The third show in its 24th performance season “On Pointe,” Sleeping Beauty is Macuja Elizalde’s homage to this ballet classic and fairy tale. Against the background of the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s choreography adapted bits and pieces from the original staging by Marius Petipa and Konstantin Sergeyev while creating stunningly new portions.
It will be staged on January 18 at 6:00 PM and January 19 at 3:00 PM at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City.
“Sleeping Beauty is considered a masterwork in the world of classical ballet because it stretches everyone to the fullest of their abilities. Everything about this show is very academic, very old school. Ballet Manila is here to preserve that tradition and, at the same time, create something entirely new.” Ballet Manila CEO Lisa and artistic director Macuja-Elizalde said.
It has been more than two months since the tragedy; and the dance company is slowly getting back on its feet, rising from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix to carry on with its goals and mission.“We went back to the original motto of Ballet Manila – ‘have floor, will dance.’ That was what we did before the existence of Aliw Theater and Star Theater. And that is what we will do,” she said.
“We are a team, a family. As one, we will continue to fight and work hard and overcome this together.” Her dance company continues to show strength and resilience after the fire that razed its home venue, Aliw Theater, and temporarily set askew the company’s planned 24th performance season lineup.
Moving to the new venue meant adapting to necessary changes. Macuja Elizalde, her dancers, and the rest of her production team had to adjust to new plans, choreography, stage setup, and casting. Producing the show was more challenging due to limited time for setting up and technical rehearsals.
During the Q&A portion, Lisa also shares how they miss the privilege of holding of almost a week of technical rehearsals at the Aliw Theater. They also aim to re-open the theater this October, exactly a year after the incident.
Nevertheless, Macuja Elizalde said that they have certainly saved the best for last and Sleeping Beauty will be the fitting ending to her Princess Trilogy. An enthralling story on its own, Sleeping Beauty will surely capture the hearts of viewers even if they did not see the first two installments, namely Snow White and Cinderella. The show will be supported by a powerhouse cast led by principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames who will take on the role of Aurora, while her fellow principal dancer Romeo Peralta will be her love interest, Prince Phillip. Other cast members include Mark Sumaylo, Rissa May Camaclang, Joan Sia, Gerardo Francisco, Rafael Perez, Alvin Dictado, Shaira Comeros, and Emma Harris.
A month or so ago, Lisa admitted that she didn’t even dream of staging Sleeping Beauty. “I did not have the courage to make a decision about proceeding with the show. I was still in shock and denial for weeks after the fire,” she shares. However, the overwhelming outpouring of love and support they’ve received when they performed Giselle in October gave her the strength to overcome the obstacles. And with Sleeping Beauty, Ballet Manila will continue to dance, beautifully, majestically in a way that will undoubtedly wow the audience.
Ballet Manila is all set to captivate its audience with the world premiere of Sleeping Beauty, an apt offering for the new year, as the company ‘awakens’ from the brief slumber caused by the tragic fire.
And just like the phoenix, they will rise, rise they will…
To buy tickets for Sleeping Beauty, visit any Ticketworld outlet; call 8891 9999, or go to www.ticketworld.com.ph.
For more information, visit https://balletmanila.com.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/BalletManilaOfficial/