In an announcement late Thursday, Houston First sent out a media advisory saying that the flood damaged Worth Theater Center will reopen in September — a departure from earlier projections that it would be ready to go by mid-May 2018.
No specific reason was given for the new, later date, other that to note that the restoration of the center which was flooded by much higher than expected water from Hurricane Harvey, is an involved process.
According to Houstonfirst which manages the city's convention and arts facilities:
"Getting the Wortham back up and running again after taking on twelve feet of water is a complex process, but contractors and the forensic engineering firm have worked tirelessly to safely dry out, assess and stabilize the building. The next phase of work for the Wortham will focus on repairs and reconstruction."The Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera were both displaced from the Wortham. HGO has moved most of its performances to the newly christened Resilience Hall on the third floor of the George R. Brown, where The House Without a Christmas Tree opened Thursday night. (HGO seat pads were on all the chairs — a much-welcomed addition to performances there.)
Houston Ballet has moved its dancers to the Hobby Center in shortened runs, although it will be performing at both Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land and the Hobby Center for The Nutcracker in December.
Houston First has worked with the arts companies to re-home them — something that isn't always easy because of earlier commitments made to other arts performances, particularly at the Hobby Center.