After nearing three decades of soaring like a victorious phoenix, Ballet Manila is ready to take the live stage in its newly refurbished home, Aliw Theatre, bearing the theme "Of Hope and Homecoming" for the 25th season performance.
Despite being abroad, the Prima Ballerina and CEO of Ballet Manila, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, virtually honored the upcoming season's press preview on Wednesday, Feb 8, at Aliw Theatre, Pasay City, conveying a message of hope to the industry.
"Once again, Aliw Theater is open and live performances are back," she said opening the event, "There is a rebirth and a renewal of the ability to perform to a live audience. And that really gives us as performing artists that huge amount of hope looking forward to performing live again in a full season of ballet."
The new season will introduce three notable shows carrying the beauty of visual art.
Romeo and Juliet
Opening the 25th edition is the world premiere performance of British choreographer Martin Lawrance's Romeo and Juliet, introducing a unique flavor of modern Filipino.
"It needed a flow, but the story is so heavy all the way through, so I needed to give it some variety, some light and shade," he explained.
Giving the press preview, ballet dancers donned hip costumes, toe dancing in mash-ups of the original Prokofiev score, and popular OPM tunes.
Among the Filipino songs are Ikaw by Yeng Constantino, When I Met You by APO Hiking Society, and Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin by Lani Misalucha.
The show will run on February 18, 2023, at 8 PM and February 19, 2023, at 5 PM.
Don Quixote
Following the tragic love story is the classic adventure of Don Quixote, which will be staged on May 27, 2023, at 8 PM and May 28, 2023, at 5 PM.
The show features two dancers from San Francisco Ballet, soloist Katherine Barkman to play Kitri and Esteban Hernandez, who will play Basilio.
Barkman started her career in Ballet Manila, mentored by Macuja-Elizalde from 2015 to 2018 to become a principal dancer.
"I kind of set my career in motion. You know Ballet Manila is where I started, and it always feels like coming home," the soloist expressed with excitement.
Ibong Adarna
The season will end with the multi-awarded original Filipino work choreographed by Gerardo Francisco — Ibong Adarna.
He also revealed slight changes from past performances, including a bigger screen, a leveled-up graphic design with a shorter version, and smaller casts.
His work has already bagged numerous awards, including the Gawad Buhay awards for Outstanding Male Lead for Modern Dance, Outstanding Modern Dance Production, and Outstanding Choreography for Modern Dance.
Ibong Adarna is slated on August 19, 2023, at 8 PM and August 20, 2023, at 5 PM.
All performances will be staged at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City.
For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 8891 9999.
