Ballet Manila Reaches New Heights with its Much-Awaited 22ndPerformance Season
This coming August, we invite you to join us for a season of magic, adventure, dreams, and romance as they lift the curtains on their much-awaited 22nd performance season.
Aptly named Flights of Fantasy, the new season will feature two world premieres, a beloved classic that proves once and for all that there is nothing in this world that love can’t conquer, and another unforgettable rendition of the company’s Ballet & Ballads series.
“This season is all about breaking down walls and leading audiences to worlds that are filled with profound wonders,” shares Ballet Manila’s CEO and Artistic Director, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. “Personally, I believe in the power and the lessons of the stories included in this season’s line-up. These are stories that—for me—need to be told and retold time and again as they highlight the best of human creativity and provide lessons that guide us every day.”
Ibong Adarna
Flights of Fantasy opens on August 26 with an all-new Ballet Manila original—Ibong Adarna. Choreographed by the company’s premier danseur, Gerardo Francisco, the show will bring to life the magical kingdom of Berbanya with modern production techniques, flying sequences, and impressive routines that can rival even those of the most well-known classical pieces. And as if Ballet Manila’s Vaganova Academy Style-trained dancers are not enough reasons to catch the show, Ibong Adarna will also feature West End star Gia Macuja Atchison as the singing Ibong Adarna.
Aside from the choreography and libretto by Francisco, Ibong Adarna will also feature original music by Diwa de Leon, set and costume design by Otto Hernandez, and script by Angela Blardony Ureta.
Ibong Adarna will be shown at Aliw Theater on August 26 and September 2 at 6:00 p.m., and on August 27 and September 3 at 3:00 p.m.
Swan Lake
Come October, the company will stage one of the world’s most enduring and widely popular classical ballets, Swan Lake. Featuring music from master composer Peter Tchaikovsky, the said production is a showcase of the company’s commitment to have at least one classical ballet in its repertoire every season—so as to uphold its Vaganova roots.
For its version of Swan Lake, Ballet Manila’s production features the original Lev Ivanov choreography for the white acts and a brand-new set design by Miguel Faustmann.
“Swan Lake is very close to my heart because it’s the one ballet that convinced me that I can make it as a ballerina. This is why I always look forward to staging this piece. With every staging of Swan Lake, I always utter a silent prayer that a little girl sitting in the audience will also be inspired enough to pursue a ballet career.”
Show schedules are: October 7 and October 14 at 6:00 p.m. and October 8 and October 15 at 3:00 p.m.
Snow White
November will mark another important milestone for Ballet Manila as the company debuts Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s second full-length choreography work, Snow White. Aimed at making the holiday season more magical for everyone, the piece promises to show a new perspective to this timeless tale.
“The Queen will play a big role in the storytelling,” says Macuja-Elizalde. “Our take on Snow White will—we hope—leave everyone wanting for more. We’re taking things up a notch in all aspects. Essentially, we’re bringing the story to the 21stcentury, but maintaining its essence and universal appeal.”
Snow White makes its world premiere at the Aliw Theater on November 25 at 6:00 p.m. Other show dates include December 2 at 6:00 PM, and November 26 and December 3 at 3:00 PM.
Ballet & Ballads
To close the performance season on a sweet note, Ballet Manila will stage another installment of its Ballet & Ballads in February 2018. Heartthrob balladeer Christian Bautista will headline the show, which will be an interesting mix of classical ballet and modern pop music.
“We’re bringing back Ballet & Ballads to show everyone the flexibility of ballet as an art form. Usually, when people think of ballet, they think automatically of classical music, not pop. But then again, we’re breaking walls this season. We’re showing you how ballet can move with the times,” explains Macuja-Elizalde.
Show schedule for Ballet & Ballads are: February 10 and 17, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., and February 11 and 18, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are available through all TicketWorld outlets. Please call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph for more information. In addition, those who are planning to watch all the shows may take advantage our Season Subscription Programs, which offer up to 50% discount on ticket prices. For more information, you may visit www.ticketworld.com.ph/balletmanila/Online/ and click on ‘View Details’ under ‘Season Subscription Program’.