‘Cinderella’ returns as Ballet Manila’s Holiday Cheer Series show
Ballet Manila is all set to give audiences a fairy-tale rush as it brings back Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Cinderella for its Holiday Cheer Series this year.
Combining romance, humor and magic in one thrilling package, Cinderella returns to Aliw Theater on December 25 to 30, with daily shows starting at 4 p.m.
Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Oliveiro, as the Prince and Cinderella, meet and fall in love at first sight in this thrilling scene from Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Cinderella.
Two pairs of principal dancers are alternating in the lead roles of Cinderella and the Prince: Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo (December 25, 27 and 29) and Shaira Comeros and Joshua Enciso (December 26, 28 and 30).
The cast also includes Judith Po as Fairy Godmother, John Balagot as Stepmother, and Jasmine Pia Dames and Stephanie Santiago as the Stepsisters (December 25, 27 and 29) and Stephanie Santiago as Fairy Godmother, John Balagot as Stepmother, and Jessica Pearl Dames and Judith Po as the Stepsisters (December 26, 28 and 30).
The enchantment begins with the first scene featuring forest creatures frolicking about. They turn out to be friends of Cinderella who, mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, find joy and comfort to be in their company. An invitation to a grand ball arrives but Cinderella is excluded; she has no way of attending – until Fairy Godmother steps in with her magic wand and saves the day, but with a warning for the young girl to come back at midnight.
After embarking on a kingdom-wide search for his missing princess, the Prince (Joshua Enciso) finds Cinderella (Shaira Comeros) at last.
Cinderella, transformed into a princess, meets the Prince at the palace and it is love at first sight as they dance the night away. But when the clock strikes 12, she hurriedly departs, leaving behind a glass slipper. The Prince then embarks on a kingdom-wide search to find the missing princess, and when he does, the story naturally concludes with a happy ending.
Oliveiro, who was one of three Cinderellas when the ballet had its premiere run in 2016, is excited to still be dancing the role seven years later. It is a particularly special ballet for her and Sumaylo, whom she is now married to.
“It was our first full-length dancing together, our first full-length as a couple when it was restaged in 2018 and our first when we were already married (in 2022),” the ballerina enthuses.
Similarly, Cinderella is turning out to be memorable for Comeros and Enciso who are a real-life couple too. Comeros notes that it will be their first time dancing together in full-length lead roles. It is also her first time to perform in a full-length ballet as a principal dancer.
Tickets to Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Cinderella are available via ticketworld.com.ph through this direct link: https://bit.ly/BMCinderella2023BuyTickets
