Christopher Gray News

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.'

As a ballet, THE MERRY WIDOW is an adaptation of Franz Lehar's popular romantic operetta Die Lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow), which premiered in 1905. In the process of adapting the score for ballet, John Lanchbery and Alan Abott retained the style of Franz Lehar's orchestrations and included several of the well-known tunes from the operetta. Their score premiered in 1975 when The Australian Ballet, under the Musical Direction of John Lanchbery, produced the World Premiere production with choreography by Ronald Hynd and Scenario and Staging by Sir Robert Helpmann. This grandiose and radiant ballet of THE MERRY WIDOW had its Houston Ballet Premiere on September 17, 1995 in the Brown Theater. The Houston Ballet also performed it in 1999 and 2007. Now, in 2013, the lavish production is serving as Mireille Hassenboehler's gorgeous swan song and letter of admiration to the audiences of the Houston Ballet.

Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch announced plans today for the company's 2013-2014 season, including eight promotions and additions of several new dancers. Houston Ballet's roster now stands at 53 dancers.

Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch announced plans today for the company's 2013-2014 season, including eight promotions and additions of several new dancers. Houston Ballet's roster now stands at 53 dancers.

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.

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.

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.

The Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards will be broadcast from Las Vegas for the first time on June 27th, 2010 over the CBS Television Network. 'It is with great pleasure that the Daytime Emmy Awards returns to the CBS Network,' said Herb Granath, Chairman, NATAS. 'The Daytime Emmy Awards are one of the cornerstones of our business and this year's Las Vegas-based broadcast promises to be even more exciting.'

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the nominees for the 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards. Many of the major categories were announced this morning on 'CBS News' 'The Early Show,' by Bree Williamson (Jessica Brennan on 'One Life to Live,' ABC) and Travis Stork ('The Doctors,' Syndicated) including the naming of the Lifetime Achievement honoree, Agnes Nixon, the grand dame of Daytime serial drama.

The White Plains Performing Arts Center presented the theatre's 2009 Annual Gala, One Enchanted Evening, on Monday, June 1, 2009, at the theatre in White Plains.

Jack W. Batman, Executive Producer of the White Plains Performing Arts Center, has announced the theatre's 2009 Annual Gala, One Enchanted Evening, to be held Monday, June 1, 2009, beginning at 6:00 PM at the theatre in White Plains.

The Tony Award-winning musical Oliver! is playing at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, Westchester's professional regional theatre located in White Plains, NY. The show runs November 20 - December 14, 2008 as the opening production of the theatre's Bank of America Broadway Classics series.

The full cast has been announced for a new production of the Tony Award-winning musical Oliver! at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, Westchester's professional regional theatre located in White Plains, NY. The show will play November 20 ? December 14, 2008 as the opening production of the theatre's Bank of America Broadway Classics series.

The full cast has been announced for a new production of the Tony Award-winning musical Oliver! at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, Westchester's professional regional theatre located in White Plains, NY. The show will play November 20 - December 14, 2008 as the opening production of the theatre's Bank of America Broadway Classics series.