Alley All New Turns Five!

Quixote Nuevo HSC HTC Alley 9-19 203

The Alley’s popular All New festival (Jan. 16-26) celebrates five years of delivering pioneering new material in the form of readings, workshops and world premieres — for free.


This year’s festivities take audience members on a trip back in history, with debuts like Katie Bender’s Survivors, an Alamo Play, which tells the story of women, children and enslaved people who survived the battle of the Alamo; and Theresa Rebeck’s latest show, Enlightened, directed by Brandon Weinbrenner, tells the tale of what happened when news of the Declaration of Independence reaches the Pennsylvania woods where fears of witchcraft have taken hold.

There will also be readings of new works like High School Play: A Nostalgia Fest, written by Texas native Vichet Chum and depicting a Plano high school’s theater troupe’s competition run, and an early-draft preview of Houstonian Arthur M. Jolly’s play about the 1926 disappearance of Agatha Christie.

As a bonus, this year’s festival includes a showing of Octavio Solis’Quixote Nuevo, a colorful reimagining of the classic Don Quixote featuring Tejano music and starring Sesame Street’s Emilio Delgado. There’s a chat with the set designer before the matinee performance this Sunday; with the director on Jan. 25; and with the entire cast on Jan. 28.

For more information and tickets, visit alleytheatre.org/allnew.

Dispatches
Ancient French Wellness Cures Reimagined at Houston’s Escape Spa: The Power of Vichy

Serial entrepreneur and spa visionary LeBrina Jackson

NESTLED IN THE heart of France, the town of Vichy holds a rich history in the world of wellness and hydrotherapy. Acquiring fame for their alkaline springs in the 17th century, the Romans were among the first to recognize the therapeutic benefits of the springs. They established a French spa known as “Vichy,” which still exists today and continues to attract spa-goers from around the world to experience the transformative effects of hydrotherapy.

Keep Reading Show less

Betty Hrncir, Sidney Faust, Julie Baker Finck

ACTUAL WINTER WEATHER was in the forecast the night of the Winter Ball, benefiting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and honoring the Women of Distinction, a festive and fitting detail that sparked a flurry of conversation at the Omni Hotel.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Concert of Arias finalists on the Wortham stage, including first place and audience choice winner Geonho Lee of South Korea, third from left. (Photo by Michael Bishop)

LONG ONE OF the HGO’s most exciting evenings on the calendar — Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers called it the best night of the year — the 37th Annual Concert of Arias and gala dinner afterward dazzled and inspired opera fans.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment