Circus D’Ballet – a unique extravaganza combining circus acts and ballet – brings back the Christmas tale Belen to regale Star City visitors this holiday season.

Presented by Star City, Ballet Manila and Manila Broadcasting Company, Belen is a free show offered to Star City guests. Admission is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Choreographed and directed by Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso, Belen re-imagines the fabled journey of the Three Kings in search of the Child Jesus.

Belen goes onstage at the Aliw Theater, which is found in the Star City entertainment complex in Pasay City, on the following dates: December 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 – 7 p.m.; December 25 – 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; January 1 – 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; and January 2 – 7 p.m.

“We’ve tweaked Belen to make the show even better and more entertaining,” says Barroso, who was also at the helm of other Circus D’Ballet productions such as Can Can, Princess of the Moon, Munting Anghel and Lahi.

Circus D’Ballet, a creative collaboration between circus artists and ballet dancers, was the brainchild of MBC chairman Fred J. Elizalde. It was launched in 2001 featuring Belen at the theme park’s then newly inaugurated Star Theater.

In Belen, a real magician serves as guide to the Three Kings who travel across land, water, air and fire to follow the Star leading them to the newly born Jesus. Along the way, they encounter a host of enchanted characters comprised of jugglers, trapeze artists, contortionists, fire blowers, sword swallowers, unicyclists, stilt walkers and acrobats, as well as Ballet Manila dancers performing a special choreography.

“Every year, we look forward to Circus D’Ballet because it’s really like a Christmas gift for audiences who come to Star City. Each show is fun and meaningful that is just so fitting for the season,” says Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Ballet Manila artistic director.