Holidays at the theater make for unforgettable
experiences with Ballet Philippines during this Golden Season, as the company
presents the ever-popular rags-to-riches tale of Cinderella.
 |
| Photo by Jojo Mamangun |
This production sees nothing less than a nonpareil
collaboration of three National Artists: Choreography and direction by National
Artist for Dance Alice Reyes with the musical score of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
specially arranged by National Artist for Music Francisco Feliciano, and set
and costume design by National Artist, the late Salvador Bernal, audiences will
be enthralled as pumpkins turn into an exquisite carriage and glass slippers
find their way back to the rightful princess. This ballet will be mounted by
none other than Nonoy Froilan, Ballet Philippines’ premier danseur for three
decades, who has essayed leading roles in classical and contemporary ballet and
has partnered with world-renowned prima ballerinas such as Margot Fonteyn and
Yoko Morishita.
Reyes takes the fairy tale written in 1812 by the German
Grimm brothers Jacob and Wilhel and recreates it anew while remaining true to
the story’s essence: that there is might and strength in kindness, great power
in forgiveness, and that one must never give up on their dreams.
|
|
Guest artists Liza de la
Fuente, a trailblazer in dance for the last 25 years and Founding Member of the
Association of Ballet Academies, Philippines and Australian-based Novy Bereber,
one of the country’s leading choreographers of his generation, will both be playing
the Widow Brunhilda.
Another guest artist,
Mario Esperanza will be taking on the role of Prime Minister. Bereber and
Esperanza have graced the CCP Main Stage as former Ballet Philippines company
members.
Two matinee shows will
be narrated by Liliane “Tats” Rejante Manahan, a surface decorator/restorer for
wall paintings involved in advocacy work for built heritage preservation as
Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society and representative of the
International Council on Monuments and Sites on National Commission for Culture
and the Arts’ National Commission on Monuments and Sites. She became a
director, writer, and producer from the mid 70’s up to the late 80’s, and
currently, she is a contributor to the Philippine Daily Inquirer and other
publications. Her involvement in dance history serves as proof of her unwavering
support for dance and the arts.
Lead dancers Denise
Parungao and Jemima Reyes who danced Odile/Odette in Ballet Philippines’ 50th
Season opening production Swan Lake will be taking on roles of the Ugly
Stepsisters, demanding highly awkward dancing and comedic interpretations, with
guest artist de la Fuente as their mother Brunhilda. Just as striking are
Victor Maguad and Eugene Obille who both had just played Prince Siegfried in Swan
Lake this August 2019 will now tackle the roles of Griselda and Prunella
with Bereber as Brunhilda. Choreographer Alice Reyes shares, “Originally, I
stayed away from casting male dancers in these roles as that was done so
successfully by Frederick Ashton for the Sadler Wells Ballet—and I wanted to
feature the comedic talents of our company members then—Edna Vida, Malu Rivera,
and Hazel Sabas. Today, we have such a strong array of male and female dancers
with incredible talent and tremendous technical skills.” She adds, “Why not
take this opportunity to challenge the dancers—both female and male, to take on
roles that demand so much more than the usual roles they have already done,
with a completely different set of acting skills that can only deepen their own
artistry.”
Alice Reyes first
choreographed and directed Cinderella
in 1981 for Ballet Philippines with lead dancers Maricar Drilon, Gina Mariano,
Cecile Sicangco, Nonoy Froilan, Robert Medina, and Brando Miranda. Her vision
back then was to simply mount the most enchanting show for her very own
children and the ballet audience. Today, Reyes wears multiple hats as National
Artist, Ballet Philippines’ co-founder, Artistic Director, and Choreographer,
while continuing to inspire this generation’s dancers to become the grandest
versions of themselves. Just on the heels of Ballet Philippines’ successful and
sold-out performances of Swan Lake
and A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
audiences are undoubtedly on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting Reyes’
new take on the favorite children’s fairytale, Cinderella, the third
offering in the company’s 50th Season.
Ballet
Philippines’ Cinderella show dates and schedules:
Ballet
Philippines’ Cinderella runs from December 6 – 15, 2019 at the CCP Main
Theater. Show dates and schedules are as follows:
December 6, 2019 | 8:00 PM
December 7, 2019 | 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM
December 8, 2019 | 2:00 PM
December 14, 2019 | 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM
December 15, 2019 | 2:00 PM
Get
your tickets exclusively at TicketWorld (891-9999), CCP Box Office (832-3704),
or Ballet Philippines Box Office (551-1003) or online at https://bit.ly/33DsBkx as well as in all
Ticketworld outlets.
Enjoy
15% savings when you use your RCBC Credit Card to purchase tickets in any
TicketWorld Outlet or CCP Box Office.
You
can also enjoy 15% savings when you use your Rustan’s Frequent Shopper Program
(FSP) Card and Rustan’s Beauty Addict Card to purchase tickets in any
TicketWorld outlet or CCP Box Office.
Avail
of real 0% interest when you subscribe to Ballet Philippines’ Golden Season
Tickets using your BPI Credit Card with a minimum spend of
P3,000 (Gold Mastercard, Blue Mastercard, Petron Mastercard, Corporate
Mastercard, Skymiles Platinum Mastercard, Skymiles Mastercard, Amore Visa
Platinum, Visa Signature). This is valid for three- and six-month installment
plans until December 31, 2019.
All
Intellicare members are also entitled to 15% off on ticket purchases.
This production is made beyond possible by Ballet
Philippines’ 50 Years, 50 friends such as Okada Manila, Calma Properties, Inc.,
City of Dreams, United Graphic Expression Corporation, Digital-Out-Of-Home,
GRAB, Ayala Land, Bizu Catering Studio, NYXSYS Philippines, Intellicare,
Globaltronics, Sanitary Care Products Asia Inc., SM Development Corporation, Century
Pacific Food, Inc., Bridges, Zonta Club of Alabang, San Miguel Corporation, and
other esteemed partners.
Ballet Philippines,
the country’s preeminent dance company, is celebrating 50 years of dance
excellence. Don’t miss the celebration! Get your Golden Ticket by subscribing
to Ballet Philippines this season at http://ballet.ph/subscribe. You can also call 551-1003, 09566379432 (Globe) and
09212921282 (Smart) to subscribe. Choose, reserve, and get the best seats
before anyone else!
For
more information, connect to Ballet Philippines online:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/balletphilippines
Instagram:
@balletphilippines
YouTube:
balletphhttp://www.ballet.ph
