Top Houston Theater & Arts Performances in October 2021

Catch virtual and live performances all month long with our roundup of theater and performing arts productions happening online and in-person in October 2021.

Theater, opera and the performing arts are back in full swing this month, with so many of the city’s arts institutions back up and running with exciting productions that are not to be missed if you’ve been missing the stage.

Check out our highlights for the city’s performing arts events this month:

Top 12 Performing Arts Events in Houston: October 2021

• Houston Ballet presents Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance at Wortham Theater Center | Ongoing to Sunday, October 3 – Houston’s premier dance company is back on its home stage at the Wortham Center with an epic opening performance that features a collection of solos, ensemble pieces, and pas de deux designed to highlight the talents of the full Ballet company. Tickets start at $25. Times vary.
• Respect: A Musical Journey of Women at the Ensemble Theatre | Ongoing to Sunday, October 17 – Combining songs of the 1960s with personal stories about love, loss, relationships and more, this powerful celebration of women offers insight and an uplifting message. Tickets start at $41. Times vary.
• Stages presents Hook’s Tale at the Gordy | Friday, October 1 to Sunday, October 17 – This family friendly play upends the story you think you know about Peter Pan, telling the tale from Captain Hook’s vantage point—and he’s determined to set the record straight. Tickets start at $25. Times vary.
• Sweat at Alley Theatre | Friday, October 1 to Sunday, October 24 – An enduring friendship among factory workers is strained amid layoffs and picket lines, and three women find themselves pitted against each other as they struggle to meet the challenges. Tickets start at $41. Times vary.
• Darwin in Malibu at Main Street Theater | Saturday, October 2 to Sunday, October 24 – This comedy about God and science finds Charles Darwin chilling on a Malibu beach, more than a hundred years after his death. His resting in peace is disrupted by the arrival of his friend Thomas Huxley and the bishop of Oxford. Tickets start at $36. Thursdays to Saturdays 7:30pm; Sundays 3pm.
• TUTS presents Rock of Ages at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts | Tuesday, October 5 to Sunday, October 17 – This big-hearted musical featuring big power ballads from big-hair 1980s bands is the story of an aspiring rock star yearning for his big break. That’s hard enough, but things really start to go awry when developers show up with plans to flatten the venue he’s hoping will launch him to stardom. Tickets start at $40. Times vary.
• Nevermore: Tales of Edgar Allan Poe at the DeLuxe Theater | Wednesday, October 6 to Sunday, October 17 – Classical Theatre Company returns to in-person performances with this piece, a blending of several tales by the literary and suspense master, which should prove perfect for Poe devotees and lovers of theater alike. Tickets start at $25. Times vary.
• A.D. Players presents Dear Jack, Dear Louise at the George Theater | Wednesday, October 6 to Monday, October 25 – This Houston premiere is the story of U.S. Army captain Jack Ludwig, who begins writing to aspiring actress Louise Rabiner during World War II. Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig mined his family’s history to create a heartwarming story of wartime courtship. Tickets start at $36. Times vary.
• ROCO presents Mixed Messages at Post | Saturday, October 9 – Celebrating World Post day, this concert honors the art of letters and letter writing, including selections from Elvis Costello’s Juliet Letters and in collaboration with Houston Contemporary Dance. Tickets start at $45. 8pm.
• 4th Wall Theatre presents A Doll’s House Part 2 at Studio 101 | Thursday, October 14 to Saturday, November 6 – This Tony-nominated play continues where the classic A Doll’s House left off and audiences will find its commentary on gender roles, love and responsibility are just as sharp and insightful as in Ibsen’s groundbreaking original story. Tickets start at $17. Thursdays to Saturdays 7:30pm; Sundays 3pm.
• Houston Grand Opera presents Carmen at Wortham Center | Friday, October 22 to Sunday, November 7 – One of the most enduring operas of all time, Bizet’s Carmen is the story of obsessive love and a jealousy that will ultimately destroy it. Tickets start at $20. Times vary.
• Houston Symphony presents Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique at Jones Hall | Friday, October 29 to Halloween, Sunday, October 31 | Virtual Option – The story of an artist’s obsession with a beautiful woman, this epic symphony is a wild ride of emotion and music—and an evil witch’s sabbath. Catch it in-person or Saturday’s performance via livestream. Tickets start at $29; $20 for the Saturday livestream. Friday and Saturday 8pm; Sunday 2:30pm.