Ballet Philippines continues the celebration of its 50th Season with the ever-popular rags-to-riches tale. National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes recreates Cinderella and will choreograph and direct the show.
Joining Reyes in the creative team are two other National Artists: National Artist for Music Francisco Feliciano for a special arrangement of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s music score, and the late Salvador Bernal for the set and costume design.
As BP’s third offering for BP’s 50th season, Reyes again breathes new life to the original fairy tale by the German Grimm brothers Jacob and Wilhel while remaining true to the story’s essence: that there is strength in kindness, great power in forgiveness, and that one must be steadfast on their dreams.
Audiences will be enthralled as pumpkins magically transform 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.
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.
Lead dancers Denise Parungao and Jemima Reyes who danced Odile/Odette in Swan Lake will be taking on roles of the Ugly Stepsisters, Griselda and Prunella. Alternately, these roles will be played by Victor Maguad and Eugene Obille who both had just played Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake. 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.
When Reyes first choreographed and directed Cinderella in 1981, she says, “Originally, I stayed away from casting male dancers in these roles as I wanted to feature the comedic talents of our company members then. 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.”
Ballet Philippines’ Cinderella runs from December 6 – 15, 2019 at the CCP Main Theater.
Get your tickets exclusively at Ticketworld (891-9999) and its outlets, CCP Box Office (832-3704), or Ballet Philippines Box Office (551-1003).
Click here for more stories like “Alice Reyes recreates Cinderella for Ballet Phils. anew”. Make sure to follow and subscribe to our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
