6th Annual Buffalo Bayou ArtPark ("BBAP") XMAS Tree Show!! The tree projects, created by eight artists and one artist collective have been installed around Fish Plaza at the Wortham Theater Center, located at 501 Texas Avenue.
The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston is one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the country. They're the recipient of numerous awards, as every summer a band of dedicated amateurs and professionals come together to perform the 19th century comic operas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, which have remained popular throughout the years. You're sure to hear tune you recognize at this year's production, a double bill featuring the one-act operetta Trial By Jury as well as what is perhaps the team's most famous collaboration, H.M.S. Pinafore. The first is a parody of the British legal system centering around a ludicrous divorce case. The second was Gilbert and Sullivan's first hit, about a sailor who falls in love with the admiral's daughter, even though she's supposed to marry the First Lord of the Admiralty. Highjinks ensue when an unexpected secret about the sailor's past comes to light. The shows are unlike grand opera in that they're likely to be enjoyed by the whole family: anyone who is old enough to read surtitles (the transcription of what the singers are saying) will enjoy the production, which unlike many operas is in English. Gilbert and Sullivan is a great introduction to opera--even your NASCAR-loving relatives might find themselves having just a little bit of fun.

Missed Connections: Gefilte Fish...and "Chain Connections"