Ballet Manila sets 25th performance season ‘Of Hope and Homecoming’
As it marks its 28th anniversary in February, Ballet Manila finally gets to stage its 25th performance season live – long delayed by pandemic lockdowns and restrictions – at its newly renovated home of Aliw Theater in Pasay City.
Principal dancers Joshua Enciso and Jessica Pearl Dames take on the lead roles in Martin Lawrance’s contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet in February. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto
Aptly themed “Of Hope and Homecoming,” the season opens on February 18, Saturday, 8 p.m., and February 19, Sunday, 5 p.m., with the world premiere of British choreographer Martin Lawrance’s contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Principal dancers Joshua Enciso and Jessica Pearl Dames take on the lead roles in the Philippines-set version where Romeo and Juliet perform the famous Balcony Scene to the OPM hit, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas.
On May 27, Saturday, 8 p.m., and May 28, Sunday, 5 p.m., Ballet Manila presents the classic Don Quixote featuring guest artists Esteban Hernandez and Katherine Barkman, principal dancer and soloist, respectively, of San Francisco Ballet.
Barkman, former Ballet Manila principal dancer, returns to the Philippines to dance the full-length role she debuted in with the company in 2017.
San Francisco Ballet soloist Katherine Barkman returns as Kitri in Ballet Manila’s full-length Don Quixote in May. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
Finally, on August 19, Saturday, 8 p.m., and August 20, Sunday, 5 p.m. – coinciding with Buwan ng Wika or Language Month – Ballet Manila brings back the beloved Filipino original Ibong Adarna choreographed by Gerardo Francisco Jr.
Principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro assumes the lead once more as the mythical bird in the ballet version of the popular Filipino tale.
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde said the company is excited to have this much-awaited live 25th performance season after a long hiatus from the stage brought on by the pandemic that also delayed the renovation of Aliw Theater after it was damaged by a fire in 2019.
“I’m just glad we’re able to celebrate it. I feel the worst is over and it can only get better,” she stated.
Principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro reprises her role as the mythical bird in Gerardo Francisco Jr.’s Ibong Adarna in August. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Previously, Ballet Manila marked its 25th year with a Silver Linings online program that consisted of Ballet Minis, a series of short dance films, and Dance Day Live!, a series of short programs livestreamed from the company’s Studio 1.
Macuja-Elizalde encouraged the public to avail of subscription packages to get season discounts.
For a limited time, there will be 25% discount when buying tickets through Ticketworld with promo code BMSEASON25.
The direct link to buy tickets is https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx...
For more information, visit the website www.balletmanila.com.ph or the BalletManilaOfficial page on Facebook and Instagram, or call 0918 8077148.
