Catch the world premiere of a noted author’s play or witness a performance of ‘Kurios.’
Want to mix some culture with your OTC experience? Of course you do, and Houston has some fine offerings for the performing arts. Here are our picks for the best shows while you’re in town.
‘Snow White’
Donald Barthelme’s postmodern take on the Snow White fairy tale sees, for the first time, a full-on stage production by the Catastrophic Theatre. Yes, this is a something you’re not going to witness wherever it is you live. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; pay what you can. $35 suggested donation; MATCH, 3400 Main; catastrophictheatre.com.
‘Kurios’
This new iteration of Cirque du Soleil is called “Cabinet of Curiosities,” a tribute to steampunk and fantasy with all the usual cirque attractions — juggling, acrobatics, percussion and eyeopening costuming and staging. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway W.; $35$175; 877-924-7783, cirquedusoleil.com/kurios.
‘A View From the Bridge’
Arthur Miller’s classic family drama comes to the Alley Theatre after the Alley’s productions of Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” in 2012 and “All My Sons” in 2015. Alley Artistic Director Gregory Boyd directs this production. 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; Alley Theatre, 615 Texas; $26-$78, 713-220-5700, alleytheatre.org.
‘Barber of Seville’
Houston Grand Opera and Opera to Go! collaborate on this new bilingual adaptation of Gioachino Rossini’s beloved comedy featuring Rosina, who travels from Texas to Spain. It’s an excellent, free outdoor event suited for children, Spanish speakers and opera fans alike. 11 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday; Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive; free; 832-487-7102.
‘Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man’
Here’s an offbeat choice for the nighttime crowd: a comedy set up as an audience-interactive seminar on sex. This turns the Alley Theatre’s downstairs theater into a raunchy cabaret. 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday; Alley Theatre, 615 Texas; $37-$57, 713-220-5700, alleytheatre.org.