Texas Living

January Events: Texas Theater

By Abi Grise 12.20.18

As the curtain opens on the first act of 2019, catch some stage performances across Texas. Set the stage for a great year with a variety of live entertainment across the state, from Shakespeare to the symphony and rodeos to acoustic guitar circles under the twinkling Texas night sky.

Central Texas

Picker Circle, Jan. 1–31, Luckenbach

One of Texas’ best-kept secrets is the Picker Circle hiding in the back of the Old West-style Luckenbach Texas dance hall. Sit with local guitarists under the oak trees for an unplugged jam that will delight your soul and make you tap your feet.

Kerrville Renaissance Festival, Jan. 25–27, Kerrville

Have your turkey leg and eat it, too. Step into a medieval paradise of fantastical entertainment at the Kerrville Renaissance Festival. Choose from an abundance of theatrical performances by costumed entertainers, such as Dublin Harpers and the Toobadours and The Dancing Doll. Kids will have a royally fun time watching knighting ceremonies, circus acts, and bird of prey demonstrations.

Tickets are $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages 5–12, and free for ages 4 and under at the gate; discounts tickets available in advance from Dec. 5.

North Texas

Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Jan. 18–20, 24–26, Plano

The talented young thespians of Willow Bend Center for the Arts are turning classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales on their heads by combining characters and storylines from all 209 tales into one bizarre and hilarious fairy tale mash-up. You’ll recognize characters like Cinderella and Snow White, and also be introduced to characters from more obscure tales, such as The Devil and His Grandmother. This performance will require your participation, so don’t be shy about hooting and hollering.

Tickets are $10 in advance.

Dragons Love Tacos & Other Stories, Jan. 20, Richardson

Visit the Eisemann Center for Theatreworks USA’s musical rendition of popular contemporary children’s books including the production’s namesake, Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein, The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo, and Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days by Erica Silverman.

Tickets begin at $12.

South Texas

4 Camerata Recital, Jan. 20, San Antonio

Get lost in the dreamy classical works of Debussy, Bartók, Schoenberg, Nenov, and Prokofiev, performed by the chamber music ensemble Camerata San Antonio. Master pianist Viktor Valkov will lend his talents (and fingers) to the performance this year in the UIW Concert Hall.

Regular tickets are $20. Student tickets are $8.

MLK Battle of the Bands Competition Houston, Jan. 20, Houston

If you’re all about the cymbal life, march on down to Houston’s W.W. Thorne Stadium to experience the thunder, thrill, and excitement of one of the largest high school marching band competitions in the U.S. The 18th annual friendly bout includes no less than 16 nationally acclaimed high school bands from across the nation.

Tickets are $12.

East Texas

Taming of the Shrew, Jan. 15–20, Tyler

The Tyler Civic Theatre has seriously condensed this classic Shakespeare play … to only one act! At this 45-minute performance, you can expect an abridged plotline. However, the Shakespearean language and key plot twists will stay intact.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12.50 for students; Jan. 15 and 16 shows are $5.

Diary of a Worm, a Spider & a Fly, Jan. 24, Galveston

Don’t miss bringing your little bugs (kids, that is) to this performance by the Dallas Children’s Theater inspired by Doreen Cronin’s whimsical book series. Don’t be fooled, though — these little insects teach kids about big topics, like earth science and tolerance of others.

Tickets begin at $6.

West Texas

Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo, Jan. 2–12, Odessa

What performance could be more Texan than Odessa’s stock show and rodeo? Sandhills prides itself as a cut above the rest by exclusively featuring Hereford cattle and fine-wool lambs. Don’t miss the Special Kids Rodeo and stick around to say “hay” to the ponies at the horse show.

Tickets start at $16.

The Romantics: Classical Concert #4, Jan. 18–19, El Paso

If the emotive works of romantic composers Brahms and Dvořák strike a chord with you, don’t miss the El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s performance of The Romantics with Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey. But first, tune in to Opening Notes, insights on the evening’s program at the Philanthropy Theatre before the show.

Tickets begin at $16.

Need some tunes for the road? Check out our ultimate Texas road trip playlist.

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