Houston Ballet former principals Jared Matthews as Prince Florimund and Sara Webb as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty.
The Sleeping Beauty comes to the Wortham stage Feb. 27 through March 8 for the 50th anniversary season of Houston Ballet. With sets and costumes by the late, legendary Desmond Heeley, the ballet will see Houston’s premier dancers jeté, dégagé and pirouette to the choreography of Ben Stevenson, who held the Houston Ballet artistic director post from 1976 to 2003. “Stevenson’sThe Sleeping Beauty mixes drama and humor with well-drawn characters, exemplifying a staple of his work and his British influence,” says Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch. “This was his most famous ballet and a wonderful way to represent his legacy and capture his style in our golden anniversary season.” For a touch of behind-the-scene glamour, the VIP Experience (Feb. 29, 1:30PM, $70 add-on) includes exclusive receptions preperformance and during intermission, as well as meet-and-greets with the dancers after the curtains are drawn. Tickets $25-$195, 501 Texas Ave.