Talk about an evil queen and her all-knowing mirror, a princess on the run, seven dwarfs in the forest, a poisoned apple and a prince’s life-restoring kiss -- and what do you get?

Snow White, but of course!

Ballet Manila brings to life this beloved story as the third production in its “Flights of Fantasy” season. As choreographed by artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, it combines a delightful dose of romance, adventure and comedy – with a touch of magic!

In fairy-tale mode since rehearsals started, Ballet Manila’s lead artists share their thoughts on random Snow White-related stuff... including the much-fabled “happily ever after”!

Katherine Barkman

Which version of Snow White is the most memorable for you?

For me, it’s the Disney film! I loved watching the movie as a kid and I think I even had it on VCR tape. It reminds me of my childhood.

If you were one of the dwarfs, who would you be? Why?

I would probably be Dopey, the littlest of the bunch! Outside of the studio, I’m quite ungraceful, uncoordinated, and a bit of a goofball much like Dopey.

Tell us about that moment when you felt like you were in a fairytale.

Besides dancing Cinderella last year and really living a fairy-tale existence, my real-life fairy tale happened last August at the Asian Grand Prix. I had just finished two successful Winners Gala performances from Sleeping Beauty and was attending a big formal dinner with all the jury and guests. I was wearing the white Filipiniana terno of Ma’am Lisa (Macuja-Elizalde). I remember when I walked in escorted by my partner, Joseph Phillips, all the heads turned and everyone gushed over the beautiful gown! I really felt like a princess that night with Ma'am Lisa there as my very loving Queen Mother!

What would you ask the magic mirror?

I would ask the mirror to show me my future self. I’ve always wondered what I will look like when I’m older.

Please describe your “happily ever after”.

Happy ever after for me would be traveling the world dancing and then moving to live somewhere near the Mediterranean (still dancing, ha ha ha). Maybe one day my prince will come. But if he won’t join me, I will still live happily ever after. #noprinceneeded

Joseph Phillips

Which version of Snow White is the most memorable for you?

I saw the animated Disney version when I was seven, eight years old about 30 times! I liked the story, the idea of the house in the woods, the seven dwarfs…

The first ballet I performed in as a kid was Snow White when I didn't really know what ballet was yet. I was 11 and I had only been taking ballet lessons for three months. I played Bashful; I was a very shy kid, so it fit.

If you were one of the dwarfs, who would you be? Why?

Bashful. Because up to now, I can still be very shy.

What is the most princely thing you’ve done for a girl?

I don’t know if you would call it princely, but I bought a pendant necklace for her just because I was away for a long time and I missed her. The most romantic thing I’ve done for my girl, Denise, is to bring her to the most beautiful place I’ve been to – Balesin Island.

 What would you ask the magic mirror?

When will I die? I think people don’t realize it, but we all want to know how much time we have left to do what we want to do. I can ask the mirror what the winning lottery number is going to be or what's going to happen ten years from now, but I want to know something I could use for the benefit of other people and not just mine.

Please describe your “happily ever after”.

I don't believe in happy ever after. We always want to go somewhere but when we get to that place, we want to do something else. So for me, it’s always ten years from now, where do I want to be? And when I get there, what’s the next ten years going to be and so on. I think it’s an optimistic point of view because we always want to achieve more. I will always be chasing it, but will I attain it? I would say that my happy ever after is when I’m in the ground and have a tombstone, because I can’t do anything more.

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Snow White will have its world premiere on November 25, 6 p.m., at Aliw Theater. Succeeding shows will be on November 26, 3 p.m.; December 2, 6 p.m.; and December 3, 3 p.m. For tickets and inquiries, call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.