Performed by Sara Webb and Simon Ball of Houston Ballet, May 2009.

A modern classic, Manon charts the romantic adventures of an irresistibly beautiful femme fatale and her one true love, the impoverished student Des Grieux, from the demi monde of Paris to the bayous of Louisiana. Sir Kenneth has created a brilliant dance drama that explores the relationship between love, sex, and the corrupting power of money. The passion and danger of Manon's central pas de deux have proven irresistible to audiences around the world, and have made it one of the most popular full-length ballets of the second half of the twentieth century. 7:30 PM September 10, 12, 18, 19, 2009 2:00 PM September 13, 20, 2009 www.houstonballet.org

Performed by Houston Ballet, May 2009.

Performed by Houston Ballet, May 2009.

Performed by Houston Ballet, March 2009.

Performed by Houston Ballet, March 2009.

THE POWER OF MOVEMENT Cullen Theater at Wortham Theater Center Friday, June 5 at 8:00 pm Eleven of Houston's best contemporary dance companies will be showcased in this stellar one-night-only event. From Suchu Dance to Dance of Asian America to Houston Ballet, the program will feature an astonishing variety of dance companies and styles. Feel The Power of Movement in all its exhilarating inventiveness! The companies that will be featured on the concert include: Dance of Asian America Dominic Walsh Dance Theater Hope Stone Dance Company Houston Ballet Psophonia Dance Company Revolve Dance Company Sandra Organ Dance Company Suchu Dance Travesty Dance Group Houston Metropolitan Dance Company Urban Souls Dance Company More information at www.houstonballet.org.

Excerpt from Act I's bedroom pas de deux - Marie and Louis XVI

Excerpt from the Act II party scene

Excerpt from Act II's Fersen and Marie pas de deux

A child bride. A spoiled party girl. A doting mother. A controversial queen. Marie Antoinette has long fascinated historians and artists alike. Inspired by the story of her life, artistic director Stanton Welch will create a new full-length ballet about the French monarch whose life culminated in the violent events of the French Revolution. London-based designer Kandis Cook will create costumes and sets for the production. Music director Ermanno Florio will arrange the score, featuring music by Dmitri Shostakovich. Running February 26 - March 8, 2009 For more information please visit www.houstonballet.org.

Jerome Robbins's Afternoon of a Faun looks in on a young couple in a rehearsal studio, with audience as mirror.

Hans van Manen's Solo is an athletic tour-de-force for three gifted male dancers, set to music by Johann Sebastian Bach.

If it's been a while since you've been to the ballet, you may be surprised at what you see.

With the goal of making classical ballet relevant for a new generation of audiences, artistic director Stanton Welch has put his 21st century signature on this 19th love story. Set to the hauntingly beautiful Tchaikovsky score, Swan Lake tells the classic tale of Odette - a beautiful maiden transformed into a swan by an evil knight - and the prince who swears his enduring love for her. It's good and evil in black and white, danced on rich and spectacular sets by the late, great Australian designer Kristian Fredrikson. Running June 11-21, 2009. www.houstonballet.org

Set to the music of Rachmaninoff's Variations on a Theme by Paganini.

As multifaceted as the poem that inspired it, John Cranko's Onegin has been referred to as one of the finest narrative ballets of the late 20th century. Your passions will range from heartfelt to heartbroken as you witness this exquisite tale of youthful arrogance and mature regret. With sumptuous new costumes and scenery by English designer Elisabeth Dalton and a lush Tchaikovsky score, Onegin provides richly textured leading roles to showcase the dramatic abilities of Houston Ballet dancers. Running Sept. 4-14, 2008. www.houstonballet.org.

Premiered in June 2008 by Houston Ballet, A Doll's House depicts a battle between dolls after the toy shop closes. Welch uses Japanese anime as an inspiration for the movement and costumes. Set to music by Istvan Marta.

World premiere for Houston Ballet, set to the music of Philip Glass's Symphony No. 8

Hans van Manen combines the cool abstraction of ballet with the sensual tango. Set to the music of Astor Piazzola.