Today's performance of The Taming of the Shrew by the Houston Ballet was cancelled at the last minute after they discovered flooding on the stage.

On a Sunday with a lot of downtown activity, people hoping to make the 2 p.m. showing of the ballet were instead handed a slip of paper and the explanation that today's performance was cancelled, complete with apology. Further explanation came courtesy of a helpful employee waving people away from the parking garage.

2:46 p.m. The Houston Ballet issued a further statement:

The Sunday, June 14, 2:00 PM performance of The Taming of the Shrew was cancelled due to a technical malfunction that allowed rain water to enter the backstage area of the theater. We are sincerely sorry for the cancellation and inconvenience that the short notice may have caused Houston Ballet patrons.



8:41 p.m. We received further information which is that someone left open the exhaust flues at the very top of the Wortham stage, which let in all the rain. The wood stage floor buckled, the stage lamps were full of water, and the legs and some of the scenery got soaked. The crew call was at 1 p.m. and that's when somebody noticed all the damage. They press department frantically called patrons to notify them of the cancellation.

The dancers put on an impromptu performance with Simon Ball — this was to be his last performance — in the Black Box for his family who flew in to see him dance.

Patrons were told for an exchange or full refund they should call the Houston Ballet Box Office at 713-227-2787. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays. June 18- 21. at the Wortham Center, 501 Texas. $20-$165.

