Houston Ballet takes the audience on a journey through time and history with a special performance of Three for the Ages Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. This breathtaking program features three works by vastly different composers and choreographers: “Apollo,” “Falling” and “Fancy Free.” Tickets are $15 for orchestra seating. Mezzanine and lawn seating are free courtesy of The Wortham Foundation, George P. Mitchell and Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts. Tickets are not required for free seating. Gates open at 7 p.m.

“Apollo” (1928), a seminal piece in the history of 20^th century ballet, traces the birth of the god of music, poetry and prophecy and his education by (and flirtation with) the three muses, Calliope, Polyhymnia and Terpsichore. This landmark ballet features music by Igor Stravinsky and choreography by George Balanchine.

“Falling” (2005), second on the program, is an elegant, playful piece set to the music of Mozart’s “Salzburg Symphonies.” Featuring choreography by Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch, the ballet is performed by five couples. Originally created for the San Francisco Ballet, one reviewer wrote “…‘Falling’ is a delight in shades of pastel with…excellent dancing delivered in a joyful, Mozartian spirit.”

The final piece of the evening, “Fancy Free” (1944), first premiered in New York City and proved to be one of the most exciting evenings in the history of American ballet. It is set in 1940s New York City on a hot summer night while three sailors are on shore leave. The adventurous sailors meet two girls and a fight ensues to see who will win their favor.  With music by Leonard Bernstein and choreography by Jerome Robbins, “Fancy Free” is guaranteed fun.

Before the show, sashay to the North Plaza for pre-concert activities sponsored by Fidelity Investments including arts and crafts with The Pavilion Partners, Fidelity Investments, Houston Family Magazine, Woodlands Online, Woodforest National Bank and Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion.

Tickets to Three for the Ages are $15 for orchestra seating. Mezzanine and lawn seating are free and tickets are not required. Orchestra tickets can be purchased at The Pavilion Box Office, located at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and on event days through the start of the show. Tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Fiesta, select FYE, H-E-B, and Media Magic, by calling 800-745-3000, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Preferred parking is available in the on-site Town Center Garage, located along Six Pines Drive.  Parking is $5 per vehicle for this and most performing arts events. Tickets for on-site parking can be purchased in advance at all Ticketmaster locations and The Pavilion Box Office. Guests also may park in any of the five free parking lots on the southwest side of The Pavilion. The free, color-coded lots are connected to The Pavilion by corresponding pathways with signs leading across The Waterway.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion's 2010 season is presented by The Woodlands Development Company and sponsored by Donoho’s Jewellers, Audi of America, The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, Houston Community Newspapers, The Pavilion Partners, The Wortham Foundation, and Continental Airlines, official airline of The Pavilion.

If you would like more information about The Pavilion, visit www.woodlandscenter.org or look for The Pavilion on Facebook or Twitter.