READY TO GO: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra opens its season Thursday with a program highlighted by Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. Jaap van Zweden’s guidance of the orchestra has been universally praised. But the DSO’s financial situation is still a little murky, though last year was the first in a few that the organization’s deficit was under a million dollars. Which is why it’s important that those seats at the Meyerson are filled. “Jaap makes music with this orchestra in a very intense, muscular, compelling, emotional way,” DSO president and CEO Jonathan Martin tells dallasnews.com. “If we can get people to come into the hall, they’ll come back. But we’ve got to get them into the hall.”

SETTING THE STAGE: On Tuesday, the touring production of Peter and the Starcatcher visits the Winspear Opera House as part of the Lexus Broadway Series. The sets for the show were designed by Donyale Werle, who won a Tony for her efforts. In an interview with theaterjones.com, she talks about how designing another short-lived Broadway show got her to consider the environmental impact of her work.

TAKING IN THE TOADIES: Did ya make it over the Panther Island Pavilion over the weekend for Dia de los Toadies? If so, there’s a good chance you got your picture taken. Both dfw.com and dallasnews.com have posted slideshows from the event.