Ballet Manila presents world premiere of ‘Snow White’
Abigail Oliveiro as The Evil Queen plays an integral part in the storytelling in Ballet Manila’s Snow White.
After last year’s magical production of her own version of Cinderella, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde steps into her choreographer’s shoes once more, breathing life to another beloved fairy tale in Snow White.
In the Ballet Manila world premiere, the elements of fantasy, romance, adventure and humor are woven together in dance using the classical ballet vocabulary that Macuja-Elizalde is most skilled in.
In Snow White, the Evil Queen plays a big role in the storytelling and magic happens on stage – literally – with the participation of a professional magician. The musical score is a combination of Jules Massenet, popular nursery rhymes and familiar melodies from the Disney film, while the look of the ballet takes inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen.
The Witch (Godwin Merano) entices Snow White (Katherine Barkman) to take a bite out of the poisoned apple.
In the story, The Evil Queen (Abigail Oliveiro) orders The Huntsman (Alfren Salgado/ Mark Sumaylo) to kill Snow White (Katherine Barkman/ Joan Emery Sia/ Heewon Cho). But having grown fond of the princess who has been become like his own child, The Huntsman allows her to flee instead. In the forest, she befriends the Seven Dwarves, namely Dopey (Alvin Santos), Grumpy (John de Dios), Happy (Anselmo Dictado), Doc (Glenn Ragel), Sleepy (Sean Pelegrin), Sneezy (Jamil Montibon) and Bashful (Rudy de Dios).
She also befriends other creatures including the Deer Family (Gerardo Francisco with Jasmine Dames and Pearl Dames, and later meets the Prince (Joseph Phillips/ Elpidio Magat/ Romeo Peralta). Upon learning that The Huntsman has failed her, The Evil Queen transforms into The Witch in the Mirror (Godwin Merano) who schemes to give a poisoned apple to the princess. The Prince of course rescues his beloved Snow White.
“Similar to Cinderella, I want the audience to be happy and engaged all throughout the ballet. I want to inject humor because I like the overall feel of the ballet to be light and amusing,” notes Macuja-Elizalde. “I love telling a story with choreography so really, the audience can expect about an hour and a half of storytelling through dance.”
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Snow White will go on stage on November 25 and December 2 at 6 p.m., and on November 26 and December 3 at 3 p.m. at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. Tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets; call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information, call 525-5967, or follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Seven Dwarves come across a sleeping Snow White (Katherine Barkman) in the forest.
