It's full speed ahead for Ballet Manila. While most ballet companies program three to four major ballet shows in a season, BM has opted to fill its entire calendar with something big every month. Their season is a full buffet, with something to entice all audiences.
Reworked and Reborn
They begin their season with a reworked, choreographed, and refreshed version of Le Corsaire. Le Corsaire has always been a permanent fixture in Ballet Manila's history. It has proven to be one of their best offerings showcasing their dancers' technical ability with the numerous soloist roles available. Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde shared, " For me, the main draw and importance of staging a Le Corsaire si the fact that there are many principal characters that all have their respective times to shine and show off technical and virtuosic feats as the ballet unfolds"
Currently, there is a healthy number of dancers to showcase. Macuja- Elizalde, has dealt with this ballet so many times that she felt, she had an opportunity to improve the storytelling aspect of the ballet. While the major balletic highlights will remain the same, the setting up of the scenes was choreographed to give more depth and logic to the sequence of events. Le Corsaire is a comical ballet about a pirate freeing his loved one from the hands of slavery. The role of Conrad will be shared by Mark Sumaylo and Romeo Peralta. Medora will be performed by Abigail Oliveiro and Pia Dames. Gulnare will be performed by Pearl Dames and Shaira Comeros. Lastly, Lankadem will be shared by Noah Esplanada and Alvin Dictado. Curtains will rise on February 24 and 25, 202 at their homebase Aliw Theatre.
From Book to Ballet
Ballet Manila has always believed in book-to-ballet performances. The company sees this as their advocacy project, ensuring younger generations would be reminded of old Filipino stories that speak of values. Based on Christine Bellen's retelling of Severino Reyes' stories, BM will restage Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang this coming May 2024. Joining the cast will be Mitch Valdez who will be playing the role of Lola Basyang. Valdez who is a well-known comedian promised to stay true to the restaging honoring what was written for her. However, she did say she wanted to really learn the material so that she could also pepper it with her own stylings that would highlight the stories.
Glorious Giselle
Giselle is the ultimate white ballet. For this particular author, Giselle is Ballet Manila's strongest weapon. They have always nailed this ballet leaving audiences in awe. It would be interesting to see how they deal with the challenge of doing this ballet with a completely new fleet of dancers.
Ending with a Bang
The last quarter of the year is really the busiest for all the ballet companies. But Ballet Manila has outdone itself with three productions for every month of quarter four of 2024. A brand new premier of a Filipino ballet by collaborating choreographers Gerardo Francisco and Martin Lawrence will come alive in Aliw Theatre. They will be presenting the Filipino literary classic "Florante at Laura". As of date, the libretto has already been completed and choreography will begin very soon. It will premiere on October 12, 2024.
Following right after would be their Arete Season. Gerardo Francisco's "Ibong Adarna" in November 2024. In compliance with their partnership with Ateneo Arete, Ballet Manila will share their widely appreciated ballet with new audiences.
Christmas won't be the same without a heart-warming ballet, so ending the season would be Lisa Macuja- Elizalde's very own "Snow White". On the side of course is their weekly performance In Star City.
This is a very ambitious calendar for Ballet Manila but this is a lineup that will surely excite existing audiences. It will certainly bring in new audiences. If they are successful in their stagings, it will bring new appreciation for the ballet, Filipino talent, and Filipino material.
Ballet Manila Debut
It is also important to note that Ballet Manila is strengthening its workforce. Joining their roster of dancers are the Andes family dancers. David, Daniel, Ana, and Graciella Andes. They will debut in Ballet Manila in Le Corsaire. Meanwhile. returning to the fold is Raphael Perez who will be joining the company in March. It's always a thrill to see new dancers begin their careers with a Company. I'm excited to see what they can offer.
No comments:
Post a Comment