Houston Ballet Presents “In The Night: A Captivating Triple Bill”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ellen Neiers, PR Manager
eneiers@houstonballet.org | press@houstonballet.org
C: (936) 230-9190

HOUSTON BALLET PRESENTS In The Night: A Captivating Triple Bill
February 27 – March 9, 2025
Stories by Stanton Welch AM, Jerome Robbins, & Lila York

HOUSTON, TX – February 3, 2025 – Houston Ballet is proud to present In the Night, a mesmerizing triple bill that brings together three compelling ballets blending classical elegance and contemporary vitality from February 27 through March 9, 2025. The program includes Stanton Welch’s striking Maninyas, Jerome Robbins’s evocative In the Night, and Lila York’s high-energy Celts. With breathtaking choreography and rich musical scores, this production explores the intricacies of emotional depth, human connection, and cultural celebration.

Maninyas
Choreographer: Stanton Welch AM | Music: Ross Edwards

Originally commissioned by San Francisco Ballet, Maninyas is an abstract and radiant exploration of vulnerability and self-revelation within relationships. Set to Ross Edwards’ Maninyas Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, the piece is marked by its lush duets and dynamic movement through shimmering silks.

“The piece is a process of unveiling,” explains Stanton Welch AM, Artistic Director at Houston Ballet. “It examines how, in relationships, you gradually un-layer yourself, and how daunting it is to reveal yourself to another.” Having debuted in 1996 and premiering at Houston Ballet in 2005, Maninyas has become a signature work celebrated for its emotive choreography and exquisite artistry.

In the Night
Choreographer: Jerome Robbins | Music: Frédéric Chopin

A masterpiece of romantic nuance, In the Night features three couples whose stories unfold against the backdrop of Chopin’s haunting nocturnes. Premiering in 1970 with New York City Ballet, Jerome Robbins’s one-act ballet masterfully portrays the range of emotions in love—from serenity to intensity and turmoil.

“Jerome Robbins choreographed several of his most beloved works to Chopin’s nocturnes,” said Julie Kent, Artistic Director at Houston Ballet. “The music and dance offer a nuanced and poetic form of storytelling that speak to artists and audiences alike.” This poignant work returns to Houston Ballet’s stage, embodying Robbins’s lasting legacy as a pioneering force in dance.

Celts
Choreographer: Lila York | Music: The Chieftains, Mason Daring, William J. Ruyle, Bill Whelan, and Celtic Thunder

Lila York’s Celts is a vibrant fusion of Irish folk dance and ballet, an exuberant homage to Irish heritage. Originally premiering with Boston Ballet in 1996, the piece combines traditional Celtic music with dynamic choreography, celebrating the cultural roots that inspired its creation. With its lively spirit and intricate movements, Celts promises to captivate audiences with its bold energy and heartfelt celebration of identity.

It features lively and evocative music by The Chieftains, the renowned Irish folk band celebrated for their signature sound built around uilleann pipes. Audiences can look forward to traditional favorites from albums like Treasure Island, The Chieftains: Reel Music, and The Long Black Veil, delivering the spirited essence of Ireland in every note.

Performance Details:
Houston Ballet invites you to experience the dynamic range and heartfelt storytelling of In the Night, a triple bill. Performance details are as follows:

Schedule:
7:30 PM on February 27 and March 1 & 7-8, 2025
2:00 PM on March 2 & 9, 2025
Venue:
Wortham Theater Center
501 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002
Tickets:
Visit www.houstonballet.org

In the Night offers a breathtaking journey through diverse themes and styles, from the deeply personal to the universally resonant. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience three unique works that exemplify the beauty and power of ballet.

ABOUT HOUSTON BALLET
With over 50 years of rich history, Houston Ballet has evolved into a company with a budget of $37.6 million and an endowment of $97.5 million (as of June 2023), making it the country’s fourth-largest ballet company. Its $46.6 million state-of-the-art performance space, the Houston Ballet Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance opened in April 2011. In addition, Houston Ballet’s reach is global, touring theaters in Dubai, London, Paris, Moscow, Spain, Montréal, Ottawa, Melbourne, New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Tokyo and more.

Australian choreographer Stanton Welch AM has served as Artistic Director of Houston Ballet since 2003. Welch has choreographed 43 new works for Houston Ballet during his tenure while ensuring the growth of the Company’s repertoire by presenting works from George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier, and Jerome Robbins. Welch continues the legacy of Houston Ballet being a choreographic Eden by commissioning over 30 works from world-renowned choreographers including Aszure Barton, Trey McIntyre, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Justin Peck. Julie Kent joined Welch as Artistic Director in 2023, after serving as Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet from 2016 – 2023 and following a storied career as a Principal ballerina of American Ballet Theatre – the longest-tenured dancer in ABT’s 85-year history. Executive Director James Nelson serves as the administrative leader of the organization, a position he assumed in February 2012 after serving as the Company’s General Manager for more than a decade.

Beyond its stage presence, Houston Ballet maintains a strong foothold in continuing to foster a love for dance in future generations. Its Education and Community Engagement program reaches more than 85,000 individuals in the Houston area annually. Houston Ballet Academy trains more than 1,000 students every year, producing more than 60 percent of the extraordinary artists that comprise Houston Ballet’s current Company. For more information on Houston Ballet, visit houstonballet.org