<strong>A cool Christmas in <em>Frozen</em>-inspired showcase</strong>
Principal dancers Jasmine Pia Dames and Gerardo Francisco embody the essence of a winter wonderland as the White Princess and the Prince. Photo from SM City North EDSA’s Facebook page
It’s beginning to look – and sound – like Christmas! Like Santa’s merry elves, Ballet Manila has been helping to usher in the season upon the invitation of varied host venues for their grand holiday showcases. In this limited series, we feature how the company has been spreading some sparkly yuletide magic with the grace and glamor of ballet.
With Frozen and its sequel Frozen 2 as inspiration, SM North EDSA has created a white-Christmas showcase that would make Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and other characters of the hit animated movies feel right at home.
The Winter Fairy (soloist Nicole Barroso) leads the pixies as part of a Frozen-inspired choreography by Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso. Photo from SM City North EDSA’s Facebook page
Last November 8, the shopping mall in Quezon City unveiled its Frozen Magical Holiday celebration with a 45-foot Snowflake Christmas tree. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach was the featured guest, with performances from Ballet Manila and Marynor Madamesila.
Echoing the winter theme of Frozen, Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias “Shaz” Barroso put together a choreography that would rightfully complement the dazzle and shine of the festivities.
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach are all smiles after the afternoon’s launch. Photo from Ballet Manila’s Facebook page
Principal dancers Jasmine Pia Dames and Gerardo Francisco were cast as the White Princess and the Prince, respectively. Soloist Rissa May Camaclang was the Autumn Fairy and soloist Nicole Barroso the Winter Fairy, each accompanied by a bevy of dancers. Everyone’s appearance and their movements that flowed with the music added to that fairy-tale touch.
“In any corporate performance of Ballet Manila, I consider the space of the performance and the requirement of the client. From there, I create what is very visually appealing to our audience not to mention artistically fulfilling to our artists as well,” says Barroso, who is happy with the results of the company’s participation in the mall event.
Fairytale-like characters lend an enchanting vibe to the launch: Gerardo Francisco as the Prince, Nicole Barroso as the Winter Fairy, Jasmine Pia Dames as the White Princess and Rissa May Camaclang as the Autumn Fairy. Photo from SM City North EDSA’s Facebook page
It was fun for Pia to dance their parts, made easier as event organizers arranged for them to have that “wintry” look through hair and makeup. “It turned out so beautiful!” she enthuses. “It was also memorable because we got to share the stage with THE Miss Universe – Pia Wurtzbach-- even if it’s just holding her hand and guiding her to the center.”
The Frozen Magical Holiday showcase will continue to be seen at the mall’s The Block Atrium until January 5, 2020.
Here’s a look at SM City North EDSA’s Christmas season launch, with Ballet Manila among the guest artists:
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Ballet Manila dancers perform in front of the45-foot Snowflake Christmas tree. Photo from SM City North EDSA’s Facebook page