All performances are always free

Fun facts and frequently asked questions at the bottom

HOUSTON ─ Since 1923, Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park has been one of Houston’s most beloved cultural treasures, a gathering place for the community and the site of thousands of memorable free performances. That’s over 90 years of memories.

From daytime programs especially for young children to family friendly evening performances of classical music, jazz, ethnic music and dance, ballet, Shakespeare, musical theatre, popular concert artists, films and more, this is Houston’s best entertainment value.

For more information go to www.milleroutdoortheatre.com

FOOTLOOSE, The Musical

March 30, 31 and April 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8 p.m.

Lose your blues, cut loose, and kick off your Sunday shoes as HITS Theatre presents the finger-snapping, toe-tapping musical, FOOTLOOSE.

One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid.

The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free tickets are available (4 per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office the day of the performance between the hours of 10:30 a.m. -1 p.m. If tickets remain at 1 p.m., the box office will re-open one hour before show time to distribute the remaining tickets. As always, open seating on the hill.

Produced by HITS Theatre

Concert Band & Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band

April 14 at 8 p.m.

The Concert Band & Soldiers’ Chorus are the oldest and largest of The U.S. Army Field Band’s performing components. Founded in 1946 and 1957 respectively, these two ensembles combine to present joint concerts on their national tours. They have performed in all 50 states and 30 foreign countries for audiences totaling hundreds of millions.

Their mission is to serve and inspire the American people by telling the Army story and honoring our Soldiers and Veterans at home and abroad as The Musical Ambassadors of the Army.

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DADmZdbQ9x8

The 65-member Concert Band and 29-member Soldiers’ Chorus perform regularly in some of the most famous concert halls in the world, and just as often in the humblest auditoriums in the smallest of communities. The joining of these two ensembles allows them to offer unparalleled versatility of programming, ranging from orchestral masterworks and operatic arias to Sousa marches, jazz classics, and Broadway musicals.

The band and chorus also perform independently, and have recently shared the stage with such ensembles as the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. In addition to their national tours, formal concerts, chamber recitals, and educational outreach, members of the Concert Band & Soldiers’ Chorus frequently represent the Army at formal and ceremonial functions, including the Presidential Inaugural Parade, presidential funerals, the Army All American Bowl, and diplomatic efforts overseas.

Presented by Miller Outdoor Theatre

Houston’s Got Bollywood – The Red Carpet

April 15 at 8:15 p.m.

NAACH Houston brings you a brand new India House production with the sheer global spirit of Bollywood Dance Theatre, conceived and directed by Mahesh Mahbubani.

Lavish costumes, innovative choreography, dynamic dancers and breathtaking visuals are all woven together, creating a spectacular Bollywood theatrical production.

NIGHT AT THE MOVIES – a tribute to the spirit of Bollywood cinema, showcasing a variety of song and dance using different situations from Indian films.
MAUSAM – SEASONS – Celebrating the four seasons, Bollywood style.
LA GALLERIA D’ARTE – This act is inspired by Indian paintings.
SUPERSTAR – Capturing the sheer essence of a superstar.

Produced by India House and NAACH Houston

Charlotte’s Web

April 19, 20 at 11 a.m.

“Friendship is one of the most satisfying things in the world,” says Wilbur the pig in Charlotte’s Web. And he should know. His life is saved by his kind and ingenious friend Charlotte — a barn spider with some serious web-weaving skills!

This adaptation of E. B. White’s classic children’s story features enchanting characters, including Wilbur, Charlotte, Templeton the rat, and Fern — a young girl determined to help her pet pig avoid becoming bacon!

Charlotte’s Web is presented by A. D. Players, one of Houston’s oldest resident theater companies.

Seating for daytime performances is on a “first come, first served” basis for the covered seating area. NO TICKETS ARE NECESSARY. NO RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE. As always, open seating on the hill. The show goes on rain or shine. More information for school groups can be found ere.

Produced by AD Players

Music That Should Be Danced

April 21 at 8 p.m.

“This unique showcase of inspired new collaborative works by Houston musicians and dancers reflects our city’s richly diverse creative spirit and includes the premiere of a work commissioned and choreographed for Foundation for Modern Music (FMM)’s resident performing group, Avalon Ensemble and dancers.

Juxtaposition of various music and dance styles of multiple cultures alongside “serious” classical art music is FMM’s way of departing from a typical stuffy concert atmosphere — a signature of the organization that reflects Houston’s unique embrace of our wonderfully varied treasures.

Participants include Greenbriar Consortium, Houston Symphony musicians, HSPVA, Meyerland Middle School Dance Dept., Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Urban Souls Dance Company, and more.

Produced by Foundation for Modern Music

Che Malambo

April 22 at 8 p.m.

This powerhouse all-male Argentinian dance company excites audiences with their percussive dance and music spectacle: a dynamic blend of precision footwork, rhythmic stomping, drumming, and song born from the heart of the South American gaucho (cowboy) tradition.

Malambo began in the 17th Century as competitive duels that tested skills of agility, strength, and dexterity among the gaucho. It soon evolved to include its hallmark zapeteo — the fast-paced footwork inspired by the rhythm of galloping horses. In addition to zapateo, Malambo features the drumming of traditional Argentine bombo, and whirling boleadoras — a throwing weapon made up of intertwined cords weighted with stones.

Che Malambo video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D29JCHlioPI

Che Malambo, created by French director and choreographer Gilles Brinas, has been thrilling audiences around the world since its premiere in Paris in 2007. Brinas first learned about Malambo while researching traditional dances. He soon fell under its spell and travelled to the Pampas region of Argentina to engage with the gaucho and further his exploration of their traditions. Inspired by the dance and the talent of its exponents, he created Che Malambo to share this powerful, passionate form with international audiences.

Gilles Brinas is a dancer, director, and choreographer and has performed with prestigious dance companies throughout Europe, including Ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon (under the direction of Vittorio Biagi and Miklo Sparemblek), the Ballet of the Twentieth Century by Maurice Béjart at La Scala in Milan (choreographer Amedeo Amodio), the Grand Ballet de France, and in the company of Robert Hossein (choreographer George Skibine). In addition to founding the Ballet DEA in 1979, Brinas has choreographed works for Beinnale de la Danse. Among his many honors are awards from the Bagnolet competition and the Charles Oulmont Foundation.

Don’t miss this thrilling production of Che Malambo!

Presented by Miller Outdoor Theatre

Swing, Jive and Pop! Into Dance

April 26 at 11 a.m.

METdance’s “Swing, Jive & Pop! Into Dance” incorporates history, fashion, music, and the arts in an interactive blast of excitement. The company dances its way through the eras — Lindy Hops through the 1930s, bops into the 1950s, grooves into the 1970s, and revs things up with the Hip Hop music of today.

Students, teachers, and audience members have the opportunity to converse with the dancers and participate in an energy-filled hour of dance while learning fun, historical tidbits of information along the way.

Produced by METdance

Freedom Train

April 27 at 11 a.m.

A mother and son escape a plantation in Texas and journey to freedom along the Underground Railroad to Mexico in 1844. Based on actual events in Texas history. Written by Celeste Bedford Walker and Tim Fried-Fiori.

Produced by Express Children’s Theatre

East Meets West XV

April 29 at 8:15 p.m.

This performance is a collaboration between Dance of Asian America and some of Houston’s most elite dance companies including Texas Ballet Theatre, Revolve Dance Company, Houston Ballroom Company, Ad Deum Dance Company, Artisan Ballet Company, and FLY Dance Company.

Produced by Dance of Asian America

Fun Facts and Frequently Asked Questions about Miller Outdoor Theatre

Where is everyone going?

Since 1923, Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park has been one of Houston’s most beloved cultural treasures, a gathering place for the community and the site of thousands of memorable free performances. That’s over 90 years of memories!

Miller is unique in the United States, offering an eight month season of professional, artistically-excellent and culturally diverse entertainment completely FREE of charge to the public. This is the largest “always free” program of its kind in the country and it attracts hundreds of thousands each season. From daytime programs especially for young children to family friendly evening performances of classical music, jazz, ethnic music and dance, ballet, Shakespeare, musical theatre, popular concert artists, films and more, this is Houston’s best entertainment value.

What to expect at Miller Outdoor Theatre?

Leave the neckties and high heels at home. Expect quality entertainment from around the world without the daunting dress code of a traditional theater. Miller Outdoor Theatre offers audiences a relaxed atmosphere, allowing guests to enjoy one another’s company as well as a great performance.

The price is right. All performances are always free!

To the Right, or to the Left on the hill?

Take a family vote on where you’d like to sit to enjoy the performance. Tickets are not necessary for hillside seating. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Please note that lawn chairs must be placed on the left side of the hill. Sit on the right side of the hill if you prefer to sit on a blanket.

How do you get a seat in the covered seating area for evening performances?

Approximately 1,700 new seats were installed under the canopy in 2009. Admission is free for all performances. All evening shows (except movies) require tickets for admission for seats under the canopy. For those performances, assigned seat tickets are available, on a first-come basis and while supplies last, on the day of performance only between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the box office behind the theatre. A maximum of four tickets per person over age 16 is allowed. Any remaining tickets are released one hour before curtain. TICKETS MAY NOT BE RESERVED BY PHONE.

Can I lose my seat even though I had a ticket?

All unclaimed seats are released 5 minutes before the show is scheduled to begin. We encourage all patrons to be in their seats 15 minutes before show time to insure that their seat will not be released. Again, there is NO charge for tickets.

Please note: At management’s discretion, all unoccupied seats may be released at any time for any reason.

How do you get a seat in the covered seating area for daytime performances?

The Daytime Children’s Series offers teachers and parents alike an excellent opportunity to expose youngsters to the delights of the performing arts with a series of productions designed especially for children. Performances begin at 11 a.m. and last approximately 1 hour. No tickets are necessary for covered seating area. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Paper or Plastic?

You choose. But, definitely NO glass containers of any kind are allowed.

You’ll never go hungry here

Miller Theatre’s concession stand offers refreshments and other supplies for picnics. Purchasing concessions at Miller Theatre supports the free performances.

No Smoking

Miller Theatre is a NO SMOKING zone. Smoking is not allowed in any City of Houston Park, including Hermann Park. No smoking at the theatre, on the plaza or on the hill. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

What to pack

Decisions, decisions…there are so many choices. Pack a picnic basket with fried chicken or caviar. It’s up to you. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Definitely bring the whole family. Yes, you may even pack alcohol. But please, leave the glass containers at home.