The Rite of Spring

Houston Ballet brings The Rite of Spring to the Brown Theater at Wortham Center for a run that opens Thursday, May 27, 2027. It's part of their 2026-2027 season, and they've scheduled six performances over two weekends: Thursday, May 27, at 7:30 PM; Saturday, May 29, at 7:30 PM; and Sunday, May 30, at 2:00 PM, then Friday, June 4, at 7:30 PM; Saturday, June 5, at 7:30 PM; and Sunday, June 6, at 2:00 PM.

If you're not familiar with the piece, The Rite of Spring is a 20th-century masterpiece that famously caused a riot at its premiere in Paris. It's built around Igor Stravinsky's revolutionary score, which broke the rules of rhythm and harmony in a way that changed the course of dance and music. It's widely considered a cornerstone of modern dance, and it's the kind of work that still feels challenging and fresh over a century later.

Houston Ballet, one of the country's premier companies, is staging it with their own choreography and interpretation of Stravinsky's score. They're fusing classical ballet technique with contemporary expression, so you'll see the company's technical precision working against a score that's meant to be raw and jarring. It's a good way to see how a company that's rooted in the classical tradition handles a work that was designed to push boundaries.

All six shows are at the Brown Theater at Wortham Center, 500 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002. The weekday and Saturday evening performances start at 7:30 PM, and the Sunday matinees are at 2:00 PM.